The Future of British Fashion
23-05-2025
Newsletter 16th April 2025
You’re Invited…
We are exactly 1-month away from the Leicester Made 1-day trade event to showcase a selection of amazing and ethical suppliers based in and around the Leicester region. The timing couldn’t be more apt, especially now, in the heat of world tariff discussions and greenwashing tactics.
If brands want to be truly sustainable then the answer is to manufacture little and often within the country of origin – no flying garments all around the world, no ‘Made in the UK’ labels sewn into garments made elsewhere! (Have you seen the latest social media posts from Chinese factories exposing luxury brands worldwide?!)
Come and meet the exhibitors and industry professionals that are dedicated to investing in forward-thinking solutions to support working communities, the economy and the environment!
Leicester Made, sponsored by Kornit Digital, Style3D, Alvanon and ASBCI, Wednesday 14th May 10am – 10pm Athena Events Venue, Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QD.
Tap here to register your free place.
For exhibitor opportunities or general enquiries, contact beth@fashion-enter.com
Did You Hear Us on BBC Radio Leicester?
This morning our CEO Jenny Holloway was joined by Simon Platts, Co Founder of SP&KO Responsible Sourcing, for a radio interview with Ben Jackson to highlight the investment, efficiency and dedication of Leicester’s fashion and textile industry.
Talking about negative media coverage of Leicester’s garment industry in the past Jenny said: “There was a report by Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Margaret Beels, that determined Leicester was no better or worse than anybody else, and that the garment making sector was no better or worse than other sectors, such as hospitality, construction, nail bars etc. So, I think Leicester has had a bit of a battering and it was very unfair. You do have those people working under the radar, that have been pushed down on price by some of the retailers as well, but now we have some amazing manufacturers, factories, printers and that’s why we are doing Leicester Made.”
Simon added: “You start to value the things that speed and agility can give you, such as being less wasteful, and that talks to things like your carbon footprint. What we’ve got in Leicester now are the people that are really invested in their manufacturing or procedures to get them as efficient as possible.”
To listen to the full interview go to BBC Radio Leicester Wednesday 16th April 10:15am.
Leicester Made Speaker Spotlight: Salli Deighton – LaundRe
Salli Deighton has a wealth of experience in the denim sector working with brands Wrangler and Lee and building a career in denim design and product development for some of the largest retailers and brands. In a mission to
disrupt denim fast fashion, reduce denim waste and enable denim circularity on-shore Salli founded LaundRe.
LaundRe takes new or used jeans and changes the design / worn look / shade so the garment is elevated with a new wash for full price resale. Unsold denim stock can be repurposed into new items using clean, laser, ozone and nebulising technology which minimises water consumption.
LaundRe has also piloted ‘ReBorn’ a pioneering project taking dirty discarded jeans from a London recycler and refinishing them into premium vintage garments ‘As new’.
Salli will be joining the Leicester Made the Sustainability and Circular Economy Panel debate at 1.15pm to discuss waste reduction, upcycling and responsible material sourcing.
Hope-FX 2 is a Winner
We’re delighted to confirm that the new participants in the HOPE-FX mental health wellbeing programme, with North London NHS Foundation Trust, is achieving all expectations.
With double the participants in this cohort and a new programme we’re centring on opening career horizons, In yesterday’s class, 15th April, the group had a presentation by Loop Kinetics / Maeknit with Mallory Epping and Naeem Riaz, updating their new studio for knitting. This will be the first knitting academy in the UK and we’re delighted to be working together. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the latest technology available…
3-Day Tiered Dress Course
The Fashion Hub in Leicester has just completed a 3-day tiered dress course with fantastic feedback from participants, 2 of which were lecturers from Manchester University.
“Amazing course. This was my first sewing course and I was impressed that we were guided from pattern through to sewing. It was great that we could be creative and customise our design. Great atmosphere and interested in future courses.”
Want to know more about the courses and workshops at FEL’s Fashion Hub in Leicester? Please contact: divya@fashion-enter.com
Repair & Upcycle Drop In Sessions Twice-A-Month Dates
Yesterday, 15th April, our free repair and upcycling drop-in at the shop was a hive of activity. It was wonderful to not only see repairs and upcycling in action but people connecting and socialising.
Whether you are in need of school uniform repairs or alterations, or want to upcycle some unworn garments we have expert technicians on-hand in our fully equipped shop on Fonthill Road.
Supported by Islington Council, these drop in sessions provide informal support and advice to ensure you get the most out of your clothes, resulting in less landfill.
The sessions run from 10am – 4pm and participants can drop in throughout the day, to check out the next dates and confirm your place please visit our eventbrite page.
Illustration Workshop with Couture Designer & Tutor John Herrera
Join Paris Fashion Week designer John Herrera this Saturday for his 1-day illustration workshop, last few places remaining. With John’s knowledge of creative illustration, haute couture, draping, patterns and construction combined with a natural and approachable teaching ability this is a fabulous opportunity.
John is offering Saturday workshops on:
Bodice and Collar Pattern Cutting
Collar and Sleeve Pattern Cutting
Plus, John will be speaking at our free monthly masterclass next week Thursday 24th April at 10am. Hear all about; the evolvement of his couture label, his design process, draping and pattern cutting skills, his love of teaching and sharing his expertise, getting his work shown at prestigious Fashion Week events and more. Tap here to register and you’ll be emailed a Zoom link closer to the date.
To find out more and book click on the links, all the workshops take place at the FC Designer Workspace on Durham Road, closest tube Finsbury Park, and are affordably priced.
Masterclasses and Courses
Roll-on courses:
Available at all campuses Islington, Haringey and Leicester.
Diploma in Fashion Design and Business
Stitching:
22 April – 3-Day Intermediate Stitching Course – Mastering Garment Construction – FC Designer Workspace – £90
Pattern Cutting:
23 April – 3-Day Gerber Accumark for Beginners Course – FTA, Unit 4 Crusader Estate, Haringey – £499
Illustration:
19 April – 1-Day Fashion Illustration for Beginners Course – FC Designer Workspace – £35
Upcycling:
29 April – Free Textile Recycling and Repair Drop In – FC Designer Collective shop – Free
Support and Advice:
24 April – Masterclass with Designer John Herrera – Via Zoom – Free
For more dates and courses tap here.
For all course enquiries contact: education@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311
This Week on FashionCapital…
DRIFT Features FEL X Bravado Rolling Stones Upcycled Collection
And Finally…
Congratulations to Leicester’s Level 1 and 2 learner’s receiving their certificates today – handed out by Peter Chandler, Head of Economic Regeneration at Leicester City Council. Also, congratulations to our successful Skills Bootcamp participants, the fourth individual on this programme has gained full time employment – this is a great example of industry and education working as one!
Until next time, have a great week.
From the Team at FashionCapital
