Ready to Repair!
25-02-2026
Newsletter 25th February 2026
Ready-to-Wear to Repair!
While international press and buyers have decamped to Milan, here in London we’re turning our attention to Repair Week, 2nd – 8th March 2026, an annual event where the city comes together for a series of workshops and events that champions repair and reuse.
Repair Week provides the chance to pick up practical skills, fall back in love with your belongings, and save money while helping the planet. Watch out for inspiring spotlights on #LocalRepairHeroes and plenty of clever repair hacks designed to give you the confidence to fix, mend and upcycle.
(Leyla, on the left, is our #LocalRepairHero – this Queen of Seams can support with your repair, alteration or upcycle.)
Repair is at the heart of what we do, both on the factory floor and in the classroom. Join us and learn how to stitch, patch and transform through our short courses or, if you’re local to north London, drop into our free community repair and upcycle session at the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road. Our next bi-monthly session takes place on Tuesday 3rd March, perfectly timed for Repair Week, and is kindly supported by Islington Council.
And that’s not all. Did you know the United Repair Centre, based in our north London factory, provides professional repair services for leading brands including Patagonia, Rapha and Lululemon? Tap the links to find out more and get involved.
London Fashion Week AW26: Reuse Reimagine Repeat
As of January 2026, the British Fashion Council introduced stricter sustainability criteria for NEWGEN designers, banning the destruction of unsold stock and championing recycled and deadstock materials, and the shift was powerfully reflected across AW26. From Tolu Coker’s “reformative luxury,” presented before King Charles III and grounded in heritage wool and upcycled textiles, to directional deconstructed denim by Ksenia Schnaider and tactile deadstock narratives from Poet-Lab, sustainability was embedded at source. A standout moment for us came from FC Designer Workspace resident Raquel De Carvalho, (design pictured below) who made a striking impact through Discovery LAB Presents with a powerful short film showcasing her sensual, sculptural knitted forms in a bold editorial format – a confident expression of craft, identity and innovation. With contributions from designers including Kazna Asker and Fam Irvoll, and a refined finale from Burberry, the message from London was clear: sustainability is positioning up-front and centre.
More exciting news from our FC Designer Workspace community: resident Clare Lichfield, founder of Bodici and co-founder of Sequinova, had the honour of meeting King Charles III at London Fashion Week as well as winning the Fashion Innovation Award for Sequinova at the inaugural London Fashion Awards. The first annual ceremony brought together some of London’s most influential and talented figures for a glittering celebration of creativity and design. Big congratulations!
(Clare meeting King Charles III and Stella McCartney, who has used Sequinova in her collections, at LFW)
Leicester Fashion Hub – Free Event – Designer Drop-In Day
On Wednesday 4th March (2 – 6pm), join us for the Designer Drop-In Day at FEL’s Fashion Hub in Leicester. Hosted in partnership with The ATMF and supported by LCB Depot, this informal networking afternoon invites Leicester’s vibrant design community to connect, collaborate and explore new opportunities. Meet CEO Jenny Holloway, tour the fully equipped sampling and production facility, gain insight into developing samples and scaling to bulk manufacture, and network with fellow designers, start-ups and creative entrepreneurs. Whether you stay for 20 minutes or the full afternoon, it’s a chance to discover how the Fashion Hub can support you.
Tap here to register your attendance
Register To Join Leicester Made and Regions April 2026
Leicester Made & Regions is a dynamic trade event showcasing Made in the UK manufacturing. Bringing together suppliers, brands, manufacturers, educators and industry leaders, the event shines a spotlight on innovation, skills development and ethical British production. Designed to connect the full supply chain Leicester Made & Regions continues to champion transparency, local sourcing and the strength of regional manufacturing across the UK. This day long event takes place on Friday 24th April 2026 at The Venue @DMU, Leicester LE2 7BU.
To support exhibitors and visitors travelling to Leicester, a range of discounted hotel rates has been secured at centrally located venues including Novotel & Adagio Leicester, The Gresham Aparthotel and Holiday Inn Leicester. With strong demand anticipated, early booking is highly recommended to secure the best rates. To find out more tap here.
