Pulling Fashion Manufacturing Together…
24-03-2021
Newsletter 24th March 2021
Triumph Needle to Support FCFTA Leicester
As announced in January 2021, Fashion-Enter Ltd has teamed up with Leicester City Council and local clothing company Ethically Sourced Products Ltd to develop a new textiles skills centre – the FC Fashion Technology Academy Leicester (FCFTA Leicester).
Since announcing the news the industry support and number of enquiries has been phenomenal, and we are thrilled to announce that the long-established Triumph Needle Company Ltd is supporting the new training hub by setting up and sponsoring all the machinery.
Alan May, Sales Director at Triumph Needle, comments: “I personally get frustrated at the BAD press the sewing trade gets, NOT just in Leicester. To produce a garment is a skilled operation (try getting any MP on a sewing machine and ask them to sew a straight line.) We need to alter the perception that most people have of working in a sewing factory, and this is why we at Triumph Needle are more than happy to help get this of the project off the ground.”
The new FC Fashion Technology Academy Leicester is due to open in summer 2021 with delivery of an initial taster programme. Tap here to find out more.
B of London – Your Dress Destination!
Two weeks ago we launched our in-house brand website for B of London, Development Director, Jenni Sutton comments: “It’s great to see the sales coming in on our new website https://theboflondon.com/ and in particular the bridesmaid dresses are selling well. This really does reflect that the worst of COVID is behind us now and our clients are looking forward to their summer wedding days. We are so pleased with the comments we have received regarding the site and just wanted to say a big thank-you to everyone for their kind words.”
We Are Hiring!
We are looking for an Assistant Factory Manager in Newtown, Wales. The Assistant Factory Manager will have the responsibility of the production floor as a direct contact for the supervisors with any issues of production and/or staff wise that they encounter. They will also be responsible for the smooth operation of the production and other interlinked departments. Tap here to take a look at the job description and how to apply.
Improved Regulation for Suppliers Survey
The UK Parliament Environmental Audit Committee “Fixing Fashion” inquiry has recommended to the UK Department for Business (BEIS) that a Garment Trading Adjudicator should be established to oversee & regulate purchasing practices.
To ensure that this adjudicator is regulating to stop the abusive purchasing practices that suppliers have experienced, a survey has been created for suppliers in Leicester and throughout the UK to complete by 20th April. This is a confidential survey to be used by Traidcraft Exchange Registered Charity – a company that helps bring together people to fight injustice in trade. This survey will help measure the scale of the impact of Covid-19 on suppliers to European retailers, the results will help implement change in the industry and introduce regulations so that suppliers are treated more fairly. Tap the link to view and fill in the survey:https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/covid19retailerspractices/
Online Masterclass Success
Over the past week we have held two online masterclasses, the first aimed to support students compiling their dissertations on the UK fashion manufacturing industry. Student Jess commented:“It was great to get an insight from a factory supplying fast fashion. I have learnt a lot about ethics within garment manufacturing. I really enjoyed the session, thank-you so much for organising it, it was really insightful!”
While the second, held yesterday 23rd March, was a free N17 Creative Callings masterclass on ‘Business After COVID’, also open to non-N17 participants. Delivered by CEO Jenny Holloway, Production Director Caroline Ash and Development Director Jenni Sutton the in-depth session focused on how small businesses can adapt after the pandemic and what opportunities are available to them.
Maurya commented: “What I found most useful was the discussion on how the industry is changing with a focus on sustainability, as well as things like returns and the production process and how complex this actually is. I also really enjoyed the prospect of such a wide range of skills and support available.”
The next N17 Creative Callings masterclass takes place 1st April with the internationally stocked designer Louisa Parris. The masterclass is also available to non-N17 Creative Callings participants at a cost of £10-
N17 Creative Callings – Free Business Support Initiative
Only 22 spaces left on this excellent business support programme for creatives in the borough. This program offers exact hand-held mentoring to make your creative business flourish. The initiative is ESF and supported by the GLA and allows you to have mentors for all your business needs including free courses, free fabric and components, free use of machines in-house and much more. To find out more tap here.
Latest Data Reveals Shortfall in Skilled Production Workers & Apprentices
The latest industry figures published by the UKFT (The UK Fashion & Textile Association) reveals that while there is renewed interest in local UK manufacturing we are falling desperately short in terms of technical and production training and apprenticeships. The industry now needs to up its game to provide high quality and ethical manufacturing combined with training and apprenticeship opportunities to establish an industry that has continual growth and longevity.
Tap here to read the full article.
Back to Work and New Orders
We are delighted to confirm that our factory has had the first tailoring order from ASOS in a year! 17,000 units have now been placed and it’s fantastic news for our Tailoring Academy too. Our Italian lecturer Francesco Vuoto has now started his bespoke classes again – the only way to learn is from the experts. Tap here for Tailoring course info.
We have new orders now live with N Brown, a big thank-you to the team at N Brown – great working with you.
We also have orders now live with I Saw it First, again a big thank-you for these orders and we look forward to working with you in Leicester this summer 2021.
At Home Learning
Learn new fashion skills from home. Thanks to the beauty of technology learning can adapt to your lifestyle and agenda. Fashion-Enter has an established relationship with the online learning provider for the fashion sector eTelestia to provide a selection of online courses. Take your pick from online pattern cutting to technical drawing, upgrade your skills and get support from a qualified tutor who is on hand through this e-learning platform.
A former eTelestia learner commented: “In this world of everything online and everything digital you can be a bit on your own. It is difficult to find a good class where you are able to find online access and to work to your own schedule with the support of a human being, who can direct you, correct your mistakes and help you to progress quicker. I really found this with eTelestia.”
Tap here to view all the online short courses.
Masterclasses and Courses Coming Soon…
We are pleased to announce that after Easter we will be running monthly Vetigraph courses, details to be announced soon.
The FTA offers continual roll-on roll-off courses in Perfect Patterns and for the Stitching Academy at both Level’s 1 & 2. The next intake for Perfect Patterns is 5th April and for the Stitching Academy 12th April. Eligibility criteria apply for those living in London, employed on a low wage earning less than £20,962.00 annual gross income OR unemployed and in receipt of JSA, ESA/Income Support, Universal Credit. Evidence to be provided at the time of enrolment, including passport.
If you are interested and would like to know more please contact: Tel: 0208 809 3311
Email: education@fashion-enter.com
Masterclasses:
Online Telestia Pattern Cutting Course
N17 Creative Callings: Diary of a Fashion Designer Louisa Parris (online)
N17 Creative Callings: Sustainable Fabric Sourcing with Mark Dodds (online)
N17 Creative Callings: Your Omnichannel Strategy – How to Launch on Ecommerce (online)
Gerber Accumark 3-day Course for Beginners – June
N17 Creative Callings: How to Do Your Own PR (online)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
Fresh white chiffon, brilliant for lightweight summer dressing, breathable and floaty. Available now from the FC Fabric Studio at £3.50 a meter.
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk
Paul Markevicius discovers Thread the online styling platform: Thread: Style Nirvana
And Finally…
Made in the UK reusable PPE. Production Director, Caroline Ash comments:
“After spending a year on research for the re-usable ethical isolation gown it’s rewarding to see the sales now beginning to come through. A personal thank-you to Mike Dinan from Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, for all of his support. We could not have got here with out his commitment and dedication.”
Until next time have a great week.
