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 in Sustainable & Ethical Supply Chain Management and Strategic Planning, coupled with her enthusiasm for all aspects of the Textile Industry ensures she is well suited to deliver informative and inspiring seminars.
“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."
Caro
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 They produce up to 5,000 garment per week.
Fashion Enter LTD is a UK garment supplier and factory working with The Very Group, Gymshark, Orla Kiely, 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 and a Repair Centre for clients such as Patagonia, Lulu Lemon and Rapha
Over the last 17 years FEL has given students at Further Education and Secondary Schools as well as industry a unique and invaluable insight into the world of Fashion, Garment Production, Sustainability, Ethics, and Innovation.
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
The tours take place at the London factory based in Haringey and includes a Seminar covering the garment life cycle within an Ethical Factory and New Technology, including AI digital fashion software that integrates with pattern creation and 3D visualisation, plus our innovative knitwear technology which enables rapid swatch and sampling creation, leading to seamless production, this is followed by a Tour of the Factory, Fashion Studio, Pattern room, and our Repair Centre
We regularly accommodate Business and Economics students, Marketing, Foreign Students, and have recently run seminars with large Financial Institutions advising on investment, and Engineering”. 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.
“Amazing and informative. Caroline pitched the seminar perfectly for our Year 11 learners.” Heartlands High School
“I really enjoyed the first-hand experience I got from this factory and it was very relatable to the topics we do at school. Would go again.” Student -Buckswood School
“I learnt how advanced AI is becoming with fashion and design in the future. The capabilities of the factory, the cost implications, how the factory reads tech packs and works with design. Incredibly insightful The energy and enthusiasm was fantastic ” KPS
“I learnt so much! Truly wonderful tour and content. It has given me a lot to think about. Loved it! Keep it up! It was so awesome.” University of Minnesota
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
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
UnitedRepairCentre
Fashion-Enter, has joined as partner, with URC London, training the team in technical repairs With a focus on high social and environmental standards, Fashion-Enter had faced potential layoffs due to key retailers moving production to cheaper facilities abroad. Now URC London will protect 15 UK jobs and provide a bridge into the circular economy. This has created an exciting collaboration to move into repairs. Our highly skilled team are absolutely delighted that they are contributing to a circular economy for fashion today Partnerships between social impact companies United Repair Centre and Fashion-Enter with Patagonia, Lululemon and Rapha makes it easy for clothing brands to join the repair movement. This is an exciting and growing area of the business, with new clients joining us constantly.
For the FEL team the URC London perfectly aligns with the company’s ethos on sustainability,circularity and providing employment opportunities within the community.
“We must help customers keep their clothes in use for longer and practice conscious consumption”
Style3D Reinventing the Future of Fashion
The "Styleverse Innovation Centre” features end to end immersive 3D-empowered solutions, streamlining the collaboration between stakeholders across the globe, enabling everyone to work together more efficiently and ultimately more profitably Featuring virtual environments can enhance not just the design process but also sales and marketing strategies
Style3D Assyst will push digital technology to the forefront of creative, sustainable, and efficient fashion production It demonstrates digital asset optimization, illuminating how these tools can streamline workflows, increase productivity & accuracy, and reduce costs.
Fabric Studio / Virtual swatches / Over 50,000 ready to use Digital Assets (pattern, fabrics, trims) / 3D Design Software / Virtual sampling capabilities / ESG Dashboard / Immersive Virtual customer experiences / Virtual sampling / Sofy Body Avatar / Style 3D Cloud / Virtual showroom / Virtual Store
“I learnt about so much. One of the best visits we have had in school, I was able to relate all of the information to things we have done in school. I felt like every base was covered from the business to the marketing to the design.” Student- The University of the Incarnate Word
“I am a professor of accounting for the past 22 years and I learnt a tremendous amount of new information that will greatly benefit my classes, this presenter was absolutely fantastic”- Professor - University of North Alabama
“The speaker was so informative. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about the topic. We learnt about economies of scale, sustainable practises, and employee incentive practises. Thank you so much for opening up your factory so graciously to our students and patiently answering all questions.” Dubai American Academy
Our next exciting collaboration with Maeknit London is here!
