FashionCapital Newsletter

Raising the Profile of Fashion Apprenticeships

The team is busy gearing up for our unique, fashion skills and apprenticeships event tomorrow held in partnership with the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. From 10.30am – 12.30pm we will welcome Alex Lamb from Kilgour Savile Row to provide an exclusive insight into how master tailors really work. Along with guest speakers Simon Platts, Sourcing Director at ASOS.com and Sarah Ebanja, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Chief Executive. Lord Young of Norwood Green, Tony Young, will also speak, he has recently been appointed as an Apprenticeships Ambassador by the Government.

Lord Young was himself an apprentice at the General Post Office. He said: “It was many years ago indeed. What I do remember is acquiring the skills and knowledge that I needed as well as the importance of strong technical skills. That is why I will work to raise the profile of apprenticeships.”

To find out more about the event we are hosting click here.

This is a fun, introductory event to fashion and tailoring apprenticeships, courses and careers and places are limited to register email education@fashion-enter.com

Level 4 Garment Tech Apprenticeship Ready to Go

Fashion Enter was involved in the Trail Blazer for the new Level 4 Garment Technology standard. This will in time replace the current Level 3 framework certificate and diploma, which has been highly popular with 33 retailers employing apprentices. Many congratulations to the team for achieving the new standard, which involved 17 companies ranging from manufacturing to retailers and small SMEs!

“I started doing my Garment Tech Apprenticeship in October 2017 with an interest in fashion but not knowing where to start and since being at Fashion Enter I have learnt so much about so many different things; from measuring to the every stage of the production process.” – Georgia Fletcher – Production / Garment Tech Apprentice.

Congratulations – Ralph & Russo Apprentices Announced

Ralph & Russo have announced their first three apprentices: Donna, who completed Level 1 & 2 in Perfect Patterns with us, and Hawwa will work as Haute Couture Pattern Cutters while Matthew will work in the Ready to Wear Pattern Cutting department.

 L to R: Donna, Hawwa and Matthew

The trio are super excited to start working for this exclusive design house. Donna said the opportunity is ‘life changing’ and Hawwa commented; ‘this has been such a journey from the initial screening day, I can’t believe I am here it is so surreal.’ 

The Voice of the Manufacturer Grows Stronger!

Fashion Enter works with a lot of different manufacturers and it’s great to see such positive feedback occurring with both samples and orders picking up as we enter into the Autumn period. Jenny Holloway commented:

“I feel like a broken record but e-tailers and retailers will so need UK manufacturing. We are now approved by Tesco who have very high and exact standards and have fully supported us with the SMETA audit. Time for manufacturers to stick together and work as one!”

Yodea Goes from Strength to Strength

Following the launch of his own brand Yodea at ‘London Queer Fashion Week’ we are delighted to announce that Marquel has received strong orders.  Fashion Enter is supporting Marquel who undertook our Level 1 and 2 courses here at the Stitching Academy, and went on to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Textiles and Apparel.

 Jenni Sutton Development Director said: “It has been a pleasure to see Marquel just grow from strength to strength.  He really performed so well with DSI Clothing (the company that makes for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’) but his heart was in creating his own products. What’s particularly fantastic is that he has kept in touch with many of his peers during his apprenticeship and it was great to see Russi on the catwalk wearing an outfit from Marquel. Life really is for living – great to see success!”

#WorldMentalHealthDay

Mental health affects us all – personally and professionally and it’s essential that we all recognize how important this issue is.

 Our CEO Jenny Holloway comments: “Mental health is very close to my heart. My mother was a schizophrenic and the film ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest’ was absolutely spot on to depict what happened with mental health care in 60s/70s. It would not have mattered if my mother had all the money in the world. She was trapped in a world that completely immobilized her. This is why Fashion Enter is at its absolute core a Social Enterprise and we really are here for all people to give them hope and inner success.”

The NHS has some great professional tips on reducing stress click here to view the advice.

‘How To Become More Confident’ Next Week

While we are on the topic of positive mental health next Thursday 18th October 11am – 1pm, Life & Business Coach Eric Gilston will be back at FashionCapital HQ to host his ‘How to Become More Confident’ masterclass. Eric has become a regular on our masterclass schedule and those that have attended in the past leave with new-found life skills that will help them both in and out of the workplace.

“I have learnt a lot in this seminar! Eric’s seminars are always fantastic as they make you so motivated.” – Dalit

 “Very engaging and informative. I came away having learnt some very valuable lessons that I look forward to putting into practice.”  – Mike

“I have learnt how to have and maintain a super memory! I would like to attend more workshops by Eric in the future.” – Olanike

To find out more and book click here.

Now On: CFE Manufacturers Trade Show

We are at the bi-annual CFE Manufacturers Trade Show today – 10^th and tomorrow – 11^th of October. Our Fashion Enter stand is amongst over 20 manufacturers and supporting services who offer sampling production and specialist skills to fashion labels. We are there from 10am – 5pm at Asia House, 63 New Cavendish St, London W1G 7LP, so come along and see us.