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The UK is Ready for Ethical Sustainable Production

26-02-2020   


FashionCapital Newsletter

Wednesday 26th February 2020

Dear all,


Talking Immigration and Low Skilled Workers

Fashion-Enter has been all over the media this past week discussing the topic of immigration and ‘low skilled workers’ – those falling into the ‘low-skilled’ category include our very own production workers; the skilled industrial machinists working on Fashion-Enter’s factory floor!

Last Wednesday 19th February, the ITN News interviewed Jenny and some of the staff at the factory. To read the full story click here. This was also covered by Drapers, compiled by Grace Whelan her article ‘Manufacturers slam new immigration system’ was also published on the 19th.

Jenny was additionally interviewed as a MAKE UK Conference delegate for Sky News. Speaking about UK manufacturing, coronavirus, investment and training, Jenny mentioned the ‘low skilled worker’ topic and even invited the PM Boris Johnson to the Factory to see how experienced and skilled production workers are!

To have you say on this topic visit Jenny Holloway’s Linked In page and comment in the thread ‘ITN last night’.

N17 Creative Callings: First Employer Engagement Session

Last Thursday 20th February Fashion-Enter Ltd held their first N17 Creative Callings Employer Engagement programme with a four-hour session on ‘How to Run your Business Successfully – Profit is Sanity’. The session provided an informal but pragmatic styled seminar that fully engaged all attendees, it was clear that one of the main starting points for the creatives was the identification of marketing strategy and building brands to win online. To read the full story click here.

Feedback included:

“From this session I have learnt about marketing, cash flow, time management, strategy and target market.” – Graham

“I am learning more about the N17 Creative Callings project. I enjoyed talking about Omni-channels. I hadn’t really thought or understood the importance of this.” – Sisi

“I learnt about SWOT analysis and the image of the brand. I found out how to transform a money making design so that it sustains the profitability.” – Omar

‘Made By Tottenham’ aims to support creative people and businesses to stay and grow in Tottenham, creating more jobs, vibrancy and real opportunities for local people. Focusing on supporting residents to unlock their creative skills and get the jobs that come with a growing creative economy. Core creative sectors in Tottenham are fashion and textiles, music, small-scale manufacturing and making.

The next meeting for employers is ‘Budgets Forecast and Cashflow for Creatives’ with Nigel Rust on Thursday 5th March 2020 2 – 5pm. View all the N17 Creative Callings seminar sessions here.

If you have just started or are looking to grow a small business in the Tottenham CEZ area, then please get in touch and we will advise on how N17 Creative Callings can help you and your business. Contact Esme: esme@fashion-enter.com

MAKE UK Conference

Yesterday (25th February) Jenny Holloway attended the MAKE UK Conference at the QEII Centre, London. Fashion-Enter-Ltd is strongly linked to MAKE UK, formerly known as the EEF. Jenny is on the EMPOL committee and is a staunch supporter of ensuring that skilled machinists are on the OSL (Occupational shortages list.) The conference brought manufacturers across the country together to discuss the latest processes and practices in line with the current manufacturing climate. Key policy makers and thought leaders were also on-hand to discuss, debate and inspire.

See You at Make It British Live! 17th & 18th March

The team will be back at Make it British Live! 17th & 18th March at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London. Now in it’s 7th year, Make it British Live! has established itself as the UK’s leading sourcing event for the complete supply chain. As a Made in Britain manufacturer we have fully supported this event from the outset. Come and find us on stand G24 as well as on stage to discuss ‘How to find an ethical factory.’ Click the link for more info: Make it British Live!

Telestia Taster 

As landfill becomes an increasing problem at a global level it’s time to review the fit of garments and ensure that patterns are correct for today’s market. Telestia is an online resource that enables patterns, sewing and grading to take place for women’s, men’s and childrenswear designers. Cost effective and flexible the courses are reviewed so you can establish which is the right course and software for your brand.

Practical demonstrations will take place with the Telestia tool, learn how to create your own blouse block in just 20-minutes!

Telestia Pattern Cutting Taster Masterclass takes place Friday 13th March, 10am – 4pm at FTA, Unit 13 /14, Crusader Estate, 167 Hermitage Road, London N4 1LZ and costs £65- please note that discounts apply for N17 Creative Callings and Islington residents – please contact Esme esme@fashion-enter.com if this applies to you.  

