Starting a Microfactory Revolution
05-05-2021
Newsletter 5th May 2021
Your On-Demand Textile Production Starts Here
Very exciting news! Over the last few months we have been working with ASOS to partner with Kornit Digital, a worldwide market leader in digital textile printing technology, to develop sustainable on-demand textile production.
Officially announced yesterday, 4th May 2021, we are now working with Kornit Presto, the most advanced single-step solution for direct-to-fabric printing to rapidly deliver test-and-repeat small product runs on behalf of ASOS. These production capabilities will enable ASOS and Fashion-Enter Ltd to imprint designs on multiple fabrics at the push of a button, through a lower-impact production process that has zero water waste and accelerates production speeds by cutting out typical dyeing processes.
Jenny Holloway, CEO at Fashion-Enter Ltd, said: “We have worked with ASOS since 2008 and understand their commitment to quality ethical production and speed-of-response fashion.
“Working collaboratively with both ASOS and Kornit, Fashion-Enter will develop an in-house new microfactory concept providing an innovative interconnected fashion world, which has the capacity to eliminate waste, risks, limitations, and pollutants from current out-dated batch production.
“Our designer clients from our Fashion Studio services will also benefit from a fully-integrated design service with Kornit’s Presto printer incorporating one-piece flow, further pushing the boundaries in the consumer’s voice for transparent speed-of-response fashion. We foresee this unique collaboration as a major step-change in fashion today creating a new ethical and sustainable fashion community.”
To find out more about this exciting development tap here to read the full press release, or view press coverage via Fashion United and @ASOS_news on Twitter.
Join Jenny Holloway for ‘Beyond 2020’ Online ASBCI Conference
Next Wednesday, 12th May, the ASBCI presents the third and final event in their series focused on the future of the fashion industry. Beyond 2020: Survival of the Smartest. The online conference will bring together experts from across the supply chain to discuss a route to a smarter future for the fashion industry post pandemic.
Speakers for the day include: Marcella Wartenbergh – CEO, Pepe Jeans, Ton Weidenhoff – Executive Director, Alvanon, Ed Gribbin – CEO, Gribbin Strategic, Jenny Holloway – CEO, Fashion-Enter and Andrew Nicholson – Kulea.
This conference is organised by the ASBCI with event partner Lectra and the charge is £25 + vat for ASBCI members and £75 + vat for non-members – register now and you will receive an e-mail nearer the event date with the link to make secure online payment, once verified you will receive the link to join the event. To register your interest in reserving a place, click here.
Next Masterclass Not to Miss…
Next Thursday 13th May from 10am – 12pm Fashion Wholesale & Brand Launch Expert, Carley Johnson will be hosting the next N17 Creative Callings online seminar: Your Omnichannel Strategy – How to Launch on Ecommerce. In this session she will cover:
- What does a good omnichannel strategy look like for fashion brands?
- How to know if your fashion brand is ready to approach 3rd party eCommerce?
- How to find the right 3rd party platform for your fashion brand.
- 10 sales channels you should be selling your fashion brand on.
- Essential for today’s fashion brands, attendees will get the chance to ask questions at the end of session.
This masterclass is free for N17 Creative Callings participants please email jenni@fashion-enter.com to confirm your place, the session is also available to non-N17 Creative Callings participants at the cost of £10- Tap here to book your place.
LCF Virtual Factory Tour
This week we hosted two groups of students from London College of Fashion studying Fashion Buying and Merchandising on a virtual tour of the Factory. The aim of the session was to support the students with their module ‘Product Development.’ Production Director Caroline Ash led each tour and key points of discussion included:
- The critical path – what it is, why it is important as well as an introduction to the key elements within.
- An introduction to costings and negotiation.
- The supply chain.
- Suppliers and the importance of buyer/supplier relationships.
- An overview of Optitex.
Following the session the students commented that they found Caroline very knowledgeable and loved the insight onto the factory floor.
Tap here to find out more about our educational tours.
Apprenticeships and Jobs Available Now
Just in…3 new apprenticeship job vacancies with Sew It In London, a new apprenticeship position with Mountain Warehouse, along with a Junior Garment Technologist required for maternity cover at Mint Velvet. For all the latest apprenticeships and job offers visit: https://fcfta.com/jobs
Excellent Feedback from The Matrix Standard
Matrix assessor Kathy Leahy visited Fashion-Enter’s educational division, the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA), on the 23rd of March 2021, to formally assess the learning facility and its staff. We have now received her full report that lists the Academy’s strengths and highlights areas for development. Overall Kathy gave the FTA a very positive assessment that was compiled by interviewing staff, learners, partners along with the submission of documentary evidence. Well done FTA!
A PDF of the report can be found here.
Business Bundles for Start Up Brands
FC Business bundles are here to support your brand every step of the way from initial sketches to production, we have carefully crafted support bundles which have examples and templates with in-depth guides to ensure you cover every area and make your brand a success! To view the bundles visit the FC Shop.
Masterclasses and Courses:
N17 Creative Callings: Your Omnichannel Strategy – How to Launch on Ecommerce (online)
Gerber Accumark 3-day Course for Beginners – June
N17 Creative Callings: How to Do Your Own PR (online)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
Inspired by tonight’s Great British Sewing Bee we have channelled artist Frieda Kahlo with a fabric that is bold, colourful and floral. Available now at £6 per metre at the FCFabricStudio this floral print viscose is sure to get you noticed.
This Week on FashionCapital…
Highly recommended for your creative business – N17 Creative Callings
And Finally…
Would you like to win a £250 voucher to spend at theBofLondon?
To enter all you have to do is:
1. Find our giveaway post on Instagram
2. Follow us @boflondon
3. Tag anyone who would love to enter the giveaway
4. Share the post on your stories (the more you share, the more entries you receive)
The winner will be announced on 17th May just in time to dress up & go out!
Until next time, the team wish you a great week.