Thinking Lean – Fashion’s Future

09-10-2019

Newsletter 9th October 2019
Dear all,
The Tailoring Academy Countdown
It’s just over a month until we open the doors of our state of the art Tailoring Academy! While the builders finish preparing the 11,500 square foot space the team have finalised the details on all the courses the Tailoring Academy will provide. Alongside tailoring specific courses such as Introductory, Intermediary and the Accelerator to Bespoke Cutting Diploma the academy will also offer options in Pattern Cutting, Stitching Skills, Production Skills, EFI Optitex Digital Solutions, Retail & Management as well as a variety of Taster Courses. The rolling programme will include courses at all levels of ability and will be fully announced in due course.

If you are interested in a course and would like to find out more please contact Stephanie: stephanie@fashion-enter.com
Making In The UK is Viable & Affordable

CEO Jenny Holloway comments: “There are ways forward and our ethical fully audited (SMETA & Fast Forward) factory in North London proves it. We are competitive on price and we’re paying London warehouse rents too!
“We’re totally lean and finding ways to be leaner with new technology advancements such as EFI Optitex – 3D Virtual Prototyping, 2D CAD/CAM Software Solutions and now Twine – dying yarns to match production requirements.
“Our machinists rates of pay are very good, above the London Living Wage, because we have Galaxius and it’s a performance related pay system. Lord Wolfson from Next Ltd came to see for himself how this works and it does!
“But the biggest impact is that speed of response fashion gives retailers flexibility. We now have smaller dockets, which have to be made within 2-3 weeks but they sell out at full prices so people’s propensity to keep the garments is higher.
“We’re going into unchartered territory with Brexit. Retailers should be joined at the hip now with manufacturers.”
Lean & Nimble – Strategies for a Changing Retail Landscape

This leads nicely into our Retail Redefined: You Must Change or You Will Die 1-day seminar taking place on Thursday 17th October. The high street has taken a severe battering over the last decade and those that remain to do well have adapted and implemented new strategies in line with today’s consumer.
James Stewart Director of Lean at Burberry explains why lean strategies are the way forward:
“I can see first hand the importance that the Toyota business model or ‘Lean’ will have if your organisation is to survive in this industry. This happened and continues to happen in the automotive industry. As Burberry’s Director of Lean Transformation I believe there is only one way forward for retailers today. They must understand these new principals of a pull not push business model, flow V’s batch production and true customer centricity.
“This is why I’ve coordinated a top level accredited seminar with leading international speakers from some of those retailers who adopted this model. They can share their own experiences with huge success within their organisations who are now leading in their sectors of retail. I believe if retailers do not change now they will die!”
This high level accredited Level 5 CPPD session will include guest speakers from Kaizen Institute, Farfetch, Sonae Group, FNAC, Leroy Merlin and Fashion-Enter will provide crucial insights that leading CEO/ COO and decision-making directors need to hear.
The seminar is strictly limited to ten places and will take place at Fashion Enter HQ, Haringey with an 8.30am breakfast start and post-workshop drinks at 5.30pm. Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of Strat to Action – The KAIZEN method for turning Strategy into Action by Alberto Bastos & Charlie Sharman.
To enquire and book a place please contact: stephanie@fashion-enter.com
New Look FCFabricStudio

The new look FCFabricStudio has arrived! Please browse our latest fabrics available to buy by the metre, plus tips & tricks, classes to improve your making skills and more. Visit: www.fcfabricstudio.com
Fashion-Enter CEO to Speak at EFI Optitex Event

Our CEO, Jenny Holloway, has been confirmed as a guest speaker at the EFI Optitex – ‘Connecting the Supply Chain with 3D’ half-day event on Tuesday 15th October. She will be joined by Frazer Mead – Head of Global Sourcing, Shop Direct, Jackie Lewis – Senior Consultant, Alvanon, Dawn Brazier – Fit Development Manager, M&S and Altaf Ahmed – Business Support Manager (Funding), Leicester City Council.
Leading UK retailers and brands have adopted 3D technologies to develop smarter and build the foundations for a sustainable future; using these tools to make better decisions, reduce physical sampling and improve communication with suppliers. The event is tailored towards UK suppliers and manufacturers. Learn how connecting the supply chain with 3D tools improves efficiencies, profitability and growth.
The day will include a series of product demos as well as presentations and will take place at The Stamford Court, Manor Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 2LH.
To find out more and register click here.
Legal Eagle Success

Yesterday, 8th October, we had another excellent ‘Legal Eagle’ masterclass session delivered by Nick Gould. Here is a selection of the feedback:
“Easy to listen to, very open discussion. Gave great advice, I feel like I have a lot more confidence to go ahead and set up my own business.” – Hadiyah
“This seminar was very interesting from a maker and start-up point of view. It included all the legalities and the take on Brexit influence.” – Shirley
“Great information that you need to know to open your own company. Great speaker and informative.” – Selvie
“I have learnt that a paper trail is one of the most important things I can do.” – Denise.
We will be posting notes and advice from Nick’s session on FashionCapital very soon, watch this space for his next masterclass.
Tottenham Charter Event

As we type Esme, Operations Manager for Education & Learning, is at Tottenham Town Hall for the Tottenham Charter Showcasing event. The Charter aims to bring local businesses and partners together to provide and deliver beneficial pledges that will benefit local residents. Fashion-Enter has been a key supporter of the Charter providing Open Days and Factory Tours as an introduction to the training and services we can offer. More on this soon.
This October…
You can enrol on our Advanced 2-day Gerber course. A follow-on from the 3-day Beginners course you can get into the nitty-gritty depths of the Pattern Design and Explorer and continue with your own journey of drafting and amending patterns. This course begins on Saturday 12th October Click here to find out more.

From Monday the 14th October we will welcome our new cohort of Stitching Academy Level 1 students to find out more about this course and apply please click here.

And Life & Business coach Eric Gilston will be back on Thursday 24th October for a session on ‘Raising Your Game!’ This free 2-hour masterclass will help you understand how your attitude affects your altitude, to learn the value of networking and to understand that there is more from within you. Click here to book your place

Belles Piece of the Week

This week we have picked out the Pippa pussybow dress in burgundy – a chic workwear piece that’s perfect for autumn. Click here to view.
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk

The possibility of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit on October 31st cannot be ruled out, the government has put together a 10 point checklist on how to prepare for a no-deal outcome aimed at the creative industries.
We give 5 top tips on clever, cost effective shop fittings that can bring your boutique to life.
And Katie Farley gives industry insight into the latest news and events to hit the fashion sector over the past week in her latest edition of the Fashion Fix.
And Finally…

There is nothing better than seeing our clients grow and gain the recognition they deserve, so it was fantastic to see Louisa Parris’ Zepplin dress featured in the November issue of British Vogue. She sent a personal thank-you to the Fashion Studio team – creating and getting a collection out there really is a team effort. Congratulations Louisa. https://louisaparris.com/