Moving Forward
08-04-2020
Newsletter 8th April 2020
Dear all,
Message from Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway
“It has been another trying week in the world around us. With so much uncertainty right now our designer members have shared their concerns about life after this crisis and how it will be for small businesses and the industry in general? There are no definite answers, however now is a good time to think about what you want to do with your life and all those decisions you’ve been putting off for a while. Whether it’s signing up for a course, starting your own business, planning your range or achieving more of a work / life balance. We can now think positive and plan ahead.
“Here at the Factory we continue to do our bit for the NHS with scrubs, trousers and masks in production. We do need more stitchers to help with these urgent orders, so if you are local and have stitching experience please get in touch.
“Stay safe.”
In the Press
Did you see our CEO Jenny Holloway and the Factory on BBC News last Thursday and in The Daily Telegraph at the weekend? News that we have switched our usual fashion orders for essential PPE for the NHS has made headline news.
“ASOS have really encouraged us to stop their production in favour of the NHS,” Jenny commented. “It could have happened a couple of weeks earlier if I am honest. We are now looking at at least 20,000 a week. We have ladies in need of work so we are going to go for it.”
Local Stitchers Required
With the NHS order as a matter of urgency the Factory has asked Haringey Council to help recruit more local stitchers. If you have completed a Stitching course with us in the past, live locally and would like to get involved please contact us via caroline@fashion-enter.com
Also in Production…the Germ Trap Snood
As well production for the NHS we are now on our fourth order of the Germ Trap Snood for a private client. This Virustatic Shield or snood is the result of 10-years research by Manchester University and Manchester biochemists. The innovative antiviral fabric coating applied to the light snood traps 96 per cent of airborne viruses. Unlike ordinary masks, scientists say the Virustatic Shield can be worn comfortably for hours at a time and is reusable, washable and ‘harmless to touch after being exposed to germs. Another advantage to the snood is that it moulds to your face and fits everyone, unlike the conventional mask, which can be difficult for children or those with facial hair.
Apprentices Still Connecting and Learning
Apprentice Tutor Louis comments:
“Despite the fact that we have been pulled out of our daily habits during this unique time, I have felt a strong desire to keep moving forward and an excitement within myself, colleagues and my students to be creative, resourceful and innovative about how we work and connect remotely. I believe we will all emerge from this experience stronger and with new tools we didn’t know we had or could have at our disposal.”
Behind the Seams – Expert Advice
This week Fashion-Enter’s Garment Technologist Elle Argyrou shares her 5 top tips on how to become an aspiring Garment Tech.
Zoom Online Seminars
Due to the restrictions on individuals gathering at this time we have made adjustments to our series of N17 Creative Callings seminars, which are now available online via Zoom.
Online seminars include:
How to Sell Your Brand with Jenny Holloway – 17th April 2020
Trend Analysis with Lauren Morrison – 23rd April 2020
The Design Cycle Series:
Part 2 Sampling & Production – 15th April 2020
Part 3 Budgeting, Finance & IP – 30th April 2020
Part 4 How to Sell Your Brand – 6th May 2020
Today’s Online Sessions
Today Deborah Shulton was live on Zoom with her taster seminar on Fabric Appreciation over 30 participants were signed-in. A huge thank-you to Deborah for a really informative session with great participation and lots of questions answered at the end.
This was followed by Jenny Holloway advising on how to get your collection seen by buyers; how to prepare, what to say and contract details designers need to be aware of. She also touched on promotion and marketing, selling online and rolling ranges.
Make the Most of Your Time and Get Collection Ready
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to design your own range? Be the designer you always wanted to be? We have teamed up with Telestia to offer online tuition supported by a qualified tutor. Get collection ready and get productive during this time of indoor lockdown. To find out more tap here.
Fabric Swatch of the Week
We love this classic, gold chunky zip, perfect for an on show zipper for either garments or home furnishings. Available now in the haberdashery section of FCFabricStudio.com
This Week on FashionCapital…
Italian company La Sportiva powers through to produce medical apparel.
The first online Zoom seminar for the N17 Creative Callings programme: How to Start a Fashion Brand went extremely well without any technical hitches!
5 Shoe Trends for Spring.
Fashion-Enter on the BBC News making scrubs for the NHS.
And Finally…
The FashionCapital team would like to wish you a restful Easter and if you feeling overwhelmed by the news and the current constrictions please take a look at our 5 top tips to keep calm and reduce anxiety.
