10 Nov FEL Provides Latest Data and Insights for Tenants

As a leading provider in Fashion and Textiles courses and apprenticeships, as well as providing ethical, ‘Made in the UK’ manufacturing, it is crucial that FEL is up to date with the latest industry data and networks with industry peers. 

On Tuesday 8th November FEL CEO Jenny Holloway was a guest speaker at the APPG meeting at the House of Commons. The focus was on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The idea of EPR is to make product manufacturers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging at the end-of-life. 

Discussions were continued on Thursday 10th November when Jenny joined an industry panel at the UKTBC (UK Trade and Business Commission) meeting and discussed current issues concerning the industry and how the Government can support to ensure the sector continues to thrive. 

Tap here to view the latest UK fashion statistics courtesy of the Fashion Roundtable.

Networking at these levels means that FEL has prime data to pass on to the designers and learners of the FC Designer Workspace. Jenny said: “As part of our role as landlords of the Workspace we want to see our designers applying for funding and this data provides the latest statistics on the value of fashion today. Likewise this data will be woven into our learning so we can ensure our learners are industry ready.

“Knowledge is certainly power!”

FEL has been working on the supply chain with their designers and reviewing what the latest legislation may include for Waste Management. 

The key issues for the designers to be prepared for are:

• Government should incentivise for EPR – not penalise
• Review Repair strategies with one of the aims being to reduce landfill
• Sewing to be put back on to the school curriculum KS2 onwards 
• There should be education on value and heritage linked in with innovation
• Education on designing products for circularity and responsible fibres / end of life
• Analytical / commercial techniques required for identification of differing fibres to reduce hand sorting 
• Brands to be more transparent and make costs visible showing hidden costs through rating systems with labels to boost consumer awareness 
• Retailers should be educating staff and consumers on care of products through mandatory legislation through online platforms – repair and care 
• Engage with technology exchange with countries such as Italy to upgrade existing mills that use out of date machinery and innovate new ways forward
• Preventing has to be stopped and retailers need to take End Product Responsibility and any additional costs that may incur

FEL has been supporting all learners and designers with new expert advice on regeneration using the waste management guide as support. 

Team FEL is also on hand to support any designer to write bids too.