Leicester Made & Regions 2026: First Speakers Revealed
11-03-2026
Newsletter 11th March 2026
LM&R First Three Speakers Are…
With just 44 days to go, excitement is building for Leicester Made & Regions 2026 (LM&R). Alongside an impressive line-up of exhibitors, the event will host keynote speakers who are driving change across retail, manufacturing, innovation and sustainability. The first speakers announced include Tamara Sender Ceron, Joseph Mountain and Simon Platts – each bringing extensive industry expertise and insight into the evolving fashion landscape.
(Tamara Sender Ceron)
Tamara Sender Ceron, Associate Principal Fashion Retail Research at Mintel, is a respected analyst with more than 15 years’ experience researching global fashion retail markets and consumer behaviour, with a particular interest in sustainability and innovation.
(Joseph Mountain)
Joseph Mountain, Sustainability Manager at N Brown Group and founder of Future Fashion Fair, has been recognised in Drapers’ 30 Under 30 for his work in responsible business and material innovation.
(Simon Platts)
Completing the first speaker announcement is Simon Platts, a fashion and textile industry leader with over 40 years’ experience in sourcing, sustainability and supply chain transformation, currently co-founder of SP & KO consultancy and advisor to several organisations across the sector.
For more information on Leicester Made and Regions and to register to attend tap here.
For further information, exhibiting opportunities or press enquiries, please contact beth@fashion-enter.com
Leicester Designer Drop-In – A Great Success
The recent Leicester Designer Drop-In event proved to be a huge success, welcoming designers, entrepreneurs and industry professionals to the Fashion Hub at Phoenix House on King Street. Hosted in partnership with the Apparel and Textiles Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) and supported by LCB Depot, the open-door session created a relaxed space for emerging and established designers to connect, share ideas and explore opportunities within Leicester’s fashion manufacturing sector.
Visitors met Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO and ATMF Chair Jenny Holloway, toured the fully equipped sampling and production facilities and discovered how the Fashion Hub supports designers from sample development through to scalable UK manufacturing. Designers travelled from across the UK to attend, including one brand visiting from Wales, while experienced professionals such as Anne Foxley-Green and designer Millie Fullalove generously offered guidance and mentoring to start-ups. The event highlighted Leicester’s strong collaborative fashion community, with further networking sessions planned following the launch of Canopy in partnership with Leicester City Council.
Designers interested in accessing Leicester’s Fashion Hub facilities can contact: divya@fashion-enter.com
ReFAB Studio Free Tote Bag Workshop – 13th March
ReFAB Studio will host its second free creative workshop on Friday 13th March, offering participants the opportunity to make a tote bag while developing practical sewing skills. Designed for beginners and those returning to sewing, the workshop focuses on building confidence and accuracy when using industrial sewing machines.
Participants will learn how to insert zips, construct and finish a bag, and explore ways to repurpose textile remnants sustainably. All materials and equipment are provided, including access to industrial machines and a step-by-step guide to take home. Delivered in a relaxed and supportive environment, the session encourages creativity, focus and confidence through hands-on making.
Friday 13th March from 10:00am – 4:00pm at FC Designer Workspace, 9 Durham Road, London N7
Please note these workshops are free of charge tap here to register. If you are unable to attend, please provide 48 hours’ notice so the place can be offered to another community member.
Talking Social Value
Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway is speaking today at the Social Value Impact Report event with Islington Council, sharing insights into the growing importance of measuring positive social outcomes within organisations. Social value reporting highlights the broader benefits businesses create for individuals and communities beyond financial performance.
The FC Designer Workspace in Islington continues to lead in this area by prioritising community engagement, skills development and accessible creative opportunities. Through training, employment pathways and collaborative initiatives, the workspace demonstrates how fashion education and manufacturing can contribute to meaningful social impact.
Jenny Holloway Comments in Just-Style Industry Article
Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO and ATMF Chair Jenny Holloway has been quoted in a recent Just-Style.com article examining purchasing practices within UK fashion manufacturing. The article references findings from the report Who Pays? Brand Purchasing Practices in UK Fashion Manufacturing, produced by researchers from the University of Nottingham and the University of Leicester in partnership with Transform Trade.
The survey revealed significant challenges facing manufacturers, including cancelled orders, last-minute changes without compensation and delayed payments. In response, Jenny reiterated her support for the introduction of a UK Garment Trading Adjudicator to help rebalance relationships between brands and suppliers. She emphasised the need for fairer practices while also ensuring that any regulatory approach supports the growth of UK manufacturing and encourages more public procurement contracts to be produced domestically.
Prevent Training Delivered Across FTA
On 5th March 2026, tutors and staff from Fashion-Enter Ltd and the Fashion Technology Academy across Haringey, Islington and Leicester participated in an online safeguarding session delivered by Prevent Education Officer Tishya Desai. The training focused on the UK’s Prevent duty, part of the national counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST, which aims to safeguard individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation.
For organisations working with students, apprentices and employees, such training is an essential component of maintaining safe and inclusive learning environments. With hundreds of learners engaging in education and skills programmes each year, Fashion-Enter Ltd and the Fashion Technology Academy remain committed to safeguarding, ensuring staff are equipped to recognise potential vulnerabilities and provide appropriate support when needed.
John Herrera’s Classes Receive Outstanding Feedback
Students attending recent classes with visiting couture designer John Herrera have given exceptional feedback, describing the sessions as some of the best fashion courses they have attended in London. Herrera, who led a corset-making class on 7th March, was praised for his patience, expertise and supportive teaching style, with participants highlighting how much they learned during the session.
Upcoming classes with John include a Drop-in Sewing Evening Session, where participants can work on their own projects with guidance and access to professional equipment, and an Introduction to Smocking class on 14th March, exploring the traditional embroidery technique and its contemporary applications.
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice
Drop-In Sewing:
13th March – After work drop in Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £20 + eventbrite fee
Smocking:
14th March – Introduction to Smocking – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Pattern Cutting:
16th & 17th March – Introduction to Pattern Making: Dress block – FTA Haringey – £70 + eventbrite fee
Corset Making:
21st March – Saturday Introduction to Corset Making – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Fabric Manipulation and Textile Embellishment:
28th March – Fabric Manipulation and textile Embellishment Saturday Class — FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
24th March – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
(Image: MOSSI AW26)
Paris Fashion Week AW26: Power Shoulders, Precision Tailoring and the Rising Voices of the Season
And Finally…
Today, 11th March, the Drapers Sustainable Fashion Conference and Awards brings together visionary leaders, industry pioneers and changemakers to explore the next chapter in ethical and circular fashion. From improving working conditions to advancing recycling, repair and traceability, the event highlights the key issues shaping the future of the industry while celebrating the progress already being made. Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter Ltd, will be attending the conference and awards today, and we wish all those shortlisted the very best of luck. Fashion can never be truly sustainable, but it can always strive to be better and those working to drive meaningful change across the sector deserve recognition and applause.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
