<< back to Newsletters

Leading the Way

15-11-2024   


Newsletter 10th January 2024

New Year New Cohort

A warm welcome to our latest Level 1 and 2 Stitching and Pattern cohorts! These 5 to 10 week courses have successfully trained hundreds of learners in the art of industrial stitching and pattern cutting. The latest cohort began on Monday, however these roll-on courses have start dates throughout the year at our Haringey, Leicester and Islington campuses. If you are unemployed or low income (below £23,302.50), over 19-years-old, you could be eligible to join some of our courses for free.

Email: education@fashion-enter.com to enquire.

Talking Profitable Pricing

This morning, 10th January, FEL founder Jenny Holloway provided her expert advice on how to accurately cost a garment. From materials, labour, shipping and sales, to brand target market, there are a lot of elements to consider when pricing. Jenny discussed all this and more in our free masterclass series, held for 1-hour via Zoom, these sessions really take an in-depth look into the business of fashion and provide excellent support and advice.

At the end of the session attendees were invited to discuss their projects and ask questions, these ranged from recommended unit quantities to working with the micro factory and the on demand printing service. Feedback at the end of the session was fantastic, with many saying how helpful and informative the masterclass had been and how Jenny had explained everything clearly.  

Our next free masterclass will take place Wednesday 31st January and will cover the topic: Financial Foundations: Navigating the First Steps of Finance for Micro Businesses tap to find out more and join and a link will be emailed to you closer to the date.

Classes and Courses Not to Miss

We have entered the month of January at a full scale sprint to offer a wide range of workshops and courses from upcycling fun to 3D tech know-how. 

If you are interested in finding out more about creating with innovative Style3D software we are hosting a free 1-hour introduction on Thursday 18th January from 10am, just tap the link below to receive a Zoom link closer to the date.

Taking place this month:

Style3D:

15th – 17th January Style3D for Beginners – £199 – Haringey campus

18th January Unlocking the Power of Style3D in Fashion and Design – 1-hour, free introduction to Style3D via Zoom

22nd – 24th January Style3D for Beginners – £199 – Haringey campus

29th – 31st January Style3D for Beginners – £199 – Haringey campus

Optitex:

23rd – 25th January Optitex Technology 2D and 3D 3-day course (Plus 1-month free trial licence £599 – Haringey campus)

Stitching:

20th January Saturday Stitching Club – Introduction to Sewing – £25 – Islington campus Durham Road

27th January Saturday Stitching Club – Creating a Skirt – £25 – Islington campus Durham Road

Pattern Cutting:

20th January Saturday Pattern Cutting Classes – Week 1 Made to Measure Skirt – £25 – Islington campus Durham Road

27th January Saturday Pattern Cutting Classes – Week 2 Bodice and Sleeves – £25 – Islington campus Durham Road

Repair and Upcycle:

16th January Repair and Upcycle Drop-In Workshop (FC Designer Collective Fonthill Road – free)

Half Term 4-Day Courses:

12th February 4 Day Beginners Stitching course

12th February 4 Day Beginners Pattern Cutting course

Exemplar Courses Delivered at FEL

The Skills and Education Group External Moderation Report has now gone live and states that exemplar courses have been delivered to learners at Fashion-Enter.

The Quality Director of the Capital City Group has recently completed a deep dive into the fashion and textile provision at Fashion-Enter. The conclusion was that Fashion-Enter is providing courses which have achievements above the national level. This is reflected in the work seen at this review.

FEL founder Jenny Holloway comments: “We have worked with SEG for over 12-years now and they always put us through our paces. We understand the importance of ensuring our quality assurance is transparent and to the highest levels achievable. This report really highlights how strong our FTA team is – the feedback from our learners really says it all too!”

Educational Assistant Manager, Divya Kamath added: “On December 22nd 2023, I accompanied Jenny on the moderation and it was a my first audit with SEG. It was a really interesting audit where I learnt how thorough SEG is and how deeply they audit. I am very much impressed with how the process works. Thank-you to SEG for all your on-going support and guidance. Here’s to 24!”   

