The Tailoring Academy

THE TAILORING ACADEMY

Fashion-Enter Ltd, with funding from the Mayor of London’s ‘Good Growth Fund’ and Haringey Council, officially launched London’s very own Tailoring Academy this past November. The Clothworkers’ Company was proud to join the select group of sponsors that helped fit the new 11,500 square foot space with stateof-the-art equipment – a cutting table, CAD CAM Optitex, and new machines for stitching, pressing and more.

Nick Beighton, CEO of ASOS.com, was the keynote speaker at the opening. He said, ‘ASOS has long been a supporter of ‘made in the UK’ brands. In 2008, ASOS provided Fashion-Enter with funding for their Stitching Academy and then further funding for the Fashion Technology Academy in 2015. We are delighted now to see that the success of high-level technical training has continued to extend to the new Tailoring Academy, which will act as a hub linking local talent to experts, specialist training, professional development courses, equipment and opportunities. ASOS is very proud to be part of this innovation.’

Jenny Holloway, CEO of FashionEnter Ltd and The Tailoring Academy, spoke next: ‘It’s time to train a future generation of tailors! A big thankyou to ASOS for their support and guidance for the past 10 years...This Academy would not have been possible without funding from the ‘Good Growth Fund’ and Haringey Council. Additional funding and support has been generously provided by Clothworkers’, Optitex EFI, Vetigraph, Gerber Technologies, Eastman Staples, K Sewing, Rupitex Fabrics, Marcos Trimmings and Telestia...The launch is a true celebration of how public and private investment can work...’

The Tailoring Academy will create 50 jobs – with the potential for more than 500 more – and support almost 750 apprenticeships, including placements with the world-renowned Savile Row Bespoke Association. The Academy will also link local talent to experts, specialist training, professional development courses, equipment and opportunities.

Located on Crusader Estate in Tottenham, it is part of a cluster of academic institutions and businesses working together as part of North East London’s Fashion District, and will complement forthcoming spaces at Monier Road at Fish Island, Hackney Wick and Poplar Works, to deliver skills, affordable workspace, access to finance and innovation programmes to grow a more inclusive and sustainable fashion sector in London.

Our own Clerk, Jocelyn StuartGrumbar, attended the opening – he even tested the new pocket welting machine. He complimented the Academy’s mission to replenish the pool of talent and skills in the UK. Skills programme N17 Creative Callings was also introduced at the event. FashionEnter was chosen by City Hall to deliver the project, which is funded by the European Social Fund and the Mayor of London. The programme aims to boost industries in Tottenham’s Creative Enterprise Zone, supporting 130 creative workers – at least 65 of whom will be women – to improve their career prospects; 38 SMEs will provide work placements and opportunities.

Dan Hawthorn, of Haringey Council, said: ‘This Academy will provide jobs for local people, boost our local economy and support many of our residents to fulfil their potential and achieve their dreams. We are excited that Haringey and Fashion-Enter will be home to London’s next generation of fashion talent.’