UKFT member Fashion-Enter has opened a new and unique affordable workspace in Finsbury Park, north London, for designer-makers and local residents with an interest in garment production.

Designer-maker Majida Sayam, second left, in the new FC Designer Workspace with members of the Jannaty sewing group.

The FC Designer Workspace has been converted from disused garages on the Andover Estate, and fitted out with the latest industry-grade sewing machines and equipment. It offers workshop, exhibition and training space for local designers, an in-house photography studio, as well as mentoring and masterclasses from industry experts, and the chance to network with like-minded entrepreneurs.

Stitching Academy learners with tutor Ana Cover, centre, at the launch of the FC Designer Workspace.

The workspaces have already proved popular with local designer-makers, including those who sell their products in the FC Designer Collective shop in nearby Fonthill Road – the dedicated high street retail site that opened last year, and the first milestone of the partnership between Islington Council, local communities and garment industry co-operative Fashion-Enter.

Both the shop and the affordable workspace were co-funded by the council and the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund. Launched in 2017 and delivered in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), The Good Growth Fund seeks to make London fairer and more inclusive by strengthening civic networks at local level, encouraging innovation and supporting great design.

The FC Designer Workspace offers a step-change in the council’s programme to provide affordable workspaces and effective support to nurture local talent in different sectors of industry, helping communities to create their own wealth, new jobs and more sustainable futures.

One beneficiary is Jannaty, a local sewing group run for the last 32 years by designer-maker Majida Sayam. She will train 10 local women to use the factory-grade sewing and garment-making machines at the workspace.

As well as learning valuable skills that will open up job opportunities in the garment-making industry, the women in Jannaty will upcycle unwanted, surplus and damaged clothing, curtains and bedding to create new clothes, cushions and bags for sale, keeping textiles out of landfill. The group will also produce 2,000 reusable canvas shopping bags for Islington’s food banks, cutting down on wasteful plastic bag use.

Majida, who will also be trained by Fashion-Enter mentors, said: “This space is a dream for me, and the machines are everything we need. In our classes we always used domestic machines. Garments that used to take two days to complete will now take around an hour-and-a-half, so it is a big difference!”

Local designer-maker Mary Obaseki is also set to use the affordable workspace for her brand Another Earthling. She said: “I design and handcraft high-quality, unique animal and bird masks. Having an affordable and truly local workspace will be hugely beneficial for my business and with the support of Fashion-Enter and Islington Council, the sky’s the limit.

“I intend to teach regular workshops, collaborate with other creatives and create employment opportunities in the local community.”

Cllr Asima Shaikh, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Inclusive Economy and Jobs, said: “I’m thrilled to open the FC Designer Workspace, which really is the beating heart of collaboration, a ‘golden opportunity’ space where community talent and industry expertise can combine and produce amazing results – top-quality products from residents who have realised their potential and built bright business futures.

“We are absolutely committed to investing in local jobs and businesses, creating a strong local economy, and I’m proud to be working with Fashion-Enter who share our vision to make Islington a more equal place by nurturing this potential.

“With the FC Designer Collective store already well established, I look forward to seeing our residents kick-starting new careers and forging fresh, rewarding futures for themselves.”

Pictured in the new FC Designer Workspace are, from left, Cllr Asima Shaikh, Executive Member for Inclusive Economy & Jobs, Jenny Holloway, Chief Executive of Fashion-Enter, Jennifer Sutton, Development Director at Fashion-Enter, Jules Pipe, London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, and local designer-maker Tricia Blake of Diva Choice.

Jenny Holloway, chief executive of Fashion-Enter, said: “In 35 years of working in the fashion sector I have never been involved in such an innovative, circular, sustainable fashion programme. Islington is ahead of its time.

“The creatives of Islington now have the opportunity to upskill, design, manufacture and sell their brands all within a one-mile radius within Islington. The team at Fashion-Enter is on-hand to fully support them every step of the way.

“A huge thank you to the GLA, the Good Growth Fund and Islington Council for making affordable workspace and the retail collective a reality. It’s a game-changer for fashion support today.”

Jules Pipe, London’s Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, said: “This Good Growth Fund project creates long-term affordable workspaces that bring vibrancy and opportunity into the heart of the local high street.

“It is a great example of how the Mayor’s investment can support collaboration between communities, local government, high street landlords and operators to help people develop new skills and grow new businesses.”

For more information about the support and opportunities available, visit www.fcdesignerworkspace.co.uk

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Fashion Enter is a UKFT education partner. Interested in UKFT membership? Find out more here.