23 May SilkFred Scouts Attended the FC Designer Workspace

After the success of SilkFred’s visit in February, the scouts joined us once again at the FC Designer Workspace on Tuesday 10th May. They came to witness new talent in the area but not only did they meet new designers, but they also talked to Fashion Technology Academy students, teaching them the world of e-tail and how to be stocked on their platform.

SilkFred is an online e-commerce platform for independent fashion brands. It currently has 600 brands selling through the site. Co-founder Emma Watkinson, 33, started out by writing a business plan in early 2011 while working for a now-defunct fashion e-tailer. She raised £150,000 in seed money from three investors in May that year and went on raise a further £145,000 through CrowdCube to invest in marketing and growing the business. The business now occupies 17,000 feet of warehouse in London’s trendy Shoreditch area and employs 70 staff.’

SilkFred is the kind of business the designers in the Workspace aspire to. Listening to their advice helped students and designers learn more about their business and the world of e-tail.

The lovely ladies at SilkFred were as attentive and engaging as always. Attendees were extremely positive about the session and feedback included:

“There is a real opportunity to launch my designs and create a real business out of it with a company that can offer great support!” – Marcella 

“I feel this session has covered everything I needed to know regarding starting a new brand. Brilliant masterclass, very educational.” – Louisa

“I have learnt so many skills and methods – I am truly inspired!” – Angela