Make UK Loud and Proud!

Newsletter 22nd June 2022

Next Stop Newtown…

It has been a beautifully busy time with the Fashion-Enter team this past week, the Leicester Meet & Greet event was a great success (more on this in a moment), the innovative novel yarn project has reached an exciting stage and we’ve had some high profile confirmations for Made in Wales  – The Fashion Event. 

Wales

The Baroness to Attend Made in Wales

The Baroness Morgan of Ely, MS for Mid & West Wales – Minister for Health & Social Services, has confirmed that she will attend and speak at the Made in Wales – The Fashion Event on 8th July.

The Baroness  comments: “As a proud supporter of Fashion-Enter and Newtown College, I am looking forward to celebrating a wealth of local design and manufacturing talent at their ‘Made in Wales’ fashion show!

“This is a such fantastic opportunity for talented local students to work with leading industry professionals to develop their own fabrics and designs and I am very much looking forward to viewing their creations!

“Pryce Jones, one of the first entrepreneurs to develop mail order, led Newtown to lead the world in clothing manufacturing and counted Queen Victoria among his clientele – 100 years on, with the return of the Laura Ashley factory and such high-quality events, it’s great to see Newtown reclaim its place on the UK’s fashion map!”

Also confirmed to attend and speak:

+ Phil Oakley, UK Director at Kornit Digital

+ Russell George, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Montgomeryshire

+ Simon Platts, Director of Responsible Sourcing for ASOS

Made in Wales – The Fashion Event will be hosted by S4C’s BAFTA Cymru-winning presenter Mari Lövgreen. Tickets are free but limited so don’t miss out on the event of the season! Tap here to register your attendance.

A Major Breakthrough in the Creation of Novel Yarn

As Fashion-Enter heads into the last week of their SMARTCymru novel yarn programme the team achieved a major breakthrough in the creation of an innovative mixed fibre that utilises waste.

The FEL team met with Dr Muhammad Tausif, Deputy Head of School: Academic and Enterprise, Professor in Sustainable Textile Manufacturing at his lab at Leeds University, and on 17th June 2022 saw the successful combination of SNR (Synthetic Nylon Rummage, from discarded clothing) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate, from clear plastic bottles) to create a green yarn. The resulting yarn stretches and pings, a fantastic result as this is a sign of good fibre strength. Now we are combining this green yarn with virgin Welsh wool, with the aim is to create a yarn that will be at least 50% virgin Welsh wool. 

To read about the novel yarn project to date tap here.

Leicester

Meet & Greet Showcases Vibrant & Thriving Industry

The Meet & Greet event, last Thursday 16th June, included dedicated showcase spaces for 30 local garment factories and textile businesses, as well as displays from seven local designers to demonstrate the high standards, craftsmanship and quality of their garment and textile work.

Three local schools came along to learn about garment production and careers and the event culminated in a fashion show, celebrating the vibrancy of talent in Leicester. Fashion-Enter worked closely with a local fashion designer Millie and the Mode Collective to co-ordinate, choreograph and stage the show, which included spoken word, rap and some amazing dance routines. 

Fashion teams from big names including; ASOS, I Saw it First, Quiz, Solander, the Very group, and boohoo attended the event, making links and networking with local Leicester factories, to help identify future business opportunities. It was also attended by lots of fashion start-ups, independents and entrepreneurs.  

Deputy City Mayor Cllr Adam Clarke said: “Our engagement with Fashion-Enter is part of our strategic approach to redefining Leicester’s garment industry. We’re determined to promote what the sector does well and to raise standards through this partnership whilst working partners with enforcement powers to drive out exploitation and maladministration as we await more decisive Government action to be taken nationally to tackle these problems.

“The Fashion Academy is doing great work, not only in training local people to enter the industry, but also in making links between local suppliers and industry buyers, ensuring that factories and brands are operating at the high standards we want to see. Shorter supply chains are surely the way forward in making the garment industry more sustainable, ethical and accountable.”

Tejas Shah – Sales Director at Shahtex said: “It was a fantastic event and I am proud of the exhibitors who showcased fantastic garments and proved that Leicester manufacturing is well and truly alive.”

