Now I don't know about you, but when I think of fashion factories, my mind wanders to the 60's (Especially 'Made in Dagenham'!). I think of poor working conditions, sexual and racial discrimination, and sweaty cramped factories. However, when I was invited to undertake two weeks work experience at Fashion Capital, my views were enlightened. Fashion Capital has beaten the stereotype and has brought stitching workshops back to the UK.
Fashion Capital offers a two level stitching course for fashion enthusiasts, looking to enter the fashion industry. Run by Fashion Enter, key skills such as pattern cutting, designing, customer relations and production of garments are taught by industry experts, students are placed with employers four days a week to hone these skills within a working environment and spend one day a week at the Fashion Studio training for the qualification. The ASOS X Fashion Enter Stitching Academy,based at The Factory in Haringey, North London provides a six-week intensive fashion internship
Apprentices on the scheme are currently placed with ASOS, New Look, House of Fraser, Fashion Enter and a host of smaller designer companies. They now run both the Level 3 and Level 4 framework. Based in Harringay, the factory has high-tech equiptment to support the students, alongside a spacious factory and plenty of staff to enquire. In terms of their health and safety policy, there is a 'buddy' tactic. Workers with hearing impairments sare partnered up with a 'buddy' and if there is a fire alarm, the buddy will tap on their shoulder in order to help them. This is just one of many supportive roles in which FC offers.
So if you're looking to get into the fashion industry as a seamstress or designer, get in contact with Fashion Capital.
Jennie, xo
apprenticeship@fashion-enter.com
0208 462 9620
Some more photos of the factory-
Photo Credit: Jennie Waeland & Sherion Mullings
