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Newsletter 16th October 2024
Discussing AI in Fashion
FEL’s Founder and CEO, Jenny Holloway is moderating at the ASBCI conference – ‘3Rs of AI – Risks, Rewards and Responsibilities’ in Halifax today.
The morning topic is on ‘Artificial Intelligence in Fashion’ and Jenny will be joined by representatives from ASOS, Insider Trends, The Fashion Guild, Recomme and others, to discuss deep probing and provocative questions such as:‘How can the fashion industry create a fair balance between human creativity and AI driven innovation ensuring that designers retain their creative authority?’
The day is set to be full of informative discussion and innovative ideas with an excellent line up of speakers.
(Image of Jenny with Peter Gallagher-Witham from The Fashion Guild)
Machinists Wanted for Family Run Leicester Business
Learn how to machine top quality jersey leggings with Shahtex. We are recruiting for four machinists for Shahtex, a family run circular knitting company.
Shahtex is one of the leading UK producers of seamless garments with a £2 million knitting plant that manufactures and supplies knitted fabrics for high profile clients across leisurewear, sportswear and underwear industries.
Based in Leicester the Fashion Hub team will support with training.
To apply please contact: jo@fashion-enter.com
Fantastic Turn Out for LCB & FEL Mingle and Nibble
Last week, the LCB Depot, a central hub for Leicester’s creative community, held a series of events to celebrate its 20th anniversary. FEL’s Fashion Hub team were on hand to provide talks, workshops and networking.
For FEL the event culminated in a Mingle and Nibble event, an informal networking session that included a few words from:
- Jenny Holloway Founder/CEO FEL
- Peter Chandler, Head of Economic Regeneration at Leicester City Council
- Simon Platts, Co-Founder & Board Advisor Recomme.co / Repurpose
- Fiona Lambert, Author, Board and Brand Advisor
- Adam Clarke, Experienced Project and Programme Manager, Ex-Deputy City Mayor
- Comments from learners and attendees
A huge thank-you to everyone that turned up for the FEL Mingle and Nibble event. The room was a busy blend from all sectors, from fabric agents and manufacturers, to education and designers. It was wonderful to see our graduating learners and hear from inspirational speakers from the industry and council.
The learners stole the evening with their passionate comments on learning and gaining new skills in stitching, patterns and construction, and how they are equipped to start their own brand or are now in employment.
Jenny commented: “Leicester has it all for fashion. This is a new era where the great and the good have come together and are standing proud with their heritage. Retailers and brands need to realise that proximity sourcing from ethical Leicester suppliers for fabrics and manufacturing is the way forward. Time to embrace Leicester.
“Thanks to recomme.co – we’re now live with our Bootcamp program and we’re pleased to announce that we are starting to recruit for Tailors. FEL’s 6R centre is on its way which includes repairs, recycling and reprocessing!
“Happy 20th Birthday LCB Depot!”
Tailor Required for FEL’s Factory & Fashion Studio
At LCB Depot’s 20th anniversary celebration FEL CEO Jenny Holloway announced the start of recruitment for tailors via the Skills Bootcamp Training program with Leicester City Council.
FEL is now looking for a highly skilled Tailor to join our team in North London. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional sewing skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of fabrics and garment construction. The candidate will play a crucial role in producing high-quality garments that meet FEL’s exacting standards and exceed client expectations.
To apply for this role please contact: claire@fashion-enter.com
Save the Date: New Soft Furnishings Upcycling Workshop
There is so much discussion over fast fashion and garment landfill issues but we forget about waste from the soft furnishings sector.
Fortunately for us ReFab Studio has been on a mission to stop this waste and we’re delighted to confirm that we are hosting ReFab at our FC Designer Collective shop at 113-115 Fonthill Road Islington, close to Finsbury Park tube station.
Save the date: Thursday 21st of November from 10am – 4pm, learn how to upcycle soft furnishings with ReFab Studio.
10 people max – first come first served
Cost PP: £75
To register for this event please email: beth@fashion-enter.com
Tomorrow Join Jenny at Evolution of Finance for Businesswomen
FEL’s CEO, Jenny Holloway is billed as a keynote speaker for an inspirational, female-led business event. Taking place tomorrow 17th October, the Evolution of Finance for Businesswomen features 10 inspirational speakers to provide strategies and advice for those aspiring to step into the business world.
Taking place at Bromley Old Town Hall, this transformative event aims to advise, support, connect and innovate female-led business growth and success.
To find out more and to book your place tap here
Financial Advice for FCDW Residents and Students
Islington Council have kindly organised financial advice and support with Business Specialists from Barclays. Taking place on Wednesday 30th October, business owners and residents at the FC Designer Workspace, along with students and individuals from Space4, will receive essential financial advice. Ranging from ways to access financing, money confidence, to managing an account.
Many thanks to Islington Council for providing this important workshop.
For more advice and support on financial or legal matters visit FashionCapital’s Advice and Support page. The latest post is from Victoria Hall, Partner at Aria Grace Law CIC on Employment Law and HR Practice.
Anti-Slavery Day 18th October
Anti-Slavery Day takes place this Friday 18th October and aims to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery, and to encourage wide scale solutions. Last week, Divya from FEL’s Fashion Hub in Leicester attended the launch event of the ‘Know Your Rights at Work’ multilingual booklet organised by Labour Behind the Label.
She said: “The multilingual booklet is an excellent resource, over 60% of learners on our Level 1 Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation course has limited English Language skills, so the booklet will provide essential information to empower workers on their employment rights and how to tackle exploitation.” Tap here for more information.
Masterclasses and Courses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Stitching:
19th Oct – Saturday Stitching Club – Creating a Dress (Intermediate) – FC Designer Workspace – £30
28th – 31st Oct – 4-Day Beginners Stitching course – FC Designer Workspace – £100
9th Nov – Saturday Stitching Club – Introduction to Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £30
Pattern Cutting:
19th Oct – Saturday Pattern Cutting Class: Made to Measure Skirt – FC Designer Workspace – £35
9th Nov – Saturday Pattern Cutting Class: Made to Measure Basic Bodice and Sleeves – FC Designer Workspace – £35
Tailoring:
12th Nov – 10th Dec – 1 Day a Week Introduction to Soft Tailoring Techniques for Beginners – FC Designer Workspace – £150
Repair and Upcycling Drop In:
12th Nov – Drop in Repair and Upcycling Workshop – FC Designer Collective shop – (Free, supported by Islington Council)
Business Advice and Support:
30th Oct –Top 10 Tips to Create a Strong Team and Partnership with your Manufacturer– Free
Style3D:
For those interested in Style3D please scan the QR Code below.
Next 3-day course dates include:
25th- 27th November 2024
25th-29th January 2025
Contact us: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
Throughout October, in line with Wool Month, FashionCapital takes a deep dive into Peruvian materials and how their traditions and techniques can inspire textiles and fashion today. Textiles of Peru Part 2: The Process From Fleece to Yarn
And Finally…
Jenny Holloway and the FEL team were deeply saddened to hear that FEL’s Head of Compliance, Nigel Rust, has passed away. Nigel was a core part of the team, working on FEL’s ethical compliance and delivering his informative business workshops to support start-up brands.
Jenny said: “Nigel was a rock solid intelligent man who had a heart of gold. I first met Nigel at MAS before he had his own consultancy and I just loved his depth of knowledge and his sincerity.
“He genuinely cared about every single person and business he mentored including us all at FEL. At one point we employed Nigel for three days a week and he was a major contributor to our ethical and compliant factory.
“Sincere condolences to his wife, relatives and friends. FEL and the industry will miss Nigel.”
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital
