Movement for Mental Health

Newsletter 15th May 2024

#mentalhealthawarenessweek

Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May), might seem like yet another annual awareness event to mark the calendar, however this one is very close to our hearts. From working on inspiring projects such as HOPE-FX to our very own CEO undertaking a Level 5 Mental Health First Aid course, mental health matters. Research clearly shows that getting out, exercise and getting immersed in a project can help to improve mood and increase social connectedness.

FEL’s HOPE-FX project gave a group of young people, recovering from mental health conditions, the chance to learn and create their own unique t-shirt designs. The first group of participants completed the project in February and their designs can now be purchased at our FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road.

HOPE-FX works, and the intention is to provide more projects like this in the coming months. From our pop-in Upcycling workshops at the shop to our 5-week Stitching courses, the FEL team has repeatedly seen individuals flourish and grow and this is what encouragement and positivity looks like!

Here is a short YouTube video on the HOPE-FX project:

To find out more about our workshops and courses with our friendly and knowledgeable team tap here.

For more on Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme of ‘Movement’ tap here.

Masterclasses and Courses Coming Up This Month

We can offer after-work evening classes to 1 – 4 day courses throughout the rest of this month…

Stitching:

20th May: Introduction to Sewing evening class– £35 – FC Designer Workspace, Islington

22nd May: Introduction to Sewing evening class– £35 – FC Designer Workspace, Islington

28th – 31st May: 4 Day Beginners Stitching course – £150 – FC Designer Workspace, Islington

Pattern Cutting:

18th May: Saturday Pattern Cutting Class (Made to measure skirt) – £35 – FC Designer Workspace, Islington

28th – 31st May: 4 Day Beginners Pattern Cutting course – £150 – FC Designer Workspace, Islington

Support and Advice: 

29th May: How to Manufacture Your Garments – Part 1 Sampling & Small Run Production – Free from 10am via Zoom please register

Style3D: 

Please contact: education@fashion-enter.com for the next session

Tap here for more dates and classes

Looking for a specific course? Contact us: 0208 809 3311

education@fashion-enter.com www.FCFTA.com 

NEXT Take On 10 More Apprentices

NEXT, the long-established multinational retailer, has confirmed that it will be taking on 10 new Level 4 Fashion and Textiles Product Technologist apprentices this summer. 

Currently FEL has two apprentices on this program, Marcus and Jodie (pictured), both are on their gateway, and are due to complete their end-point assessment shortly. The pair have been exceptional and FEL are thrilled that 10 more will follow in their footsteps.

If you run a fashion business and are thinking about hiring an apprentice we can help. The FEL team prepares apprentices for junior roles across the fashion and textiles industry including fashion studio assistant, product technology, stitching, pattern cutting, production, sourcing and bespoke tailoring.

More details about fashion and textile apprentices for employers can be found here. If you would like to discuss hiring an apprentice please contact: apprenticeships@fashion-enter.com. 

Masterclass: Free Business Advice & Support

Join us for our next free masterclass on ‘How to Manufacture Your Garments – Part 1 Sampling & Small Run Production’. Learn all about the principles of slow fashion, how to protect your designs and ensure that manufacturers adhere to your expectations. 

This free 1-hour masterclass takes place Wednesday 29th May, 10 – 11.00am via Zoom.

Tap here to register your place.

Monthly Repair and Upcycle Drop In’s

Yesterday, 14th May, FEL held its monthly Repair and Upcycle drop-in session at the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road. The session was hosted by Maria and Leyla and attracted a varied group working on clothing repairs and alterations as well as patchwork textiles. Feedback was extremely positive with all ticking ‘excellent’ on their feedback forms.

Thanks to Islington Council for supporting with this monthly initiative. The next session will take place on Tuesday 11th June.

Louisa Parris Sample Sale This Friday

Fashion Studio client Louisa Parris designs beautiful, fluid garments in block bright shades and will be holding a Sample Sale on Friday 17th May 10am – 9pm. Head over to Small Hall, Chelsea Old Town Hall, Kings Road, Kensington & Chelsea, London SW3 5EE. Prices range from £30 – £200 and payment is by card only.

Saturday Masterclass: Make Your Own Kimono 

Join Nim (Out Of Stock Studio) at the FC Designer Workspace in Islington on Saturday May 25th 2024 for a step-by-step masterclass on the process of cutting and sewing your own unique kimono-style jacket.

The 1-day class includes the use of luxury, British-woven, selvedge denim from Hewitt with choices available on size, pocket details and thread colours.

The class is open to individuals with sewing skills and is not recommended for complete beginners.

For more information and to book tap here.

This Week on FashionCapital…

Top Tips for Boosting Organic Visibility for Fashion Brands

And Finally…

We were thrilled to be a part of Jan Kattein’s latest book ‘Londoners Making London’ with its emphasis on community and local opportunities. Tomorrow evening at 5.30pm we will be joining author and architect Jan Kattein, and other business founders featured in the book, for a panel symposium and Q&A at Paper Garden, Teredo Street, London SE16 7LW. This is a free event with donations welcome for the Global Generations community ecology garden in Kings Cross. Tap here to book your place, last few tickets remaining.

Until next time, have a great week.

From the Team at FashionCapital