13 Oct Reuse & Remake with our Super Skilled Stitchers

At FC Designer Workspace we encourage all learners and designers to use clothing and fabric already in existence. While we are passionate about the fashion industry we all know that it is one of the most polluting industries on the planet and this has to change! Statistics such as: 100 billion garments are produced each year of which 92 million tonnes end up in landfill. This is disgusting and we all need to do our bit to change this wasteful process.

While we run free monthly repair and upcycling workshops we also have access to some highly skilled experts for adjustments and transformations that need a professionals skill. Our super ace seamstress Leyla, based at the FC Designer Collective on Fonthill Road, has been working her magic again this week. Take a look at this stunning transformation from a rejected sequin mini dress to this dramatic, unique gown. The client was absolutely thrilled with the result and can’t wait to wear it for her big night out!

If you would like an expert to repair or upcycle your clothes then visit Leyla at our shop: FC Designer Collective, 113-115 Fonthill Road, London N4, from Tuesday – Saturday.

All of our learners are encouraged to visit Leyla at our accompanying shop to understand the importance of recycling today and work on career progression and support for developing their own brand. Many of the learners do not want to work for other people. They very much echo the findings of Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay. Hence, the unemployment support FEL provides for the FCDW programme centres on how to prepare people for being self employed, what is required to start your own business and how to have the right vocational skills to be able to be self employed. Leyla had five learners from the local community during this workshop and each of them went away with a garment they had brought from home and upstyled. 

Leyla commented: “I have learners coming to see me all the time asking me to support on how to put zips in, how to rework dresses and particularly trousers. I think that the younger generation today want to be independent and not be answerable to big companies. They want flexibility and that’s what having stitching skills gives you. I am so pleased I can pass on my skills to a younger generation. I know that the people today were so pleased with the results of upcycling. ”