Congratulations to FEL’s New Head of FTA

FEL are delighted to announce the promotion of our Senior Tutor Lan to the role of Head of the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA).

Deputy CEO Jackie Bertram said: “Lan has excelled in her role as Senior Tutor at Fashion-Enter and very much deserves this promotion to Head of FTA.

“This past year she has led from the front, stretched her learners and team and created a learning environment that is inclusive and creative. Lan took on the extra responsibility of being an assessor and has also created the Level 3 Fashion and Business course, which is an excellent achievement alongside her role as Senior Patterns Tutor.

“Lan’s drive, commitment and enthusiasm is exactly what this role needs and I look forward to seeing the FTA develop under her leadership.”

Great Vibe and Lovely Positive Teachers

The FC Designer Workspace team began the new year with a fully booked Repair and Upcycle Workshop. On 4th January the doors opened to welcome individuals with their personal projects that included straight forward repairs along with some reworking of their items to either fit better or personalise the style.

The aim of these workshops is to give the public the confidence and skills to repair and upcycle so that they keep garments in circulation for longer. There is a minimum booking fee of £10, so the Workshop provides excellent value and teaches skills that can last a lifetime.

Feedback from the Workshop was brilliant:

“I learnt how to use an industrial overlocker and sewing machine. Everyone was so friendly and willing to help.”

“This is a great workshop! Really helpful and super affordable. I would definitely recommend to friends.”

“Lovely and very helpful staff members. Comfortable environment. Will be back again.”

“Such a great vibe and lovely positive teachers. Had such a good time.”

“I gained confidence to do darts, also change the structure of a skirt. Also very motivating – thank-you.”

The next Repair and Upcycle Workshop at the FC Designer Workspace will take place Friday 16th February – tap here to book – places are already going fast.

This Saturday: Kimono Jacket Workshop

Taking place this Saturday 13th January, Nim, founder of Out of Stock Studio, is teaching a kimono jacket making class. Choose from a variety of luxury fabrics and spend the day making your own kimono jacket.

Please note this class is not suitable for complete beginners, however if you can sew in a straight line, you’ll be fine. Plus, Nim can help you with any tricky bits).

This 1-day workshop takes place at the FC Designer Workspace, Durham Road, to find out more and book tap here.

Looking for a Web Design Service?

The FEL team can highly recommend Midori Design Studio, a full-service digital agency that offers a range of services to help businesses thrive in the online world. Midori founders, Kelly and Miles, have worked with numerous fashion clients, including FEL, and understand the strategies and requirements that a fashion business needs. From digital design to search engine optimization (SEO), web development, and social media, Kelly and Miles offer a professional and friendly service.

Tap here to find out more. 

A Repair Resolution!

The United Repair Centre London has started to provide a high quality repair service for Rapha, the premium quality cycle wear brand, alongside Patagonia. Brands are invited to join the repair revolution, to find out more please contact: letsrepair@unitedrepaircentre.com 

This Week on FashionCapital…

According to a new survey, Fashioning The Future, by the Fashion Retail Academy, today’s Gen Z fashion students have aspirations to be their own bosses. Tap the link to read more on this story: Gen Z Fashion Students Aspire to Start their own Business when they Graduate

And Finally…

A big thank-you to Norv and Josie from The Bureau, for last week’s HOPE-FX photoshoot – the shots look awesome! The HOPE-FX project brings true fashion and creativity into mental health and wellbeing. Jenny commented: “This is a new way forward in mental health today – this integration with skills and business giving people a purpose and providing HOPE – works.

“This would not have been possible without Sir Norman Lamb Jinjer Kandola MBE and Dr Nina Browne. The caseworkers and supporters from Barnet Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, together they are the North London Mental Health Partnership, have all worked as one to make the project work! Along with members of the FEL team – Beth Davy-Day and Ana Cover and top notch printing from Kornit Digital. 

“Now we wait for the professionals to edit the photos and we’re ready to go to the next stage. Can’t wait! Zac Holloway HOPE-FX was your idea – be proud X.” 

Until next time, have a great week,

From the Team at FashionCapital 




<< back to Newsletters