Kornit UK X Fashion – Enter Innovation Centre

Newsletter 23rd February 2022 

The Kornit Innovation Centre at Fashion-Enter

Next week, on the 3rd and 4th March, the Kornit UK innovation Centre will open its doors to fashion and manufacturing businesses. In collaboration with us Fashion-Enter Ltd, this will showcase the excellent capabilities of end-to-end on-site production that will empower brands and Made in the UK manufacturing.

Fashion-Enter Production Director, Caroline Ash comments: “Kornit is the most sustainable printing machine in the world, and we only want the best!”

Fashion businesses, brands and suppliers are invited to come and see for themselves Kornit technology in action, combined with Zünd’s D3 Digital Cutting technology to create a micro-factory that is responsive to customer demand while remaining totally sustainable.

If you would like to come along register via this link: please note places are limited.

View the Fashion-Enter X Kornit video.

This technology is a huge step forward for the fashion and manufacturing sector and we are thrilled to be sharing this micro-factory concept. 

SMARTCymru R & D Collaborative Project

Combining Welsh wool and recycling…

Last week we reported on the fantastic news that Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales have forged a relationship with Potter Group, the largest private waste management company in Wales. Together they have developed a Feasibility Study into the creation of a closed loop textile recycling system that will produce novel fibres for use in the production of new types of wool-blend yarns for manufacturing woven cloths for fashion apparel. After 18-months in planning and development SMARTCymru have agreed to further research and create this novel yarn with the Welsh Government.

Last Friday (18th February 2022) a kick off meeting took place with SMARTCymru and the project is underway.

FEL Wales Commercial Manager,  Eddie Bebb, comments: “Having been brought up in the Welsh speaking hill farming community in Staylittle (nearly 1,000 feet above sea level) I know how glorious the summers can be but also how very harsh the winters are.Welsh hill sheep are not the biggest in stature but they are one of the most hardy breeds and can survive in the most adverse conditions.

“Wool production has always played a very important part in the delicate balance of life in the Welsh hill farming community and as such it would be fantastic if this project could have a positive impact on the dwindling demand for Welsh wool.

“ln my role as Manager of FEL Wales and as project lead I am very much looking forward to the development of this program and rolling out to a large recycling program that will benefit all of Wales and especially hill farmers in the future.”

Read more about this project here.

Community Renewal Fund Leicester Update

Last week (16th February 2022) Fashion Technology Academy (Leicester) embarked on a program to deliver the Level 1 Award in Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation to its first cohort of factory workers. This is part of the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) which is being funded by the UK Government. 

FTA (Leicester) Manager, Jackie said: “The engagement and enthusiasm is in the room was fantastic and we are looking forward to our next visit.” 

The team has gone on to forge strong relationships with local factories, businesses and job centres. Along with the Level 1 and 2 courses in Stitching we have several factories interested in recruiting apprentices. Over the next few months we will work with participating factories with one-to-one factory visits incorporating compliance (81 steps), significant findings and action plans. 

Additionally, we will be creating a one-stop Leicestershire fashion industry website. The tender has gone out for the development of this site and we have now selected a winning tender. More on this soon. 

It’s time to showcase the pride of Leicestershire’s manufacturing industry.

Learn From Our Experts Online

Due to popular demand we are now offering an online masterclass package deal so you can get all your fashion industry knowledge in one place. In these 4 masterclasses by industry expert Carley Johnson you will hear her advice on:

+ How much money do you need to invest till you break even?

+ When is the right time to launch my collection?

+ Finding your niche

+ Market and audience research

+ Pricing strategy

+ How to find the right 3rd party platform for your fashion brand

+ How to pitch

The 4 masterclasses are available to replay and rewatch with a one-time payment of £20. 

To buy the package click here and add ‘How to grow sales with Fashion Wholesale expert Carley Johnson’ to your basket!

Attention Fashion Studio Clients

Gee from the Fashion Studio has asked if clients could please come in and collect any leftover fabrics and trims by 7th March as the team need the storage space. Thank-you. 

Factory Insight Visits From ASOS & Asda

This past week we have held Factory Tour visits for staff from George at Asda and ASOS. These insightful seminars and tours fully explain each step of the production process from costings to pattern cutting along with new technologies, ethical compliance, workers’ rights and more. 

Feedback from both groups was excellent and Production Director Caroline Ash ensured key areas were covered in line with the attendees job roles. 

Feedback included: “Such a great presentation and tour, I learnt so much about the whole process. Really interesting to hear about how the 3D pattern cutting systems are used.”

If you’re interested in a factory tour or CPPD email: jenni@fashion-enter.com 

Learn Tech Design & Pattern Cutting CAD – Online & in Class 1-Day a week

Perfect for womenswear designers, graduates, start-ups and established brands, this accredited Telestia course will teach you how to design your ideas accurately and technically using a combination of hand and computer design tools. This is a unique method and approach to ensure the perfect fit, size, shape and style.

This course combines 12 weekly Saturday classes (from 12th March) at the FC Designer Workspace with 12 weeks online tutor support. Tap here to find out more and book your place.

Masterclasses and Courses

Today we have had Mark Dodds passing on his expertise on sustainable fabrics. Thank-you to all that attended, Mark certainly knows his stuff and this is such an important and developing area of the industry.

Next on the Agenda:

Optitex 2D & 3D 3-Day Course (1 March)

Fashion-Enter Ltd & Kornit Digital – Innovation in Manufacturing (3 & 4 March – for manufacturers’)

Technical Design and Pattern Cutting CAD Course (12 March 12-weekly Saturday classes with online support)

Meet Designer Louisa Parris (17 March – free)

Gerber 3-day course for beginners (6 – 8 April)

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Sewing rooms need more than a good selection of fabrics, they also need haberdashery staples such as elastic waistbands, bra clasps, trims, binding, shoulder pads and more. Check out our affordable range at the FCFabricStudio.

This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

New research has shown that UK shoppers have little or no idea what they’re actually buying – and which choices are more sustainable – when it comes to a range of materials commonly used in clothing and fashion items, including the likes of vegan leather. Tap here to read the full article.

And Finally…

Don’t miss out on our free industry talk with successful womenswear designer Louisa Parris. Louisa’s graphic, statement designs are stocked with the likes of Selfridges and Net-a-Porter. Hear how she has  successfully developed her brand on the 17th March at the FC Designer Workspace.

Until next time, have a great week!