17 Oct Talking About the Future of the Industry at the Fashion Re:set Summit

Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) is leading the way in ethical and sustainable production and therefore provides the latest updated information for designers and learners at the FC Designer Workspace. 

On Tuesday 11th October FEL CEO Jenny Holloway gave two addresses at the ASBCI (Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry) Fashion Re:set Summit held in York. 

Jenny Holloway was an invited panel member for the sourcing segment of the Summit. Opened by Angela Gaskell, group sourcing, sustainability and fit director from N Brown, the discussion panel included Kate Hills, founder of Make it British, Phil Oakley from Kornit Digital, and Suzanne Ellingham, sourcing director of Hyve Events. Discussion focused on how the industry can overcome the sourcing challenges of the last few years and the opportunities of new technologies, near-shoring, made-on-demand, and personalisation.

Various themes and discussions were held during this lively and punchy debate, including how factories are to survive in this current climate. Along with how much retailers need the supply base to ensure continuity of flow, latest trends and reduced minimums to stop the waste that occurs. 

Phil Oakley from Kornit Digital commented: “A big thank you to ASBCI (Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry) for putting on such a valuable event. A pleasure to be on the sourcing panel with Jennifer Holloway Kate Hills and Angela Gaskell. A day full of learning, discussion, business development and great hospitality.”

Later on during the Summit Jenny Holloway and Kate Hills had a fireside chat discussing the issue of skills and a shortage of labour within the sector. Fortunately FEL has created the only skills academy in the UK, the Fashion Technology Academy, that centres on vocational skills including stitching and pattern making. The Academy has proved to be so successful that other regions have opened up campuses with the support of the councils. Leicester opened in 2021 and Newtown in January 2020; it is hoped that Newtown will also be opening a state-of-the-art Fashion Technology Centre too due to the demand for stitching in Mid-Wales and the surrounding areas. 

Jenny Holloway commented: “Fashion Re:set – this was such a great name for this summit. It is time to stop mass production. I now feel uncomfortable with mass production because it’s impossible to sell out of any line completely – there will always be some mark downs. Surely the only way forward is the Micro Factory concept and making to demand. It’s a steep change and I know within FEL this is not the most popular decision but it’s the way we must and will go in the future. No one likes change but change is inevitable and it’s needed now.”

It is only by attending these events that FEL can have the unique position of advising learners and their designers at the FCDW on the latest information, technology and legislative guidance that will safeguard the brands and create new employment opportunities. FEL provides evidence of each event that they attend and creates articles to fully inform and update the learners and designers hence creating career advice and guidance for a new age in fashion today.    

More information about the Fashion Re:set Summit can be found on the ASBCI website.