Source Fashion Opens + Free Masterclasses
14-01-2026
Newsletter 14th January 2026
Source Fashion Trade Show Now Open
Yesterday, 13th January, Source Fashion opened its doors at Olympia London to buyers, brands and manufacturers from across the global fashion industry. Day 1 presented a strong early attendance and high-quality buyer engagement with representatives from Marks & Spencer, Tesco, ASOS, Harrods, Agent Provocateur, Moss, JustFab, Universal Music Group and more.
Exhibitors, including Fashion-Enter Ltd and Leicester based brands showcasing with the ATMF, reported on high-quality conversations with buyers, including meaningful discussions around long-term partnerships, responsible manufacturing and transparent sourcing.
The 3-day event runs until Thursday 15th January and includes seminars, catwalk shows and hands-on workshops, such as FEL’s Repair and Upcycling session with John Herrera and Lan Leeder, alongside hundreds of exhibitors.
Come and visit the FEL team on Stand M18.
Tap here for free registration
Sponsor Opportunity: Leicester Made & Regions 2026
(Leicester Made 2025 included insightful panel discussions, exclusive factory visits, and a high-profile CEO/C-Suite roundtable with Labour MP for Leicester West, Liz Kendall.)
Leicester Made & Regions 2026 returns on 24th – 25th April 2026 at De Montfort University, Leicester, bringing together the UK’s fashion and textile industry at a critical moment for British manufacturing.
Building on the success of Leicester Made 2025, the expanded 2026 event offers sponsors a high-impact platform to align with ethical UK production, regional growth and future-focused innovation.
Why Get Involved?
- Align your brand with British-made, transparent and sustainable supply chains
- Engage directly with industry leaders, policymakers and decision-makers
- Support regional manufacturers, skills development and economic regeneration
- Access B2B networking (Industry Day) and consumer-facing exposure (Public Day)
- Position your organisation as a leader shaping the future of UK fashion
Organised by Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) and the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF), Leicester Made & Regions is a powerful statement of commitment to the UK fashion and textile sector.
24th – 25th April 2026, The Venue, De Montfort University, Leicester
Sponsorship enquiries: beth@fashion-enter.com
To register your attendance tap here
January’s Free Online Masterclass
Understanding Fabric from Fibre to Finish is a one-hour session led by Niall Maplesden, Director of The Knowledge Nexus and a leading expert in textile technology and compliance. Designed for designers, emerging brands and sourcing teams, the masterclass explores how fibre choice, spinning, fabric construction, dyeing and finishing impact fabric performance, quality and sustainability. Drawing on decades of industry experience, Niall will also share insights into new innovations and evolving legislation shaping the future of textiles.
This masterclass takes place Thursday 29th January 10 – 11am via Zoom, register for your free place and a link will be emailed to you closer to the date.
Fashion Hub Leicester…
Free Masterclass: How to Get Factory-Ready Before You Spend a Penny
Fashion Hub Leicester will host a free industry masterclass for emerging designers on Thursday 22nd January 2026 (10:00–11:00am) at Phoenix House, Leicester. How to Get Factory-Ready Before You Spend a Penny, led by industry expert Caroline Trend, is a practical, in-person session designed to help early-stage designers understand what UK manufacturers need before taking on a project. The workshop will cover preparation of designs and tech packs, fabrics and trims, costs, MOQs, timelines and common mistakes that can delay or derail production.
Places are limited — registration is essential, tap here to save your place
New Basic Digital Skills Course
On 12th January 2026, Fashion Hub / FTA Leicester launched a new Basic Digital Skills course to support learners on its Stitching and Skills Bootcamp. Delivered in partnership with Wesley Hall Community Centre, the five-week programme equips learners with essential digital skills, from basic IT and online safety to accessing key services, helping remove barriers to employment, training and everyday independence. The initiative reflects Fashion Hub’s continued commitment to learner progression, digital inclusion and community partnership.
Tap here to read more about this new course
Courses Workshops and Masterclasses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Fashion Design:
6th, 13th, 20th, 27th Feb – Fashion Design for Beginners – FC Designer Workspace – £180 + eventbrite fee
Pattern Cutting:
24th Jan – Creative Pattern Cutting: Skirt Adaption – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Corset Making:
17th January – Saturday Introduction to Corset Making – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Fashion Illustration:
14th February – 1-Day Fashion Illustration for Beginners Saturday Class – FC Designer Workspace – £45 + eventbrite fee
Repair & Upcycling:
27th Jan – Free Repair and Upcycling Drop-In – FC Designer Collective shop – free
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
Free Business Masterclass:
22nd Jan – How to Get Factory-Ready Before You Spend a Penny – Free in-person masterclass at Fashion Hub Leicester, Phoenix House
29th Jan – Understanding Fabric from Fibre to Finish – Free Online Masterclass 10am – 11am (register your place and a Zoom link will be emailed closer to the date)
This Week on FashionCapital…
France Moves First on PFAS: What Fashion Brands Need to Know for 2026
And Finally…FEL’s Ofsted Report
FEL’s educational division was inspected by Ofsted in November and the report is now live here. FEL received a green ‘expected standard’ rating using the exceptionally stringent new scorecard system. FEL’s Head of Education, Lan Leeder commented:
“This is a great result for the team following the Ofsted visit. I am proud of every single team member at the FTA. Achieving seven ‘Expected Standards’ in Safeguarding, Inclusion, Adult Learning Programmes, and Apprenticeships shows that we have met Ofsted’s expectations as a provider. This success reflects the hard work we all put in to support our learners in achieving their goals. However, there is still work to be done. We are now working closely with Kurt Hintz, on our Non Executive Board, to review our provision and to make changes and improvements for the FTA.”
To find out more about the courses and apprenticeships FEL offers at the FTA, Fashion Hub and FC Designer Workspace please visit: https://fcfta.com/
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital / Fashion-Enter Ltd