Moshin Musa – MD Gossamer Productions added: “Great show meeting lots of people – Meet and Greet is definitely NOT old fashioned – can’t wait to see what the future holds.” 

Tap here to read all about the event

Leicester Made Online Directory

To coincide with the Meet & Greet the team officially launched the ‘Leicester Made’ online directory. Leicester Made is free to use for anyone, UK or overseas, who would like to source and make in Leicester.

Leicester is at the heart of textiles and garment making in the UK, and has a diverse mix of talented and ethically minded businesses. This directory showcases a selection of these businesses ranging from; printers, knitwear manufacturers, fashion houses through to fabric, embroidery and label services. Leicester truly offers the full end-to-end supply base for textiles and garment making.

Tap here to visit Leicester Made

Haringey

UK National Manufacturing Day 2022

UK National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for manufacturers’ to showcase their range of highly skilled staff, services and jobs they have on offer by throwing open their doors in a UK wide Open House. 

Taking place on Thursday 7 July 2022. Fashion-Enter Ltd will be taking part with the offer of a behind-the-scenes look at the inside of our ethical and compliant factory in Haringey, London.

Join us at either 11am or 3pm for a guided factory tour from Fashion-Enter’s Production Director Caroline Ash and gain firsthand insight into the complete garment life cycle.

To book your place on this free UK National Manufacturing Day factory tour with us please contact: jenni@fashion-enter.com 

Learn Stitching or Patterns for Free

Just a few more days until the start of the next 5-week Level 1 courses in stitching or pattern cutting. If you are unemployed or low income (below £21,157), over 19 years-old and living in a London borough, you could be eligible to join this course for free! Upskill your CV today, email: education@fashion-enter.com to enquire.

Islington

Repair & Upcycle Workshop This Friday

Join us this Friday for the Repair & Upcycling workshop! Each month we will teach you how to modify your thrifts & existing clothes instead of throwing them out! Friday 24th June, 10am – 2pm at the FC Designer Workspace, 9, Durham Road, Finsbury Park, N7 7FB.

Click here to book your place or turn up at the workspace in time! 

Free Business Masterclass New Date

Due to the rail strike this week we have rescheduled the free business masterclass with Sally Leonard. Sally produces her own range of high-end ethical jewellery pieces alongside working as a business consultant for over 15-years, supporting & mentoring creative businesses & start-ups.

In this free session Sally will cover topics such as how you pay yourself, who you should work with, plus more business-related questions. This free business masterclass takes place on Thursday 30th June at the FC Designer Workspace in Finsbury Park and is supported by the Islington Business Recovery Fund.

Places are limited for more info & to book tap here.

In-Store Anaqaa Apparel Event

On Saturday 16th July  12 – 5pm the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road will be hosting an in-store event featuring exclusive designs from Anaqaa Apparel. Come along to the shop for a preview of new designs by ALAS by Anaqaa Apparel, special event discounts, music, canapés and more. 

FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH. Close to Finsbury Park tube station.

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses (Next start date 27th June) 

How to Grow Sales downloadable masterclasses with Carley Johnson

Free Sewing masterclasses in Islington (Throughout May & June)

Free Business Masterclass with Sally Leonard (30th June)

Gerber Accumark 3-day course for Beginners (6th July)

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Did you see the gorgeous 1930’s inspired gowns created by the remaining contestants on the current series of the Great British Sewing Bee? The 30’s certainly oozed glamour and with this in mind we have picked out this champagne satin, perfect for a draped back dress or a bias cut skirt. Available now at £6- per metre.

This Week on FashionCapital

Nick Gould Partner / Solicitor at www.aria-grace.com has been providing us with his legal advice and expertise for over 12-years, here he questions setting up, or the beginnings of a new business in the UK, and whether you can access valuable support and advice. If you have a question for Nick email: info@fashioncapital.co.uk 

And Finally…

Would you like to upskill over the summer? Join us for the Gerber course for beginners starting on the 13th of July, where you will learn about…Pattern Design, AccuMark Explorer, Digitising, Pattern input using a digitiser and more. Taught by industry-experienced tutors over 3-days, learn essential skills required for today’s fashion production workplace.

Until next time, have a great week.

The team at FashionCapital