30 Oct Arsenal X Adidas X Fashion-Enter 2-Day Workshop

On Thursday 26th and Friday 27th October, Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) hosted an amazing two-day workshop from 10am – 4pm for 14 – 24 year olds, providing a practical taster for a career in the fashion industry. 

Over the course of two days, FEL’s team worked their way through an educational and practical agenda and the group of 25 attendees were split into two groups. 

On day 1, the students were involved in a market research masterclass engaging on current trends and the production of fashion today with FEL’s Claire Solley – Head of Technical. They then received a practical demonstration at FEL’s Innovation Centre guiding them on how digital fashion is evolving and how to use Style3D. The group also discussed the garment life cycle and UK manufacturing and how the fast fashion business model is changing. 

The groups then got given the chance to create their own masterpiece with their own unique T-shirt that can be sold in the FC Designer Collective shop on Fonthill Road. This was assisted by FEL’s Harry Mac, a former stitching student, who brought along his digital sketch pad to help perfect the students designs – and the results were amazing. (Watch a short YouTube video with Harry and FEL CEO Jenny posted below.) Whilst a few of the students were finalising their designs, the rest took part in a sewing workshop which gave them the skills of setting up a flatbed machine and overlocker ready for the next day.

Day 2 consisted of more creative, practical workshops which included upcycling old T-shirts, creating beanie hats and continuing to learn how to sew. The day finished with an advice masterclass from FEL’s CEO Jenny Holloway on next steps and careers advice. 

Everyone was really impressed with how the workshops went, one of the boys said of his newly printed T-shirt: ‘This is the best top in my wardrobe’. 

The groups teacher was impressed by the space and is keen to work on another project with more football stadiums throughout London. We were excited to work with Arsenal because of their community values, they create many opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. The FEL team are more than excited to continue to work with the Islington community on projects like this.

Gee Fletcher, FEL Development Co-ordinator said: “It was great to see how amazed the students were with the turnout of their T-shirts and how proud the groups were after they had created their first upcycled project whilst learning how to use a machine.” 

Feedback from the students on this workshop included:

“I have learnt how to use a sewing machine. I have learnt life skills!”

“This workshop has helped me further my skills in fashion.”

“I have learnt that I want to learn more about stitching and pattern making.”

“I found out that how easy it is to get started and the amount of support available.”

“I learnt how to make a t-shirt from scratch.”