Fashion Enter Interviewed for Just Style Article on UK Manufacturing
April 24, 2025 - April 24, 2025
Michelle Russell from Just-Style.com interviewed FashionCapital / Fashion Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway on the topic of ethical and compliant manufacturing in the UK. The in-depth article published on the 19th November 2018, discussed the current positives and negatives of re-shoring production to UK soil. Along with Jenny Holloway she also spoke to Sue Tilley, economic strategy manager for the LLEP, Martin Buttle, apparel and textiles programme lead for the ETI, Sir David Metcalfe, Adam Mansell, CEO of the UK Fashion and Textile Association and Peter Andrews, head of sustainability policy at the British Retail Consortium.
From the interview:
This is a sentiment echoed by Jenny Holloway, CEO of UK factory Fashion Enter, which produces for brands including ASOS, Tesco and M&Co. She agrees that while there has been progress, there is a need for more open dialogue between suppliers and brands, a re-education process for buyers, and more law enforcement. Holloway also encourages brands and retailers to only engage with factories audited under accredited programmes such as Fast Forward.
“The buyers don’t always understand the implications of every single garment construction. They can’t do, it’s impossible. So there is a re-education process that needs to occur with the retailers,” she explains.
Holloway argues that if Fashion Enter is able to produce ethically for big brands – then it is possible that others can too.
“If we can do it with London rent and rates, then we know it is achievable in Leicester as well. If law enforcement areas such as UK Borders and HMRC know shark practises are going on, then they’ve got to show their teeth so the good guys get the benefits.”
Fashion Enter has begun running accredited continual personal professional development (CPPD) ‘Factory Uncovered’ seminars that discuss dirty practises, open costings and how to spot an ethical factory. They encourage junior buyers to learn how to negotiate on price without affecting the quality or value of an order. The factory also operates the Galaxius Management Information System centering on constant improvement in efficiencies for optimum quality production.
Holloway’s advice: “Be discerning. There are more and more good factories out there because they are understanding the importance of compliance and we’ve got to stick together. Factories need flow and stop-go policies by retailers are crippling factories.”
