Spring Forward with Optimism & Opportunities
23-03-2022
Newsletter 23rd March 2022
FC Designer Workspace
3 Brands Make Their Debut
This week our attention turns to our Islington campus and the FC Designer Workspace. Spring has sprung in the UK and with it is a feeling of optimism and opportunity. Today three new modesty wear brands launched their debut collections at the Workspace where attendees were able to preview unique designs from Anaqa Apparel, ENNAY Official and Shama. All three brands have worked tremendously hard these past few months, perfecting their designs to create collections that combine covered-up style with beautiful fabrics and detailing. Along with the collections attendees were able to gain hijab styling tips, meet the designers, view stitching and pattern cutting demo’s and partake in some music and food.
Fashion-Enter Development Director, Jenni Sutton said: “Today three of our designers showcased their first ever collections in a catwalk show at the Workspace! It was so fantastic to see their hard work and creativity come to life. Each brand sent real women down the catwalk wearing chic and stylish modesty wear. Anaqa Apparel, ENNAY and Shama have all achieved so much in just six months at the Workspace, we are so proud of them and excited for what’s next with their modern modesty wear collections.”
All the designs showcased today will be available at the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road from tomorrow, 24th March.
Fonthill Road Traders
The FC Designer Workspace is closely linked with the nearby Fonthill Road Traders and we are currently working with web designers to create a unique portal dedicated to the fashion, diversity, heritage and inclusivity of Islington’s fashion retailers and designers. With our own shop situated on Fonthill Road we have built a close working relationship with the many wholesalers in the area. Yesterday, members of the FashionCapital team took part in a fashion shoot for Fonthill Road, here is a sneak peek from the shoot. More on this in due course.
GLA & ESF Creative Sector Skills Meeting
The Greater London Authority (GLA) invited Fashion-Enter Ltd to the first CAKE (Collaboration & Knowledge Exchange) event for the European Social Fund (ESF) Creative Sector Skills projects and associated projects sponsors, including Jess Mahoney from the GLA’s Culture & Creative Industries Unit and in-borough sponsors.
Taking place today (23rd March) Fashion-Enter’s ESF CEZ Tottenham N17 Creative Callings initiative was invited to the event along with five other project providers across London. Fashion-Enter’s Development Director, Jenni Sutton, discussed the project and how individuals from the creative sector have benefited and evolved their business.
Last week at the ESF celebration event Clare Bonson from DWP European Social Fund said:
“I just wanted to send my personal thanks to you all, I am so appreciative of the time and hard work you have all put into today’s ESF Celebration Event. I am sure you will all agree that it was a massive success and really showcased how people’s lives have been changed through ESF funds. I really enjoyed hearing every single story that was shared and I hope you all did as well.”
Tap here to view a short video with Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway about the N17 Creative Callings programme.
FCFTA Leicester
Celebrating Holi at FCFTA (Leicester)
Friday 18th March is Holi – this is a Hindu festival of colours and celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and for many, it’s a special day to meet others and have festivities. The FCFTA team got into the spirit early (Wednesday 16th) to celebrate the arrival of spring with colour.
What Holi means to me Divya, Administrator at FCFTA: “Holi is the day to express love towards colour. It is a time to show affection. All the colours that are on us are the colour of love, peace, joy, prosperity. We apply colour on each other, dance and have lot of fun. At the end we cannot miss to treat our tummy’s with yummy jalebis and samosas. It was very nice to celebrate this colourful festival with colourful people around you.”
Level 1 Stitching – Progress Update – Leicester
Our third group of learners are now in week 3 and are making great progress in Level 1 Stitching – this is free and funded by Community Renewal Fund for those that are unemployed.
This course is a minimum of 6 weeks in duration and covers 3 units:
- Using an industrial sewing machine
- Industrial sewing operations
- Inspection of finished sewn products
Jackie and Divya will be attending a recruitment fair at Leicester Job Centre on Wednesday 23rd March to promote the course as we will be taking new students in April.
