New Board – Big News – Free Masterclasses
17-12-2025
Newsletter 17th December 2025
Fashion-Enter Ltd Welcomes New NED Board
Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) is pleased to welcome its new Non-Executive Director board, chaired by Lord Young of Norwood Green, a longstanding and highly valued advocate for apprenticeships and skills.
New NEDs Simon Platts (sustainability consultant), Elizabeth (Style3D and ASBCI – digital innovation and industry best practice) and Kurt Hintz (experienced CEO) bring a wealth of expertise and fresh energy to the Board. The first meeting took place on 16th December, including agreement to introduce a quarterly quality assurance scorecard.
We thank outgoing NEDs Chris North, James Stewart, Paul Hook and Caren Downey for their excellent service, recently celebrated at the House of Lords, and look forward to the valuable input of the new Board.
In Drapers: UK’s First Textile Quality Mark
Yesterday (16th December 2025), Drapers went live with the launch of the UK’s first National Textile Quality Mark, with an article compiled by Chloe Mills. Led by a powerful alliance between The Garment and Textile Workers Trust, the ATMF consortium, Fashion-Enter Ltd, De Montfort University, and an additional partner to be announced, the landmark initiative aims to re-establish the UK as a global leader in textile excellence. The Quality Mark will champion ethical production, low-carbon manufacturing, innovation and British craftsmanship, giving buyers a trusted signal of quality while supporting the re-shoring of UK manufacturing.
Tap here to view the Drapers article
Tomorrow – 18th December – Free Online Masterclass with Caroline Trend
Join us tomorrow at 10am for a free, 1-hour masterclass hosted by Caroline Trend, Fashion Design & Product Development Consultant, on “New Designers: How to Work Successfully With UK Factories”.
Aimed at new designers and start-ups preparing their first collection, the session will cover what manufacturers really look for, how to prepare before making contact, what a tech pack should include, how fabrics and trims affect cost and timelines, understanding MOQs and sampling, and how to communicate professionally with factories. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain behind-the-scenes insight and learn what it truly means to be factory-ready.
Tap here to book your place and receive the link to the session.
19th December: Masterclass & Networking – Understanding Fabric from Fibre to Finish
The Fashion Hub in Leicester is hosting a one-hour Masterclass and Networking session on Friday 19 December, 10–11am, at Phoenix House, Leicester, led by Niall Maplesden, Director of The Knowledge Nexus.
Devised for designers, emerging brands, manufacturers and sourcing teams, the session will demystify fabric development from raw fibre through to finishing. Attendees will gain practical insight into fibre selection, spinning, knitting vs weaving, dyeing and printing, as well as new innovations and sustainability considerations that impact fabric performance, quality and compliance. An ideal opportunity to deepen technical understanding and connect with industry peers.
Tap here to reserve your free place
Trade Shows Not to Miss in 2026:
Source Fashion | 13–15 January 2026 | Olympia London
UK manufacturers, suppliers, retailers and brands are encouraged to attend Source Fashion, Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show. The ATMF has once again secured free exhibition space for its members, offering a valuable platform to showcase UK capability to a global audience. This year’s future-focused programme addresses ethical sourcing, resilience and smarter manufacturing. ATMF CEO Jenny Holloway will join Event Director Suzanne Ellingham on stage to discuss “How Do We Build Back British Manufacturing?” – a timely conversation as demand for UK-made supply chains continues to grow.
Leicester Made & Regions | 24–25 April 2026 | De Montfort University
Leicester Made & Regions 2026 takes place at a pivotal moment for the UK fashion and textile supply chain.
Day 1 Industry Friday 24 April is dedicated exclusively to industry, providing opportunities to source new partners, explore innovation and connect with leaders in manufacturing, sustainability and policy.
Day 2 Consumer Saturday 25 April opens to consumers, spotlighting British-made products and repair and reuse initiatives. For businesses, early engagement is key—showcasing capability, strengthening regional and national networks, and meeting rising demand for UK production.
Tap the links to register your attendance.
Interested in exhibiting? Contact beth@fashion-enter.com
Free Training Places Available – Starting February
Thanks to a generous donation to the Genuine Fund, we are delighted to offer free places for our upcoming Level 1 Stitching and Level 1 Pattern Cutting programmes starting in February 2026 at the FC Designer Workspace in Islington.
These accredited programmes provide essential skills for anyone looking to begin a career in fashion production or garment construction. Places are first-come, first-served, so early sign-up is encouraged.
Contact: education@fashion-enter.com tel: 0208 809 3311
Community, Creativity and Sustainability at Haymarket Shopping Centre
On 11 December, Leicester’s FCFTA Fashion Hub, in partnership with Wesley Hall Community Organisation, hosted a successful sewing and repair pop-up workshop at Haymarket Shopping Centre.
The hands-on session brought together local residents, volunteers and community partners to learn garment repair, upcycling and sustainable fashion skills. Alongside practical sewing activities, the event showcased Leicester-made garments and promoted FCFTA courses and wider industry support. More than a workshop, the pop-up created a welcoming space for connection, creativity and conversation around skills, wellbeing and sustainability.
Sincere thanks to the Haymarket team and Wesley Hall Community Centre for their invaluable support in making the event such a success.
To find out more about the courses in Leicester visit: https://fcfta.com/courses/
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Fashion Design:
9th, 16th 23rd & 30th January – Fashion Design for Beginners – FC Designer Workspace – £180 + eventbrite fee
Pattern Cutting:
24th January – Creative Pattern Cutting: Skirt Adaption – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Corset Making:
10th January – Saturday Introduction to Corset Making – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Fashion Illustration:
14th February – 1-Day Fashion Illustration for Beginners Saturday Class – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
13th Jan – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
Free Business Masterclass Online:
18th December – New Designers: How to Work Successfully with UK Factories – 1 hour free masterclass via Zoom
This Week on FashionCapital…
The Power of the Window: How Visual Merchandising Can Stop the Crowd
And Finally…It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at FEL
Christmas cheer was in full swing as Fashion-Enter Ltd / FashionCapital teams in both London and Leicester came together to celebrate the festive season. The gatherings were a chance to reflect on a year of hard work, teamwork and shared achievements.
FEL CEO Jenny Holloway said: “What a team! Thank you all for your incredible hard work throughout 2025. There is so much to look forward to in 2026. For those who couldn’t make it, you were missed. Happy Christmas to all.”
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!
(Please note we will close from 24th December and re-open 5th January 2026.)
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
