UK Designed & Manufactured
03-03-2021
Newsletter 3rd March 2021
Pioneering the Reusable Isolation Gown
Since March last year we have been working with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust on a new sustainable recycled isolation gown. The unique DWR polyester treated gown product has been created to provide a sustainable alternative to the disposable one-use gown and allows for the NHS Key Worker to wear and wash the garment up to 50 times.
Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway commented: “The support from the Royal Free London has been incredible especially during these very difficult pressurised Covid times. The design was extensively tested on a wide variety of clinical staff and the fabric testing from the manufacturer has surpassed expectations. This is a British designed and manufactured product to be proud of and reflects how the NHS does put sustainability and ethical gown manufacturer at the heart of their business of caring for key workers. We would like to extend a huge thank-you to all the staff at the Royal Free London for enabling this isolation gown to come to market.”
The isolation gown is available for immediate use contact details are isolationgowns@fashion-enter.com or call 0208 809 3311 and ask to speak to Caroline Ash.
Did You See Us On BBC Newsnight?
Last Thursday, 25th February 2021, BBC Newsnight filmed our London Factory and discussed budget proposals, in particular, corporation tax with Production Director, Caroline Ash. With The Budget today (3rd March) the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak certainly has his work cut out as he essentially needs to tighten the purse strings without strangling a very fragile economy, which shrank by 9.9% last year. As a company Fashion-Enter Ltd has been fortunate enough to survive the past pandemic year, others have not been so lucky. However, Caroline explained to Newsnight’s Political Editor, Nicholas Watt, the company’s concerns for the months ahead.
To view the BBC Newsnight interview with Caroline Ash tap here – available until 25th March 2021.
In the Press
Last week Drapers featured the news that Manchester-based fast fashion etailer I Saw It First has invested £150,000 in Fashion-Enter’s new manufacturing skills academy in Leicester. The funding will be used to help deliver qualifications, as well as supporting ethical compliance and robust auditing processes for manufacturers.
Drapers Sustainable Fashion 2021
Overhauling Boohoo’s Supply Chain – one of the retail industry’s darkest secrets resurfaced in the summer after poor working conditions were identified in factories used by fast fashion giants in Leicester.
Hear from Andrew Reaney, director of responsible sourcing and group product operations at Boohoo Group, as Drapers unpick the problems in Leicester and look at how the company has responded – including the launch of its new “model” factory in the city.
The two-day Drapers conference, 10 – 11 March, will also include the likes of: Lydia Hopton, ethical trading manager, Marks & Spencer,Edzard van der Wyck, co-founder and CEO,Sheep Inc and our very own CEO of Fashion-Enter, Jenny Holloway. To find out more about this event tap here.
Latest B of London Styles Live on SilkFred.com
Our in-house Belles of London diffusion line ‘B of London’ has just dropped five new dress styles on SilkFred.com. From dramatic fishtail maxi dresses to sweetheart midi’s the demand for spring dress styles is on the up with the news that lockdown restrictions will be easing. To view the latest styles tap here.
Open Day Machinist Trial Wales
Next Wednesday 10th March we are running an Open Day trial for new machinists at our Welsh factory situated in the Pryce Jones building in Newtown. The Open Day will commence from 10am onwards, if you are an experienced machinist and would like to attend please email caroline@fashion-enter.com to confirm your attendance.
Apprenticeships Available Wales
We have several apprenticeship positions available at our Factory in Newtown, Wales. We are looking to recruit five immediate Level 2 Sewing Machinist apprentices with more positions to become available throughout the year including Level 3 Fashion Studio Assistant and Level 4 Product Technologist. To view the positions and apply tap here.
#madeinUKday
The Make It British team are celebrating their 10th anniversary with the first-ever Made in UK Day taking place on 9th March 2021. As the appetite to shop locally and support local businesses grows, Make it British, a community of UK-made brands and manufacturers, is calling on everyone to celebrate UK makers.
There has never been a more important time to buy products that are made in the UK and support local manufacturing.
By pledging to buy products that are made in the UK you are lowering your carbon footprint, saving essential skills, helping local economies and creating job opportunities.
To find out how you can get involved as a business or a consumer click here.
How To Do Your Own PR Masterclass Success
A big thank-you to Rosie Davis-Smith for a highly informative online masterclass this morning on PR and securing press coverage for your brand.
30 up-and-coming designers joined the session that included how to communicate with editors, work with influencers to increase your brand awareness and ultimately generate sales.
Having worked in PR for 9 years Rosie is incredibly knowledgeable and communicates her top tips and techniques in such an easy to understand and insightful way. Just a few comments following the session included:
“You have covered such a lot, thank you.” – Sally
“So many amazing tips, thank you!” – Katrina
“Brilliant, thanks so much.” – Janet
To view and join our next fashion masterclasses click here.
Masterclasses & Courses
Zoom Session for Students Writing Dissertations on UK Manufacturing (free – online)
Gerber AccuMark 3-day Course for Beginners
Sustainable Fabric Sourcing with Mark Dodds (online)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
We are gearing up for a summer of freedom so taking these next few months to get our wardrobe on point! We love this beautiful digital printed scuba for a flirty summer dress that will take you from desk to dinner. Available now from the FCFabricStudio at £4.50 a meter.
This Week on FashionCapital.co.uk
We delve deep into the denim sector and find out how in 2021 it plans to reclaim its lion’s share in the global fashion market. The Development of Denim in 2021: Beginning of a New Chapter.
And Finally…
Throughout March our Editor, JoJo Iles, has committed to over 10,000 steps a day to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Any support, and every bit helps, would be much appreciated. Tap here to visit JoJo’s fundraising page.
