Stop Shop for Fashion Industry Support & Services
06-04-2022
Newsletter 6th April 2022
Industry Advice That Really Works!
Just over a year ago, stylist, DJ and creative director, Chema Diaz joined the free N17 Creative Callings (N17CC) programme to gain essential business support and advice for his fashion brand J’Adore Hardcore. Fast forward to today and Chema how has expanded his team to keep up with sales demand.
Chema said: “I’ve now got 4 interns and they have been to the factory and had support on how garments are made. These interns are invaluable to my business and the sales have increased. With all the issues in rising costs Jenny has allowed me to buy buttons, elastic and trims at less than cost. When there was a recent IP issue Jenny was there again. I’m about to do a new shoot and I’m using Fashion-Enter’s equipment. More importantly I have grown and I’m a much better CEO. I plan more and I’m more confident. All this is free support and it’s been totally invaluable. I don’t want the N17 program to stop for sure.”
It’s fantastic to see how the N17 Creative Callings program really supports and nurtures creative talent. Each business we work with receives free, tailored advice to ensure real improvement and growth.
If you would like to gain N17 Creative Callings support and you live in the Tottenham area there is still time to join this free business support program from ESF and the GLA please email: jenni@fashion-enter.com
Fashion-Enter News
Haringey
The London factory at Haringey HQ is buzzing with spring orders for various clients. The floor is awash with colour, such as this cornflower blue.
This week, along with Chema and his team, we’ve had an educational Factory Uncovered Tour from a group of 12 students studying at the Fashion Retail Academy.
Feedback included: “I learnt about the process of buyer and supplier collaboration. Good factory working environment, great to see and experience. Thank-you, all very interesting.”
“I found out a lot about the overall journey of a garment and critical paths. The workings of a UK factory.”
“I learnt about the whole process in the factory and how it all works. Really informative speaker – loved the talk.”
On Monday 4th April our CEO Jenny Holloway was live on Radio 4 discussing the company’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan and the options she gives to her staff with Evan Davis on the PM news and current affairs programme.
We also welcomed Erica Collins, Production Assistant / Merchandiser, to the team. Erica said: “I’m really happy to be a part of the team! Very excited for what is to come.”
Jobs at Fashion-Enter HQ
We have several positions available including – Junior Designer, Fashion Studio Apprentice and Production Sewing Machinists. To find out more about each role and to apply tap here.
Wales
The Welsh team have been busy promoting the free Level 1 Stitching Course. Annabella said: “I have been out and about in the community and have been in touch with the local job centres covering Newtown, Welshpool, Llandrindod Wells, Llanfair Caereinon, Llanidloes, Llanfyllin, Leominster, Shrewsbury etc. We have requested/set up open days Mon/Fri. All have job specs, leaflets, course details etc to advertise and aid with recruitment.
“PCC have also connected me with all the contacts for refugee’s that are already in the area, or are being re-located into Powys from Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Ukraine etc. They also have all the information at the job centre, post pandemic, and have offered for any interested parties to, if preferred, come to the factory between 10am and 3pm. I truly hope that this will help to get the word out within Powys and surrounding areas which will help us to attract a lot more students onto this fantastic course.”
If you are interested in joining the free Level 1 Stitching course and learning from the best seamstresses, some of whom are ex-Laura Ashley staff with more than 30-years’ experience, then please contact: info@fashion-enter.com
This week the ongoing desktop research for the four month Novel Yarn recycling feasibility study with SMARTCryum focuses on recycled textiles source. Eddie Bebb, Commercial Manager comments: “Richard Carter Business Development Manager of the Potter Group (joint collaborators with Fashion-Enter Ltd on the Wool project) has been busy searching for a partner who can provide recycled textiles.
“These textiles will provide the fibres which will be mixed with virgin wool to create a sustainable product that combines recycled materials and supports the Welsh wool industry.Richard has identified JMP Willcox based in Bilston as a key company that we need to visit to gain an understanding of waste recycling within the UK and is also engaging with Leeds University to set up a test regime of yarns spun from wool and varying grades of recycled textiles to identify their individual properties.”
Leicester
FCFTA (Leicester) were delighted to be at GN Euro in Leicester on Wednesday 30th March to deliver SEG Award ABC Level 1 in Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation. This course is funded by the UK Government through the Community Renewal Fund.
This is incredibly powerful course – and has been designed to raise awareness of the basic employment rights provided by UK Law.
Jackie the manager at FTA (Leicester) said: “Thank-you to GN Euro for inviting us to deliver this course to their workers. This is a serious topic and it’s great to see Leicester businesses investing in their workforce and providing them with this essential course. There were some great discussions and activities with the team at GN Euro today and the feedback so far has been encouraging – I am looking forward to completing the course with them next week.”
Leicester is enrolling now for April learners for the Level 1 Stitching qualification. This course is FREE if you are currently unemployed, and funding is through the Community Renewal Fund.
Please do contact us if you would like to join this popular course – we have only a small amount of places left. To join – please contact: education@fashion-enter.com
Fashion-Enter and FCFTA will be holding a Leicester Textiles Meet and Greet event – Save the date 16th June.
Leicester is a vibrant and diverse city with a history of textiles – this event is to showcase a strong cross section of businesses. We are working with many of these businesses through the Community Renewal Fund. This will be an opportunity to celebrate and showcase Leicester at its best.
If you are interested – please email: Jackie@fashion-enter.com Venue and agenda coming soon!
National Manufacturing Day
Make UK is launching National Manufacturing Day on Thursday 7th July 2022.
Manufacturers across the UK are encouraged to throw open their doors to schools, colleges, local communities to give them a first-hand look at the careers and jobs on offer in our exciting sector. Fashion-Enter will be getting involved, if you are a manufacturer Make UK is encouraging you to sign up and open your doors to future makers: makeuk.org/nmd
Masterclasses & Courses
Ongoing Stitching, Patterns and Tailoring Courses
Optitex 2D & 3D 3-Day Course (26 – 28 April)
Fabric Swatch of the Week
Monochrome never dates and we love working with cotton jersey as it hangs beautifully, how about throwing some abstract lines into your next sewing project. Available at £4- per metre at the FCFabricStudio.
This Week on FashionCapital…
If you’ve recently launched a fashion start-up, then there are a whole host of tools that could be lightening your workload and helping you to deliver a higher quality of service to your customers. Here are some types of software that every fashion start-up can benefit from.
And Finally…
Did you know you can shop our products via eBay for Change, to support Made in the UK and buy quality items tap here to view our eBay store.
Until next time, have a great week.
From the FashionCapital team.