MaeKnit London is a pioneering, one-stop destination for the entire knitwear product lifecycle. From hands-on training in 3D skills and knitting workshops to sampling, prototyping, and zero-MOQ production, which empowers the designers, technicians, and buyers of tomorrow. We leverage cutting-edge technology from Shima Seiki and leading 3D virtual sampling providers, ensuring precision and innovation at every stage.
Our finishing process is backed by Wool markcertified washing and drying equipment, with linking capabilities ranging from 5gg to 14gg. With decades of combined expertise and state-of-theart knitting machines, including Whole garment accessories for socks, gloves, and hats, we guarantee unmatched skill, efficiency, and craftsmanship, while-u-wait.
Over the years we’ve prided ourselves on working with sustainable solutions and unique partnerships Naeem and Mallory are totally genuine in their quest to make rapid turnaround a viable reality
You can bring us a sketch in the morning and leave with a final sample by the end of the day Maeknit - the only knitwear service in London!
“I have learnt the costs of different garments and impact technology is having on the industry. Great visit, very informative and great to witness a factory in person”
Ravensbourne
LearningObjectives Topics include:
The manufacturing process of a garment – from the initial idea through the to delivery – the full garment lifecycle
Overview of the Fashion Industry from a Business standpoint
Geopolitical risks
Pattern cutting methodologies
3D/AI 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.
Ethics, Sustainability and 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
* 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
“Informative, well pitched for the age group, an excellent presentation. Thank you.” East Hampstead Park School
“I learnt everything about the garment industry, the impact of Covid, Brexit, Ukraine war, inflation etc. Caroline was amazing and very passionate. Thank-you.” MBA from Warrington College of Business, University of Florida in the USA
“I have learnt more about what individuals can do to be more sustainable, and about what the future of AI looks like. I absolutely loved this, it was deeply informative, and it’s very clear she understands and loves the material.” Texas state University
“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 learned so much amazing information about the industry from experiencing the construction of a garment to how AI is advancing the industry very quickly and efficiently . Thank you! Everything was beyond great!” Texas Christian University
“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 learnt an immense amount about production and sustainability. The Style3D AI was amazing! I had a lovely experience today, thank you!” University of Minnesota
“I learnt out so much, one of the best visits we've had in school. I was able to relate all of the information to things we have done in school. I felt that every base was covered from business to marketing to the design” Student – The University of The Incarnate Word
“Amazing insight into the fashion industry. Lots of relevant links to the A-Level business curriculum. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.” Aquinas College
“10 out of 10, learned a lot about sustainability and ethical practices. AI in the factory etc which is all hugely helpful for my future teaching and research. Factory tour and demonstration was so great!” Professor - Purdue University
“I loved the process and overall presentation of the concepts. Ms Ash is an amazing communicator and I have learned a lot about production processes in-person. Thanks very much for having me.” Student Priory School of Lady Walsingham
“I always love this talk and tour , from the beginning to the end the students get a real view of the entire process! Cool technologies! So nice that you share your excitement and value about sustainable production, awesome, “ Professor Babson College USA
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, Fashion Studio, Style3D centre, United and Maeknit Inc.
If you require further information or to discuss flexibility on dates, times or duration, please contact Caroline Ash, directly 0208 809 3311 caroline@fashion-enter.com https://fcfta com
BOOK HERE
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 in unit 4, please report to Reception.
“Caroline Ash’s passion for not only the industry but sustainability and ethics was clear to see. This was the best talk I have had from a business leader which is directly linked to their studies. As a firm advocate for the circular economy, it was amazing for the learners to hear her knowledge which related directly to A level Business Studies. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone who is looking for an educational visit ” –Tutor Ysgol Bryn Elian School
“Fashion’s not about looking back. It’s always about looking forward.” Anna Wintour
