02 Jun 131 ISLINGTON residents have been on FEL courses at the FCDW Up To 31st May 2023!

We are delighted to confirm that over 130 local residents have gained qualifications at both Level 1 award and certificate and the Level 2 certificate. Many of the attendees want to start their own businesses which is why the collaboration with CCCG has been so well received. This 34-week course is brand new to the country and allows learners to have a unique insight into the world of fashion business.

 
The team at the FCDW has expanded now to accommodate the rise in qualifications.  The team is headed up by Ana and she has support staff of Elisa, Gintare, May, Hawi and then there is another senior tutor Lan who has a team comprising of Morgan, Manuela and Angela. 

FEL CEO Jenny Holloway commented: “It’s great to see how many people are engaging locally at the FCDW at Durham Road and the shop at 113-115 Fonthill Road, to make their own garments, recycle, repurpose and to create their own business within the borough of Islington. We have many ways to support the local residents and currently the need is to watch finances and keep spending under control. We are therefore teaming up wtih the council to see how we can offer regular repair and upcycling classes from the shop.  We need locals to engage with each other and have a sense of doing and fun, plus save money by reusing their clothes.

The fashion industry is currently under the spotlight with many issues of over stocks, low sales and heavy discounting.  We are teaching our local residents to buy better, upskill with new ideas on how to repurpose their own garments and bring together a sense of borough pride too.  Let’s hope we can start these new classes asap! 

The team also welcomed Leona from Riverside School for a week’s work experience. Leona is in year 10 and she spent a week learning all about the various roles and tasks that go on at the FCDW and the fashion industry in general.