Our Shop is Reopening!
22-07-2020
FashionCapital Newsletter
Wednesday 22nd July 2020
Dear all,
Join Our Exciting Retail Collective
We are just weeks away from opening our retail concept store on Fonthill Road in the London borough of Islington. The ‘FC Designer Collective’ will be more than just a shop – it will act as a creative hub for the London N4 area. This retail opportunity is the result of a unique collaboration between Islington Council, Mayor of London (Good Growth Fund) and Fashion-Enter Ltd. Local designers and start-ups now have the chance for their items to be stocked and sold while offering the public products that are locally made and unique. The shop will also include on-site production facilities to enable learning, repairs and bespoke making, as well as provide a meeting point to host seminars, events and creative projects.
The Fonthill Road area is currently undergoing a major renaissance with major development in residential and commercial units. The area is becoming a hotspot for creative and tech industries due to its excellent links with the City and affordable rents.
Fashion-Enter secured the shop at the end of last year, closed for a re-fit followed by months of lockdown the team are now preparing to reopen in early August. If you are a designer or creative with products to sell based in the London Borough of Islington then we would like to hear from you. Please contact jenni@fashion-enter.com
The FC Designer Collective is due to open Saturday 1st August.
That’s A Wrap on the GFF X TikTok Residency
The two-week GFF (Graduate Fashion Foundation) X TikTok Residency has drawn to a close at Fashion-Enter’s Tailoring Academy. The final day (17th July) culminated with a visit from GFF Global Ambassador & Fashion Designer, Henry Holland and the GFF’s, President, Hilary Alexander OBE.
Fashion Designer Henry Holland commented: “Recently I had the pleasure of being involved in a partnership between Fashion Enter, Graduate Fashion Foundation and Tik-Tok. I felt that the project taught the students invaluable skills that are not part of their university curriculum around production timelines, constructing multiple garments as well as more straightforward pattern cutting and construction and I was so impressed by the team at Fashion Enter both for their work on this project and other courses that they offer as part of their programme.”
The residency invited the grads to create merchandise for TikTok inspired by their final year projects in line with TikTok’s branding and ethos. Caroline further commented: “A very rewarding and enjoyable Residency with GFF and TikTok. The feedback was amazing and the students were very lucky for the opportunity to get an insight into factory production. The designs looked stunning and I feel the graduates learnt a lot about construction methods.”
Keep your eyes peeled, the graduate’s work will now be sent out to TikTok influencers and VIP clients. The project was declared a great success with thanks to the team from TikTok, Fashion-Enter and individuals from the GFF ensuring a brilliant unison of creativity and practical industry skills.
Click here to find out more about the GFF X TikTok Residency
Deepening Knowledge and Skills
The success of the recent GFF X TikTok project highlighted the skills that fashion creatives need to fully understand garment construction and its various processes.
Jenny Holloway CEO of Fashion-Enter said: “The GFF X TikTok Residency made us realise that we can offer so much technical expertise to all undergraduates that are completing their collections for a degree. If we can help any Further Education or Higher Education institution please just email us on education@fashion-enter.com and let’s see how we can work with you.”
Free Virtual Open Day!
Join us for a free virtual tour and introduction to learn how Fashion-Enter can support your brand today!
Taking place Wednesday 5th August from 10.00 – 11.00 via Zoom.
If you are looking for a manufacturer or are in the early stages of setting up your label, this free session will provide you with an insight and understanding of exactly how we can help. You will learn about our masterclasses with industry experts, mentoring programme, sampling and production facilities, upcoming retail unit and the soon to be launched business bundles!
To book your place please email jenni@fashion-enter.com and you will be sent details on how to join the Zoom session for free!
Fabric Sourcing in Leicester
Our eyes and ears in Leicester, Junior Designer, Brooke Tate, has been back out sourcing fabrics for going-out dresses and glamorous suits. Tap here to read her latest diary entry on her visit to Fashion Fabrics.
Industry Kitemark of Approval
Last week Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway spoke frankly about the UK fashion manufacturing industry on the Kaye Adams Mornings show on BBC Radio Scotland. She explained how the press tend to highlight the rogue’s of the manufacturing industry while there are many ethical and compliant UK factories out there, she mentioned the Fast Forward audit (in which her factory has Leading Status) and how there are many good factories out there that don’t get the credit or recognition that they deserve.
Moving forward Jenny discussed how retailers and manufacturers need to work together to ensure flow and transparency and also suggested the idea of a kitemark, like the red tractor logo used in the food industry. She said consumers need a recognisable kitemark of approval that guarantees all across the supply chain are working ethically and safely at the correct rate of pay.
To listen again visit BBC iPlayer Sounds, go to Radio Scotland 15th July the Kaye Adams Mornings show and listen at 2 hours 28mins into the programme.
Staff News…
Congratulations to Fashion-Enter pattern cutter Lan Leeder. Lan has been busy swotting up and has just passed her Level 3 Award in Education and Training. Lan comments: “Thanks for all the support. I am looking forward to using my knowledge learnt in the classroom soon. I am thinking of doing the Level 5 Diploma next.”
Masks Become Mandatory
From this weekend we’ll all be required to wear a mask in stores as well as on public transport. If you are looking to stock up on masks we offer a 100% cotton range and a brand new silk range of reusable and washable masks in a variety of colours and prints. A children’s range is also available.
To view the FashionCapital mask range tap here.
15% discount off courses at the FTA!
‘What a better time to retrain! The FTA is now offering a 15% discount during these COVID-19 times to support those who are employed, not on benefits and above the £20,572 low wage annual gross income threshold. For availability to start in July and August please email esme@fashion-enter.com’
Stitching Academy Level 1 & 2 courses are on a rolling programme with free places currently available to find out more tap here.
Pattern courses Level 1 & 2 are also on a rolling programme place are available for next month.
The Tailoring Academy will be re-opening at the end of July 2020.
Gerber AccuMark 3-day Course for Beginners – 29th / 30th / 31st July.
New dates for Masterclasses!
Following the success of the recent masterclasses held via Zoom we have launched new dates for those that could not attend:
What makes a manufacturer Ethical – 4th August 10.00 – 12.00
Start your Fashion Brand Today – 12th August 10.00 – 12.00
How to Manufacture your Garments Part 1 – 19th August 10.00 – 12.00
How to Manufacturer your Garments Part 2 – 26th August 10.00 – 12.00
How to sell your Brand online – 9th September 10.00 – 12.00
Fabric Swatch of the Week
This week we’ve picked out a pale pink lace, ideal for inserts, trims or as an over-layer. Available now at the FCFabricStudio at £5 per metre.
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk…
We see the fantastic designs created by this year’s fashion graduates on the GFF X TikTok Residency.
We invest in further Optitex technology to provide a tech savvy garment factory and learning facility that can guarantee quality and efficiency every time.
And we discuss the 7 Ps of marketing to consider when planning out your business.
Until next week, stay safe,
The FashionCapital team.