Comments from FCFTA learners:
Binal Ramesh: ”I am really glad that I enrolled on to this course. I cherish each and every moment spent here. It is great initiative by Fashion-Enter and Leicester City Council. Earlier, I could not work or take up any qualifications due to personal commitments and taking care of my little ones. Now FCFTA has given me flexibility with timing which enables me to attend the course when my little one is at nursery. I am sure this qualification will help me to get a job when my daughter starts full time school. I have developed new skills and made few new friends. It’s all about laugh, fun and gaining knowledge. I have recommended this course to all my friends and relatives.”
Sarah Jane Campbell: “This course has helped me to gain confidence with myself. Learning a new skill and meeting new people also the ability to learn from lots of different people and areas of life. The flexibility of learning at our own place and without too much pressure really helps to get my mindset back into the world of work.”
Fashion-Enter Wales
NPTC X FEL Partnership
NPTC Newtown College in Wales has forged a unique partnership with Fashion-Enter Ltd. The college has formed a unique collaboration with FEL’s Newtown campus whereby the Creative, Visual and Performing Arts department will be putting on a summer fashion show and event. The experience will provide students with the opportunity to design, develop and produce their creative ideas, courtesy of the Kornit Digital printer and FEL’s manufacturing capabilities.
Fashion show aside the NPTC X FEL partnership will provide opportunities for further skills training and work experience. The college is now supporting FEL in its quest to recruit suitable local staff for its factory and is promoting the Level 1 stitching qualification and programme. The company will be delivering the training through its established educational division and will be a sub-contractor to the College which is supporting delivery. It’s also working with the College to develop an apprenticeship programme.
If you are interested in joining the free Level 1 Stitching course and learning from the best seamstresses, some of whom are ex-Laura Ashley staff with more than 30-years’ experience, then please contact: info@fashion-enter.com Here are two of our current cohorts getting to grips with the machines.
Novel Yarn Project
This past week Eddie Bebb, Commercial Manager at Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales, has continued the ongoing desktop research for the four month Novel Yarn recycling feasibility study with SMARTCryum with a focus on cotton staple. To read more about this project and Eddie’s cotton staple research tap here.
FTA London
Patterns Party
Our January / February cohort of pattern cutting students have just celebrated completing their course. The 20 Level 1 and 2 learners worked really hard and have gained knowledge and skills that will last a lifetime. The group celebrated with a party, congratulations all and best of luck!
If you would like to find out more about our pattern cutting courses tap here.
Filming at the Factory
On Monday 21st March, a film crew was on site to interview Fashion Studio Assistant Georgia Fletcher and Production Director Caroline Ash for a National Skills Campaign. As an employee case study Georgia talked about her apprenticeship with Fashion-Enter and her progression into a full-time career. Filming went really well and we can’t wait to see the footage.
Flexible Learning for Busy Individuals
Our Technical Design & Pattern Cutting CAD Saturday course is due to commence from Saturday 2nd April 2022. With just a few places left this 1-day a week & online course offers a step-by-step, easy to understand process of creating patterns and fashion designs from scratch. It also provides a combined solution with the use of CAD software.
If you want to design your own fabulous collections that fit perfectly and are production ready register now. This course combines class based sessions on a Saturday in north London and online learning with tutor support.
Tap here for further details and to sign up.
Masterclasses and Courses
Meet Designer Louisa Parris (Date TBC – free)
Technical Design and Pattern Cutting CAD Course (2 April 12-weekly Saturday classes with online support)
Gerber 3-day course for beginners (6 – 8 April)
Optitex 2D & 3D 3-Day Course (26 – 28 April)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
Spring has now officially started! And we have a selection of colours and prints that say ‘hello spring / summer season,’ such as this beautiful Liberty floral print cotton. Available at the FCFabricStudio now at £18 per metre.
This Week on FashionCapital…
Over the last two years experts were recommending that retailers extend their returns policy to offset the lockdown-inspired uncertainty and challenges that have arisen from Brexit. In this article, Al Gerrie, CEO at ZigZag Global unpacks returns to help you better understand the long and the short of the returns window discussion.
And Finally…
Stuck for Mother’s Day ideas? Then why not consider gifting your mother an appointment with us! With our in-house fashion brand Belles of London we can make any design you or your mum has ever dreamed of and fit it perfectly. What better gift than a unique, made to measure, quality garment? Tap here to find out how to get an appointment.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the team at FashionCapital
