Repair, Reuse, Repurpose

Newsletter 15th March 2023

Book a Free Repair Session With Us

Join us from next Monday, 20th March, to repair, upcycle or alter any garment of your choice! Fashion-Enter Ltd has teamed up with Islington Council this London Repair Week to provide drop in workshops at our shop: FC Designer Collective. 

From Monday – Thursday, 10:00 – 15:00 the doors of the shop will be open to allow Islington residents to bring in their garments that can be repaired, upcycled or redesigned free of charge thanks to funding from Islington Council.

You can learn how to use and repair garments on our industrial machines under the careful guidance of Leyla, an experienced seamstress that has over 40-years of expertise. Pick up tips on sewing essentials like inserting zips and trims as well as how to upcycle your clothes. Equipment, zips, textiles etc will be provided at the shop. 

The week will culminate in a unique showcase of the best reclaimed garments providing a unique fashion experience and highlighting the importance or reusing textiles.

FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH.

Please tap here to book your place

Fashion Retailers! THE Checklist to CUT Excess Inventory

Excess inventory is the #1 cash flow killer for fashion stores. Almost two-thirds of apparel merchants are sitting on surplus inventory that’s trapping vital cash in items that won’t sell. 

With fast-moving trends, unpopular colour and size variants piling up in the warehouse, and a persistent influx of returned items, fashion retailers have to navigate the risks of excess inventory more deftly than most.

That’s why Inventory Planner have put together a brand-new checklist: 10 Ways Fashion Retailers Can Reduce Inventory Overhang. It contains ten stellar tips to cut overhang and release cash right now. 

Combat that inventory hangover and get vital cash flow moving again for your business.

👉 Get the checklist right here. It’s free! 🔗https://bit.ly/3YKhVfA

NTU Students Join Us for a Technical Residency

This week the FCFTA Leicester has been providing Technical Residencies for three groups of MA International Fashion Management students from Nottingham Trent University.

Our Technical Residencies explain the garment production process in detail and attendees can gain hands-on skills and use the Academy’s state-of-the-art equipment.

One student from yesterday’s session said: “I learnt about pattern cutting and stitching. It was an amazing experience. The mentors were very friendly and helpful.”

Our FTA Technical Residencies can be adapted to suit requirements and can run for 3-hours, or take place over several days. The sessions provide excellent tuition for students, graduates, businesses, community groups, social groups and independent designers.

Deputy CEO Jackie said: “It’s amazing what can be created in just three-hours. This session really supports with understanding the skills needed in a factory and how the role and skills of a garment maker are essential in fashion.”

If you are interested in a Technical Residency please contact us: education@fashion-enter.com 

From Start Up Brand to Selfridges

This week’s featured video is from Fashion Studio client Louisa Parris. We have worked with Louisa from the very beginning and seen her beautiful brand grow and gain prestigious stockists around the globe. Watch this short YouTube video to hear how she developed her brand and her experience of working with the Fashion Studio team.

If you need fashion production the Fashion Studio can make any garment from 1 unit to 300.

Contact: thefashionstudio@fashion-enter.com 

Made to Measure CEO Experience

If you require a professional working wardrobe we provide a top-notch bespoke service on our in-house Belles of London range. From tailored trousers and pencil skirts to silk blouses and blazers, we have timeless, quality design staples that can take you from office to dinner.

On Thursday 29th March – 3pm – 7pm we are inviting a limited number of women to join us for a unique shopping experience at the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road. Attendees will be able to choose a design, select fabric and get garments tailored-made to fit perfectly by FEL’s highly experienced stitching technicians.

This unique event provides the chance to get made-to-measure, quality pieces in a relaxed, informal environment with drinks and nibbles.

Thursday 29th March – 3pm – 7pm at FC Designer Collective, 113 – 115 Fonthill Road, N4 (Just next to Finsbury Park tube station)

RSVP: beth@fashion-enter.com  

Masterclasses and Courses

Don’t miss out on our free online masterclass next Wednesday 22nd March on UK V’s Overseas Sourcing with Jackie Bertram.

Upskill with our short courses on sewing and Gerber this spring all details via the links below…

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring throughout 2023

22nd March: UK V’s Overseas Sourcing, Development and Production with Jackie Bertram (Free)

10th April: 4 Day Beginners Sewing and Upcycling Workshop

12th April: Gerber Accumark for Beginners

26th April: 10 Strategies to Create an Ethical Brand from Yarn Sourcing to Works Rights’ with Caroline Ash (Free)

24th May: Top 10 Tips to Create a Strong Team and Partnership with Your Manufacturer with Caroline Ash (Free)

Accessory of the Week

In need of some Mother’s Day inspiration? How about a beautiful silk scarf? Our in-house brand Belles of London has a selection of gorgeous designs all ethically made at our Fashion Studio in north London. Prices range from £15 – £30 tap here to view the selection.

This Week on FashionCapital…

Published on the 9th March 2023, the Reuters article titled ‘Britain’s early retired resist calls to work, despite higher living costs’ discusses the economic need for retirees to leave the golf course and re-enter work to help boost the economy. Featured in the piece is Fashion-Enter’s CEO Jenny Holloway discussing the value of older workers and the need to retain them. Tap here to read more.

And Finally…

It has been reported that Britain is the only one of the world’s seven largest advanced economies to still be smaller than it was before the pandemic, so today Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has a huge task on his hands to deliver a Spring Budget that works. Support with childcare and energy bills are set to be high on the agenda, we are waiting to hear more on this throughout the day! Find out more and comment via our social media pages: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn.

Until next time, have a great week.

The Team at FashionCapital