Leicester Made Trade Event 2025
04-12-2024
Newsletter 27th November 2024
Save the Date…17th April 2025
We are thrilled to announce the return of a much-needed trade event that brings together a diverse and vibrant selection of Leicester’s textile and apparel businesses. Scheduled for Thursday 17th April, the event will provide an opportunity for Leicester suppliers to network and promote their services to industry as well as sell to the public.
FEL Founder and CEO Jenny Holloway said:“Our previous Leicester ‘Meet & Greet’ trade show in 2022 was a great success with exhibitors benefiting from the contacts they made to this day. Leicester is full of ethical and proud suppliers and we want to help join those dots and promote these businesses as a sustainable way forward for the industry, economy and planet.”
More on the Leicester Made trade event soon.
Collaborating with Twin Employment and Training
Divya, from FEL’s Fashion Hub in Leicester, met with Parul, Director of Twin Employment and Training Leicester to discuss collaborative ways forward.
Twin Employment and Training offers a range of products and services to help jobseekers and employers with work-ready training and employment. Twin matches jobseekers to employers and vice versa, creating the perfect partnership and an effective employment solution.
Parul and Divya discussed workshops aimed at unemployed candidates to build their confidence and gain employability skills. Fashion Hub has now scheduled two 3-hour workshops with Twin and look forward to welcoming the participants for the workshops very soon.
Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy Launch
Next week, on the 4th December FEL’s Jenny Holloway will attend as a guest speaker at the launch of the Newtown Fashion & Textiles Academy. It is fantastic that Powys County Council, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and NPTC Group of Colleges have made the academy a reality. FEL has been working collaboratively supporting on training, course modules and skills development. Senior Tutor Ana Cover has been working with the tutors and students over the past two weeks in the very familiar Pryce Jones Building.
The launch will include speakers from industry and the council, a Laura Ashley exhibition and catwalk show. More from this event next week.
HOPE-FX Receives HSJ Award Recognition
As we mentioned last week, FEL’s HOPE-FX was shortlisted at the HSJ Awards in the Early Intervention and Prevention category. Attending the ceremony on the 21st November was FEL Founder and CEO Jenny Holloway, head tutor Ana Cover and one of the HOPE-FX participants James, alongside representatives from NHS North London Foundation Trust.
Jenny said: “Seeing James, one of the participants on the programme, at the HSJ Awards dinner table, communicating in a relaxed confident way and networking with others at the event was the best reward of the evening! Ana Cover, our amazing educational skills lead on Hope-FX, was there and just looked wonderful. She’s been amazing in her kindness and additional support whenever required.
“We didn’t win on the night, but to be honest we didn’t expect to. This was a small trial that came in under budget! The plans for next year are to double the participants – and we can’t wait! Congrats to all winners and finalists – it was an honour to be there!”
Thank-you to HSJ, NHS North London Foundation Trust, the FEL team, and to the first HOPE-FX cohort, also a special thank-you to Zac Holloway for coming up with the idea!
Tomorrow 28th November: Let’s Talk About Waste and Upcycling
Green Earth Action Foundation is holding a free webinar on How To Upcycle Waste Without Compromising Your Lifestyle! FEL CEO Jenny Holloway will be joining the webinar to discuss upcycling and sustainability tomorrow, Thursday 28th November at 10am. Tap here to register your attendance.
In Production: Band Merch
It’s fantastic to see band merch for the Fontaines D.C. cottoning on to Made in the UK, ethical manufacturing for their products. The FEL factory has been getting busy with these track suits!
Interested in UK production? We can do it all no matter how big or small, talk to us: thefactory@fashion-enter.com
Today’s Free Online Masterclass
This morning, 27th November, Technical Development Director, Claire Solley provided a free 1-hour masterclass on: 12 Step Plan to Develop and Create a Fashion Collection. Attendees, ranging from students and start-ups, watched and listened to Claire’s PowerPoint presentation and could ask specific questions at the end of the session. Topics covered: sampling, documents required for your manufacturer, the fitting process, sealing, grading and more.
We will host one more free masterclass before the end of the year. Taking place on Wednesday 18th December the session will be on: Mastering the Fashion Business Blueprint: Fine-tuning Your Plan for Success. Tap here to register your free place and a Zoom link will be emailed to you closer to the date.
Masterclasses and Courses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Stitching:
Saturday Stitching Club for Nov and Dec SOLD OUT
Pattern Cutting:
7 Dec – Saturday Pattern Cutting Class – Made to Measure Dress – FC Designer Workspace Islington – £35
Repair and Upcycling Drop In:
10 Dec – Repair and Upcycling Drop In Workshop – FC Designer Collective shop – (Free, supported by Islington Council)
Support and Advice:
18 December – Mastering the Fashion Business Blueprint: Fine-tuning Your Plan for Success – Free online masterclass
Style3D:
3 – 5 Dec – 3-Day Style3D Course for Beginners – Haringey – £199
For those interested in Style3D please scan the QR Code below.
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
Move Over Black Friday: FEL Joins the Green Friday Movement
And Finally…Go Green this Black Friday
Being sustainable with the need for making sales isn’t easy, however more designers and brands are choosing not to participate in Black Friday sales reaffirming their values and dedication to slow quality products. Join us this Green Friday with a focus on buying less and buying well, and supporting small or local brands.
6 Green Friday Tips:
Shop local and independent
Visit and buy in store rather than online – lower transportation costs
Choose durable, eco-friendly products that can be reusable and easily repaired
Buy pre-loved
Visit an upcycling / repair class and make unique items
Bring your own bag and say no to unnecessary packaging
If you’re in Islington our shop: FC Designer Collective, 113 – 115 Fonthill Road, London N4, provides affordable products by local designers, haberdashery and hosts monthly repair and upcycling drop in workshops.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital
