Investment in Skills Starts Here!

Newsletter 1st December 2021 

Mayor of Leicester Officially Opens New Academy

It’s the first day of the festive season and what a week it is already shaping up to be! Yesterday, 30th November, was the official launch of the FC Fashion Technology Academy (Leicester). The day began with our CEO Jenny Holloway being interviewed by Jimmy Carpenter on BBC Radio Leicester. Jenny was joined by stitching learner Kuhinoor and they talked about the academy along with all the skills and up-to-the-minute training it can offer.

Jenny said in the interview: “I don’t think people realise how fantastic working in a factory is, to have all those skills and to be a multi-user of machines, it really is such a skilled craft.”

The day continued with the official opening from 2pm, speakers included City Mayor for Leicester – Peter Soulsby, Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke and Nick Beighton former CEO at ASOS. 

“Big thank-you to Fashion-Enter! It’s a huge honour to work with Jenny and the team, bringing amazing skills to the city.” – Councillor Adam Clarke.

“I am delighted Leicester has shown bravery and vision to Jenny and the Fashion-Enter team.” – Nick Beighton 

The turnout was fantastic with retailers, etailers, manufacturer’s and our generous partners supporting the project include suppliers Triumph Needle and Alvanon, plus fashion etailer I Saw It First.

Herve Andrieu, Vetigraph UK Business Development Manager, said: “We value our time with manufacturers and designers and we train our designers on Vetigraph. The future of Leicester is training and training should be valued, this is an investment for the city!” 

Jenny added: “Thank-you to everyone who attended yesterday 30th November – couldn’t believe how many attended! Great to see everyone face to face. There was a large cross section of people from retailers and etailers including ASOS, ISAWITFIRST, Quiz Clothing, Boohoo, Inthestyle and Next. Plus support from Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), HM Revenue & Customs, De Montfort University, AEW UK Fashion & Textile Association, Hope for Justice Shama Women’s Group et al. Fantastic to see so many manufacturers there too and learners – you’re the ones we are there for!” 

Tap here for the full press release on the official launch day.

phs Invest 20k in FEL Apprenticeships 

A massive thank-you to phs Group on investing 20k in Fashion-Enter’s Apprenticeship programme.

Mike Winstone, HR director at phs said: “This investment in Fashion-Enter demonstrates phs’ commitment to supporting all members of the community into meaningful training, lifelong learning and employment through apprenticeships. Fashion-Enter’s values, to provide equal opportunities to all potential learners mirror our own, and this, alongside its sustainable operational approach made the organisation a perfect charity partner. We hope to build on this partnership, and would encourage other charities to get in touch with us to explore apprenticeship levy opportunities with phs.”

Festive Fashion Food & Fun!

Now we are in December it is surely time to get into the festive spirit and what better way than attending the Fonthill Road Christmas Market this Saturday! If you are in or around the north London area this market is shaping up to be very special with local designers, retailers and makers selling their unique products alongside, family events, music, food and the Christmas light switch on just as the night draws in. 

Fashion-Enter will be coordinating 22 stalls at the Fonthill Road Christmas Market, Saturday 4th December – 11am – 6pm Fonthill Road, London N4 – right next to Finsbury Park tube, rail and bus station.

The market and on-going business support for the area has been made possible by The Welcome Back Fund, providing councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets and help build back better from the pandemic. This funding builds on the £50 million Reopening High Street Safely Fund (RHSSF) allocated to councils in 2020 and forms part of the wider support government is providing to communities and businesses.

Another Earthling Now On SilkFred

Seeing a brand develop and gain new customers is always very exciting, therefore the Fashion-Enter team were thrilled to hear that the online independent fashion store ‘Silk Fred’ has picked up a selection of Mary’s (Another Earthling) statement headpieces. The designs are perfect for the party season and are available in a selection of colours and finishes. From fully sequinned to scarlet satin Mary’s headbands create a dramatic finishing touch and go rather nicely with a B of London party dress!

Mary comments: “I’m so delighted to have been selected to sell with SilkFred through meeting Fliss on the very first day we opened the workspace, what a wonderful end to the year!”

To view the designs tap here.

Coming Soon…

Spyce Jones – Ethically produced kitchenware made with love in the heart of Wales.

Mail order has come home, made ethically with love in Wales. The team have created kitchenware essentials in unique, sustainable prints, courtesy of our on-site Kornit Digital Presto printer, including aprons, tea towels and oven gloves. Shop with us and support the Fashion-Enter Newtown team along with the ‘Made in Wales’ legacy.

Visit: www.spycejones.com 

Law & Ethics

Nick Gould, our Legal Eagle, Partner/Solicitor at Aria Grace Law has provided excellent support and advice to our members and start-up brands over the years. In this latest post Nick, along with barristers Paul Marshall and Flora Page are championed for ethically doing the right thing, despite the odds stacked against them. Read all about “The Great Post Office Scandal” and how fairness does actually come about if you persevere. Tap here to read the LinkedIn post.

Sad Passing of a Creative Pioneer

We were saddened to hear about the untimely loss of Virgil Abloh. The creative director of Off-White, and menswear creative director at Louis Vuitton, Virgil was instrumental in the perception of blackness within the luxury fashion sector. Our thoughts go out to his family and close friends. 

Educational Factory Tours

This week we welcomed students from Bishop Stopford school, Kettering and the University of Manchester for an insightful educational tour of the factory and the fashion manufacturing process. 

One student said: “I learnt how garments are made in the factory and how they are designed so perfectly to fit the customers. The workers look really happy and it seems like a nice, relaxed environment to work. It was fun coming here.”

Another added: “I found out about the process of making clothes and got the whole picture of the fashion supply chain, it was very useful.”

To find out about our factory tours, seminars and CPPD’s tap here.

Masterclasses, Courses and Events

On-going short courses in Stitching and Pattern Cutting available – to find out more visit our FCFTA website or contact education@fashion-enter.com

Free Sewing Masterclasses (Weekly for Islington Residents)

Fonthill Road Christmas Market 4th December 11am – 6pm. Shop local fashion, crafts, jewellery and food

Discover 5 Key Strategies to Make 2022 Your Best Year Ever! (Free – FC Designer Workspace)

Diva Choice – Cupcakes & Cocktails Shopping Event – FC Designer Collective 18th December

Optitex 3-day Course (18 – 20 January)

Gerber 3-day Course (26 – 28 January)

Fabric Swatch of the Week

This week we’ve picked out a gold / champagne satin, ideal for creating a draped cowl top or slinky dress, available from the FCFabricStudio at £6 per metre.

This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

This week we explore how the pandemic has triggered a wave of change, and in particular a growth in the fitness and outdoor activity market alongside eco-conscious product options: Sportswear Starts to Move Towards Sustainability.

And Finally…

In keeping with December’s festivities the Fashion-Enter team in Wales have organised a Secret Santa for the 16th, while the FC Designer Collective in north London will provide the location for the second Diva Choice Cupcake & Cocktails – Sip & Shop event on the 18th! 

Until next time, have a great week!