For event or exhibitor enquiries, please contact beth@fashion-enter.com
New Report: Who Pays? Brand Purchasing Practices in UK Fashion Manufacturing
Today, 25th February, Jenny Holloway – CEO of FEL and ATMF Chair, attended a Transform Trade meeting introducing a new report titled: Who Pays? Brand Purchasing Practices in UK Fashion Manufacturing. While the UK fashion industry contributes £62bn to the economy and supports 1.3 million jobs, new research highlights mounting pressure on domestic manufacturers due to unfair purchasing practices. Surveying 48 UK clothing manufacturers across key regions and market levels, the report reveals widespread risk transfer from brands to suppliers, including cancelled orders, unpaid last-minute changes, price suppression despite rising minimum wages, delayed payments and enforced discounts after contracts are agreed.
The findings also expose the human cost. Manufacturers report reduced hours due to cancellations, excessive overtime to meet sudden deadline shifts, and a pervasive fear of speaking out in case of losing business. With limited trust in existing dispute mechanisms, the report calls on the UK Government to introduce a Garments Trading Adjudicator, echoing recommendations from the Environmental Audit Committee, and to adopt mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation. The message is clear: without structural reform, the sustainability and integrity of UK fashion manufacturing remain at risk.
Jenny commented: “Today was a major step forward for UK manufacturers. The discussion laid bare the scale of financial harm factories are facing. Take Quiz, now in administration for the third time, where one manufacturer alone is owed £900,000 and is reportedly being offered just 10p in the pound. The impact on cash flow, jobs and confidence is horrendous. This is exactly why we urgently need a Garments Trading Adjudicator to ensure fair purchasing practices and accountability across the sector.
“We are also calling on the Trades Union Congress and Community to work alongside The ATMF to push for public procurement contracts that prioritise trusted UK factories. With government-backed funding, the ATMF can act as a critical friend to Government – introducing a recognised kite mark for responsible manufacturers and helping to drive much-needed transparency across the supply chain.”
Free Online Masterclass – Fashion Brand Foundations: From Concept to Manufacturing
Join us online on Tuesday 10th March 2026 (10–11am) for Fashion Brand Foundations: From Concept to Manufacturing, part of the Free Masterclasses series. This practical online session is designed for anyone considering launching a fashion brand or wondering if it’s the right move. Covering everything from early research and defining your USP to tech packs, fabric sourcing and manufacturing, the webinar offers a realistic, jargon-free overview of the full journey from idea to production. Hosted via Zoom, it’s an ideal starting point for designers and creatives who want clarity, confidence and a clear understanding of what comes first before committing time or money.
Register to secure your free place and receive the Zoom link ahead of the event.
Classes With Visiting Tutor and Designer John Herrera
Since joining the FTA teaching team John Herrera has received excellent feedback for his ability to teach in a clear, knowledgeable and friendly manner. Due to demand we can now offer drop in, after work sewing classes with John and the next one is due to take place this Friday 27th February. These are ideal if you want support, technical advice and use of the fully equipped workspace.
Additional classes with John include: fashion illustration, corset making, draping, creative pattern making and fabric manipulation and textile embellishment. Tap here for the full list of classes.
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Drop-In Sewing:
27th February – After work drop in Sewing – FC Designer Workspace – £20 + eventbrite fee
Draping:
28th February – Introduction to Draping – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Smocking:
14th March – Introduction to Smocking – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Pattern Cutting:
9th March – Introduction to Pattern Making: Skirt and darted bodice block – FTA Haringey – £70 + eventbrite fee
Corset Making:
7th March – Saturday Introduction to Corset Making – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
3rd March – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
Free Business Masterclass Online:
10th March – Fashion Brand Foundations: From Concept to Manufacturing – Free Online Masterclass 10am – 11am (register your place and a Zoom link will be emailed closer to the date)
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
London Fashion Week AW26: Reuse Reimagine Repeat
And Finally…16 – 18 Year Old Creative Practice Taster Session
On Friday 20th February, the FTA, Islington campus, welcomed 16 to 18 year old learners for a free sewing workshop designed to introduce its UAL Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice starting September 2026. The hands-on session gave students the chance to work on industrial machines, learn essential stitching skills and create a simple wallet to take home, while also exploring progression routes and reviewing portfolios with tutors. With fantastic feedback and a strong turnout from prospective learners, the Academy will be hosting further free taster sessions for 16–18 year olds in April and May – a great opportunity for young creatives considering a future in fashion to experience the course first-hand. Tap here if you would like to register for the next taster session.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
