Restoring the Ethics of Made in Leicester

Newsletter 15th June 2022 

See You At Meet & Greet Leicester Tomorrow

Tomorrow is a big day for the textiles and manufacturing sector in Leicester, as we host a unique Meet & Greet day-long event. In complete contrast to recent press and reports on the unethical side of Leicester’s factories, and clearly more needs to be done, we are focusing on those that are providing quality services from a skilled and happy workforce. Leicester offers a diverse and vibrant selection of textile and apparel manufacturers’ and tomorrow we will celebrate this.

As you know Fashion-Enter has been at the forefront in delivering a UK first – an accredited Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation course, and the feedback from both workers and factory owners has been 100% positive.

Join us tomorrow, 16th June, at Athena in Leicester to meet and talk to over 30 garment and textile businesses and local designers. The day will also include educational sessions for local schools and will culminate in a fashion show produced by Mode Collective. 

Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter, said: “It’s time to be proud of Leicester manufacturers. Proximity sourcing is the only way forward for transparency and speed of response and thanks to the council’s successful bid to the government’s Community Renewal Fund, we were able to host this factory exhibition and showcase the factories’ work in our fashion show.

“We want to engage with schools too in the community to encourage pupils to consider how great manufacturing is, and educate the next generation about the different jobs there are in the sector.” 

There are a few places left – please contact: jackie@fashion-enter.com to gain access to the trade and fashion show or tap here to register.

More News From the Fashion-Enter Family…

Wales

Book Your Seat for The Fashion Event

The attention maybe on Leicester this week but in just over 3-weeks time all eyes will turn to Newtown for The Fashion Event – Made in Wales extravaganza.

Join NPTC Group of Colleges and Fashion-Enter as we showcase the latest student collections; a collaboration that brings together fashion, culture, manufacturing and sustainability, against the impressive backdrop of Newtown; a location steeped in fashion history.

The Fashion Event will be hosted by S4C’s BAFTA Cymru-winning presenter Mari Lövgreen and will include high profile guest speaker Simon Platts, Director of Responsible Sourcing for ASOS, for a night not to be missed. Friday 8th July, 7pm ’till Late. Tickets are free but limited so don’t miss out on the event of the season! Tap here to register your attendance.

Islington

FC Designer Workspace Open Day

Next Tuesday 21st June you are welcome to drop in to an Open Day at the FC Designer Workspace and learn about the FREE Level 1 courses we have starting June 27th. Open from 10am, talk to our tutors & have a go on the machines! To find out more about our free Level 1 courses (for unemployed, low income and London borough residents) contact jenni@fashion-enter.com 

FC Designer Workspace, 9 Durham Road, Finsbury Park, N7 7FB.

Repair & Upcycle Free Workshop

Join us at the Workspace for this month’s free Repair & Upcycle Workshop! Each month FTA tutor Ana, plus assistants, will teach you how to flip your thrifts and existing clothes instead of throwing them out. The next workshop will take place Friday 24th June, 10am – 2pm. Places are limited tap here to book your place.

Gain Business Insight 

Gain insight on how to build your business with one of the world’s first Fairtrade Gold license holders & Central St Martins Graduate, Sally Leonard. Sally specialises in working with small, creative-led businesses to help them identify and reach their business and professional goals. 

She produces high-end ethical bespoke pieces, alongside working as a business consultant for over 15-years, supporting & mentoring creative businesses & start-ups.

In this free session Sally will cover topics such as how you pay yourself, who you should work with, plus more business-related questions. This free business masterclass takes place on 23rd June at the FC Designer Workspace in Finsbury Park and is supported by the Islington Business Recovery Fund.

Places are limited for more info & to book tap here.

Save the Date – Anaqaa Apparel In-Store Event

The FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road will be hosting another in-store event this time featuring exclusive designs from Anaqaa Apparel. Come along to the shop on Saturday 16th July  12 – 5pm for a preview of new designs by ALAS by Anaqaa Apparel, special event discounts, music, canapés and more. 

FC Designer Collective, 113-115, Fonthill Road, London N4 3HH. Close to Finsbury Park tube station.

Haringey

Visit The Factory on National Manufacturing Day

National Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for manufacturers’ to showcase the range of highly skilled staff and jobs they have on offer by throwing open their doors in a UK wide Open House taking place on Thursday 7 July 2022. Fashion-Enter Ltd will be taking part – check back for further details.

FashTech Innovation Centre Review

Dawn Foxall from the Textiles Skills Centre compiled a fantastic article on the Kornit Digital X Fashion-Enter FashTech Innovation Centre, tap here to view (page 23) and read.

Jobs and Apprenticeships

We currently have a range of jobs and apprenticeships, in-house and external, on offer in London and Leicester please tap here to view all current vacancies.

Masterclasses and Courses

Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses (Next start date 27th June) 

How to Grow Sales downloadable masterclasses with Carley Johnson

Free Sewing masterclasses in Islington (Throughout May & June)

Leicester – Manufacturing Meet & Greet event (16th June)

Free Business Masterclass with Sally Leonard (23rd June)

Gerber Accumark 3-day course for Beginners (6th July)

Garment of the Week

As it’s super ‘scorchio’ we have picked out this Belles of London multi-tasking swimsuit that not only looks fantastic by the pool or on the beach but as a bodysuit combined with a floaty skirt. Made in London from recycled fabric this one-piece is available in sizes 6 to 18.

This Week on FashionCapital…

Textile and apparel companies could be missing out on billions of dollars in net profit enhancement from a lack of supply chain traceability, according to Planet Tracker’s latest report

And Finally…

Want to see what goes on at the Workspace? As a part of the London Festival of Architecture this Saturday 18th from 2 – 5pm the FC Designer Workspace will open its doors. This community event will include and celebrate local artists, weavers, media enterprises and makers, as well as architectural practices Levitt Bernstein and NOOMA opening in Thane Works, and we will be open to showcase our courses and services with live demonstrations. Do pop by!

Until next time, have a lovely, sunny week.

The Team at FashionCapital