We’re Seriously Ready for #madeinuk
12-01-2022
Newsletter 12th January 2022
The Welsh Stitching Academy Has Arrived!
We are pleased to announce a unique partnership with Newtown College, NPTC Group. Fashion-Enter Ltd Wales can now offer the Level 1, 6-week accredited Stitching course to anyone over the age of 16 wanting to learn this in-demand technical skill.
Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway commented: “On all of our different sites such as Haringey, Islington, the shop on Fonthill Road, and of course Leicester, we always offer an educational service for technical skills. I am now delighted that we can offer in Wales a Level 1 Stitching Award as a qualification that is free whether you are employed or unemployed.”
Fashion-Enter Wales Senior Administrator Annabella Lewis further commented: “I think it’s fantastic that the machinists from Laura Ashley, that have been together for 35-years, can now pass on these technical skills to a new generation of machinists.”
Enrolment for the first cohort of learners is currently underway. On Monday 10th January Fashion-Enter Wales hosted an Open Day and enrolled 7 new learners on to the course. The Newtown Level 1 Stitching course is completely FREE and provides a fantastic opportunity to progress onto employment or an apprenticeship. The course commences 17th January 2022.
To register your interest or ask any questions email: education@fashion-enter.com
Fashion-Enter Ltd (Wales) The Royal Welsh Warehouse, 17 Old Kerry Road, Newtown, Powys, SY16 1BJ
Generous Stitching Academy Grant from K Sewing Machines
K Sewing Machines (UK) Ltd has kindly agreed to support Fashion-Enter in Newtown, Wales with a generous grant for its Stitching Academy. In the business for over 30-years, K Sewing Machines provides repairs, services and supplies for factories, shops and home users.
Kyri Kyriakides from K Sewing Machines said: “K Sewing won the quote to supply Fashion-Enter’s new factory in Newtown. We were so pleased that Fashion-Enter saved almost 70 skilled jobs from being lost when Laura Ashley closed.
“When I heard that Wales was now opening a Stitching Academy in Newtown with Newtown College we just had to support this great way forward to create a new generation of stitchers. Good luck to all the new learners who will be enrolling in the coming weeks.
Community Renewal Fund Program Set To Commence
From 26th January 2022 Fashion-Enter, in partnership with Leicester City Council and De Montfort University, will commence with a range of masterclasses and training initiatives that will offer guidance, support and best practice information for factories and workers in Leicester.
The program will include talks from leading industry professionals such as Fiona Lambert, Managing Director of Jaeger at Marks & Spencer, along with factory tours and masterclass topics such as: sales, 81 steps to compliance, new learner technologies, workers’ rights and e-commerce websites for brand development.
Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway comments: “Following on from the launch of the Fashion Technology Academy, this is more good news for Leicester! The CRF revenue will allow for a wider range of training initiatives that will offer further wrap-around support to factories and workers. It’s time to really establish Leicester as a major quality ethical manufacturing centre of excellence.”
Further updates to be announced from this innovative project in due course.
Leicester – First Qualified Stitchers & Pattern Cutting Interest
The FTA (Leicester) has been successfully running our accredited stitching course since its launch and the first cohort have just passed their IQA. Well-done all! Our very first learner is Kalpana! Credit to the FTA Leicester team – Zarina, Ana and Divya.
Are you based in Leicester and interested in a course on pattern cutting? If you are looking to gain pattern cutting skills then please get in touch and let us know at: education@fashion-enter.com
As Seen in The Times
Fashion-Enter CEO Jenny Holloway talks to journalist Richard Tyler at The Times about the current state of the garment manufacturing industry and the growth in UK based production. The article can be found here: ‘Manufacturers start the year upbeat amid hopes worst of disruption is over.’
New Apprenticeship Just In…
Just added to our Jobs & Apprenticeships listings is an opening for an Atelier Machinist Apprentice, tap here to view more details about this position and the other opportunities currently on offer.
Masterclasses and Courses
Free Sewing Masterclasses (Weekly for Islington Residents throughout January)
Optitex 3-day Course (18 – 20 January)
Brand Building Through Social Media for Boutique Apparel & Accessories Brands (27 January – free)
Gerber 3-day Course (26 – 28 January)
Sustainable Fabric Sourcing (23 February)
Meet Designer Louisa Parris (17 March – free)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
It might well be chilly outside but we are already thinking about spring and those vibrant and playful florals, such as these on a mint green jersey base. Available at the FCFabricStudio at £4- per metre.
This Week on FashionCapital…
With over 111 billion video views under the hashtag #fashion, it’s clear fashion is being led by the masses. In this article, we explore how TikTok is inspiring the next generation of fashion: How Youth is Shaping Fashion with TikTok
And Finally…
Happy Makar Sankranti this Friday!
Until next time, have a great week.
