Schools & Foreign Tours

Ethical Factory Tour & Seminars

By Caroline Ash Production Director Fashion Enter

“Our students absolutely loved the visit, they couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards, Caroline is such an inspirational and engaging speaker, it’s definitely one of the best visits we’ve had. Thanks so much for organising it for us, really appreciate it.”

Jiamei Jin – Organiser, Insider London

Meet Caroline Ash

Caroline has 40-years experience as Production Director, at FEL, the only factory in the UK with leading status in the Fast Forward audit.

She is a highly experienced production coordinator, sourcer and product developer with strong problem solving and analytical skills, delivering finished product that meet lead times, quality expectations and ethical requirements.

She has been Head of Production for various companies supplying the High Street making soft separates, dresses, tailoring, jersey and outerwear and has manufacturing experience in China, Turkey, Romania, Morocco, Bulgaria and Egypt as well as the UK.

Caroline’s experience and expertise has made her highly skilled at critical path management which includes ensuring fabrics and trims are delivered and approved in a timely manner, sealing dates are adhered to and if there are delays how mitigate them to ensure customer deadlines are maintained.

“With the rise in proximity sourcing today, it has never been more important to understand how ethical factories work, combined with my experience and the ethical status of Fashion Enter, there is no other tour like this in the UK today."

FactoryTours

Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL), an award winning social enterprise, understands the need for total transparency within the supply chain. FEL is the only factory in the UK today with a leading status in the Fast Forward audit and also has SMETA audit with no non compliances

FEL is a UK garment supplier and factory working with ASOS, The Very Group, N Brown Group and Community Clothing They also have a Fashion Studio where premium garment production is made for companies such as Louisa Parris and Saville Row Tailors Gormley and Gamble

Over the last 17 years FEL has given students at Higher Education, Further Education and Secondary Schools a unique and invaluable insight into the world of Fashion, Garment Production, Sustainability, Ethics, and Innovation

FEL has two SMETA and Fast Forward approved factories in London and Wales, producing up to 20,000 units a week.

The educational factory site visit is a:

Up to a maximum of 20 students

Tailor-made to suit the studies and level of education of the students. We can accommodate our tours for other non-Fashion such as Business Studies, Marketing , Engineering and Foreign Students We can also provide unique careers advice reviewing the different professions within the industry and the entry eligibility.

Visiting the Factory and Fashion Studio Factory Tour

FEL'S core production centres on ladieswear in both jersey and woven fabrics, being manufactured by a team of highly experienced machinists that are from 12 different countries.

During the visit there is a live factory tour where there will be a review of cutting methodologies, all industrial machines, pressing, quality control plus there is deep dive into all production processes to understand the production methods that are used.

The factory is focused on speed of response quality production, from concept to delivery within a 2–3-week lead time. There is a unique transparent system called Galaxius that enables data to show who made what garment, when and how much they were paid, which prevents infringement of the Modern Slavery Act. This additionally provides FEL with constant improvement in efficiencies for optimum quality product.

“I learnt an incredible amount about sustainable fashion practices, technology development, the future of fashion and ethical optimisation of production! Thank-you very much, you were very engaging and kind.” Mines University from Colorado, USA.

Visiting the Factory and Fashion Studio

Fashion Studio

There will be access to our outstanding Couturier/Fashion Studio service where highend garments are produces with minimum quantity of one Garments range from haute couture, swimwear, lingerie, theatre costumes and bridal gowns.

Current clients the Fashion Studio range from new business, start up and scale up brands such as Louisa Parris who is now showcased on Net-a-Porter and Gormley and Gamble Savile Row tailors for women.

Here you will see the differences between bulk production in the factory and high end manufacture with the couturier, and analyse the difference in production methods

Fashion Studio creates first patterns, toiling, samples, seals, grades and short run production from 1 unit to 100 units.

Finally, you will visit our pattern room to explore how the development process works.

“I have learnt how clothes go from a design to actually being made. This is a fantastic process. Caroline, you are a true gem and I truly appreciate your time and expertise.”

MBA from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA

Designer - Louisa Parris

Designer - Ginger Lily

Designer - Kimberley Garner

LearningObjectives Topics include:

The manufacturing process of a garment – from the initial idea through the to delivery – the full garment lifecycle

Pattern cutting methodologies

3D pattern cutting and fitting

How a garment is costed

How long it really takes to make a garment and how to simplify a style to get into price

Our PLM system and transparency

Critical path management

Changing a bestseller to get maximum sell through The customer Sealing Process

The supply chain and challenges a supplier faces – a unique perspective from both buying and supply.

Sustainability/Greenwashing

New technology – The future of the Fashion Industry

What makes The Factory SMETA/Fast Forward approved – why we are a fully compliant factory Explanation of the Modern Slavery Act

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and new legislation

Transformative digital technology in printing today

* These topics can be amended to meet your individual needs

“I had a wonderful time on the tour and learnt a lot from the session. I am inclined to the fashion industry and would love to apply for an apprenticeship here.” Student Knightsbridge School

“I found out what makes an ethical factory and how to judge ‘ethicalness’. Amazing tour and workers.” Mines University from Colorado USA

Testimonials

“I gained appreciation for all the work to make a finished garment. I am inspired by your enthusiasm for what you do and that you are actively seeking to help others.” MBA from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA

“I learnt a lot about the fashion business and its processes. I enjoyed the visit very much.” Kensington Park School International Students

“I learnt everything about the garment industry, the impact of Covid, Brexit, Ukraine war, inflation etc. Caroline was amazing and very passionate. Thankyou.” MBA from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA

“I learnt that the flow of making one dress is a massive system of many people working together. I learnt so much about fashion and business.” Student Knightsbridge school

“I learnt about fashion industry workflows, what the different jobs look like, where the industry is headed, along with awareness on workers’ conditions and tips on identifying sustainable companies.” International students studying Business and Engineering.

“I learnt that sustainable can be key in fast fashion. Thank-you for an awesome tour.” Mines University from Colorado, USA.

“I learned about business model uniqueness and how being a smaller business can provide strategic advantages over larger competitors. Caroline provided an exemplary presentation. She’s truly a gifted Director and Educator. This was a wonderful experience.” MBA from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA

“I found out a lot about the industry and info on how to start a business. Thankyou for answering my questions.” Student Knightsbridge school

“I learnt how to organise and run a business in the fashion industry. The speaker was lovely, and I felt like I learnt a lot.” Student Knightsbridge school

Howitworks

Each tour is two, three or four hours in total with a maximum of 20 students and two tutors.

The tours take place at the London factory based in Haringey and includes a tour of the Factory and the Fashion Studio.

If you require further information or to discuss flexibility on dates, times or duration, please contact Caroline Ash, directly.

BOOK HERE

0208 809 3311

caroline@fashon-enter.com

https://fcfta com

When you exit Manor House tube (Piccadilly line) please take exit 7 and walk down Green Lanes past the Finsbury Arms pub which will be on your right hand side After the pub the next turning on the right is Hermitage Road (quite a long way down Green Lanes). Turn down this road and we are at the bottom of the road before the width restrictors. We are Unit 14, 13 and 4, please come to Reception which is unit 13.

“Fashion’s not about looking back. It’s always about looking forward.” Anna Wintour