New Coast Account

A new client for the Fashion-Enter factory is the women’s occasionwear brand – Coast. Caroline Ash, Production Director at Fashion-Enter commented: “We are all delighted to have opened this account with Coast which is part of the BooHoo Group.  We find their way of working refreshing – they come with their order book and write out the order there and then!  We are looking forward to really growing this account.”

Click here to find out more about the Factory.

Apprenticeship Posts Available

New Look and Fashion-Enter are looking for apprentices to join their busy teams. Tap here to find out more and apply. Please note that the Mountain Warehouse positions have now been filled – we will be announcing the two lucky apprentices in due course.

Former Bridge Learners Reprocess Returns to Exceptional Standards

The Bridge is an initiative by the Fashion Technology Academy to give strong learners from our Stitching courses extra tuition so they are industry ready. We’re happy to announce that Muliciat and Hewie are now part of our Stitching team and are currently working on reprocessing of returns for ASOS.com.
 
Leyla Stitching Tutor commented: “I reckon we have saved ASOS.com over £25,000 by reprocessing work that can now go back on sale.  Everything we do we want to be the best we can. We have hand-stitched on pearls, sequins and jewels making sure we make the returns better than ever.  If we can extend this service to any other retailer our team is waiting.”

GLAA Group Take the Factory Uncovered Short Course

Yesterday, 25th February, the team welcomed a group from the GLAA for a Factory Uncovered masterclass. The full-day, ABC Accredited short course covered the many aspects of garment manufacturing today from ethical audits to making in the UK to the complete garment life cycle.
 
Jenny Holloway commented:  “We were absolutely delighted to show how an ethical factory can work in the UK today and highlight the sharp practices that can go on. Why should we extensively invest in all processes and procedures to make sure we are 100% squeaky clean whilst other factories undercut and give prices that cannot possibly be at a minimum wage for machinists.  We wholeheartedly support the GLAA and look forward to working with the various enforcement bodies again.”
 
Caroline added: “This just goes to show how good our ethical seminars are for all the FE and HE Colleges we had in this week including the Fashion Retail Academy and Trent College.  We want to spread the word that the UK is here ready and waiting for ethical, sustainable production.”

Post-seminar Trent College Tweeted: Without doubt, the best Business related visit I’ve been on. Thank you Caroline @FashionCapital for a superb factory tour and Business talk. 

Masterclasses Coming Soon…

N17 Creative Callings: ‘Budgets Forecast and Cashflow for Creatives’ – Thursday 5th March 

Your Body; Your Block – Constructing a Bodice Block – Tuesday 10th March 

Telestia Pattern Cutting Taster – Friday 13th March 

N17 Creative Callings: What’s Happening in Fashion Today – Wednesday 11th March

Gerber AccuMark Digital Pattern Making for Beginners – 14 / 21 / 28 March 

TR Pattern Cutting Taster – Saturday 14th March 2020.

Fabric Appreciation Taster – Wednesday 18th March 2020.

N17 Creative Callings: How to Realise Your Goals Personally & Professionally – Thursday 19th March

N17 Creative Callings: Meet the Buyer – Wednesday 8th April

The Power of Your Mindset with Eric Gilston – (Free) Thursday 16th April 

N17 Creative Callings: Trend Analysis AW20/21 & SS21 – Thursday 23rd April

What Makes a Factory Leading Status in the Ethical Fast Forward Audit – Wednesday 29th April 

TR Pattern Cutting Taster – Saturday 9th May 

Fabric Swatch of the Week

Just in…this china blue floral scuba, super stretchy this fabric can give structure to any garment. Available at the FCFabricStudio at £4.50 per metre.

This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

LFW AW20 – Collections, Competitions and Coronavirus.
 
N17 Creative Callings Business Profile: Meet Fashion Consultant Lauren Morrison.
 
And we offer 5 top wellness tips for those working in the fashion industry.

And Finally…

Best-seller news from our in-house brands: Belles of London – the Grace zebra wrap dress and B of London diffusion line – the Tessa slinky black dress. Which is your favourite? New styles dropping soon!

More from the FashionCapital team next time.




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