Universities

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

MeetCaroline 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

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.

VisitingtheFactoryandFashionStudio 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.

“Great tips for the students as potential buyers. What to look out for and great to get real cost and time ideas. Thank-you really insightful, I have been to a few factories in my time but really enjoyed it. 10 out of 10.”

Ravensbourne University

- Course leader

VisitingtheFactoryandFashionStudio

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 found out how clothing cycles work and how buyers / companies work in partnership with factories, as well as the many job roles. It’s a lovely environment with an informative host. I have learned a lot and will be more informed as a consumer for the future.” Manchester Metropolitan University

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 learnt about new tech, Kornit was incredible to see and one-piece-flow. Also learnt about the critical path. This was a fantastic seminar, so informative, interesting, and engaging.” Garment Tech Student FRA

“I learnt about the roles in a factory, the relationship with a buyer. The seminar was amazing, the only downside was that it was too short, would have loved to learn even more.” Student Westminster University

Testimonials

"I love bringing my students to Fashion Enter. It’s so valuable to see real production first hand and the learn about new technologies and how they are being utilised to make the process quicker and more sustainable - and all this in London!” Sarah

Hansford – Tutor, FRA

“This was my first ever factory visit and it was without doubt so insightful. After all the information today ignited existing passion even more. Thank-you for all the information.” Student Westminster University

"I learnt more about how a garment is brought to life, the process and the issues that could come up. Really good learning experience thank-you. LCF Post Graduate Student

“I got behind the scenes and learnt about the process of what really goes into the garments that are being made for brand. Tour guide was very interesting. Appreciated how passionate and detailed the speaker was.” Ravensbourne University

“Found out how a factory works and the lifecycle of a product. The speaker was really interesting and had a positive energy, really enjoyed it.” Student Westminster University

“Great learning experience. Received in-depth knowledge of how departments function and the industry speed. I have visited factories before but this is a new learning experience.” Student Westminster University

“I loved the visit to the factory. I have learnt about new techniques and processes of manufacturing, how to manage time, new software and different samples. This seminar was really helpful to give a practical perspective of manufacturing.” Student Westminster University

“I am very grateful for all of the knowledge I learnt today and how every one of my questions was answered in such depth and relevance.” Manchester Metropolitan University

“I found out that there are so many careers in the fashion industry and that every member works as a team. Very nice, friendly team. It was an eyeopener into how much goes on and how many workers are involved in producing one garment.” Manchester Metropolitan University

“Everything was explained perfectly, all the questions were answered, and the speaker was very open about the factory. I have learned and enjoyed today’s tour and all the information that was given.” Manchester Metropolitan University

“This seminar offered a visual experience of fit comment making. Very useful information on costing, production, and sampling. Different areas of construction, printing and future technologies. Very useful resource for students and real experience learning.” Garment Tech Student FRA

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.

“I got behind the scenes and learnt about the process of what really goes into the garments that are being made for brand. Tour guide was very interesting. Appreciated how passionate and detailed the speaker was.”

Ravensbourne University

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