Fashion Hub / FTA Leicester closed its 2025 seminar programme with a highly successful final seminar and networking event on 19th December 2025, delivered in association with the Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF). The session welcomed Leicester-based designers, start-ups and scale-up brands for an in-depth exploration of fabric knowledge from fibre to finish.
The seminar was led by Niall Maplesden, founder of The Knowledge Nexus Limited, widely recognised for his expertise in textiles, materials and fabric performance. Participants joined both in person and online, ensuring broad access for brands at different stages of growth.
Building Knowledge Where It Matters Most
Held at the FTA Fashion Hub, located on the second floor of Phoenix House in Leicester, the session addressed a critical knowledge gap faced by many emerging fashion businesses: understanding fabric well enough to make confident, informed decisions.
For start-up and scale-up brands alike, this understanding is essential influencing quality, sustainability, performance, cost and customer trust.
Throughout the seminar, Niall guided attendees through the full lifecycle of fabric development, breaking down complex concepts into practical, brand-relevant insights.
Key Topics Covered
- The importance of good fibres and why fibre choice is fundamental to brand identity, performance and sustainability
- How spinning methods impact fabric performance, and what designers should be asking suppliers and agents
- Knitting Vs weaving, enabling brands to speak confidently about fabric structures and how they affect wear, durability and function
- Dyeing and printing processes, with a focus on enhancing fabric quality rather than compromising it
- New developments and innovations in textiles, helping brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving market
The session encouraged open discussion and practical questioning, empowering designers to communicate more effectively with manufacturers, mills and suppliers.
Positive Feedback from Participants
“10 out of 10. Very informative and this helped me with info to start my business and brand.”
“As a novice on the manufacturing side of fashion business it was great to gain more understanding.”
“I have learnt a lot and would like to learn more / attend more.”
“I learnt that spider silk is bullet proof. Enjoyed everything.”
Supporting Leicester’s Fashion Community
This final seminar of 2025 reinforced Fashion Hub Leicester’s commitment to skills development, knowledge-sharing and community support, ensuring local designers and brands are better equipped to grow ethically, confidently and sustainably.
By partnering with ATMF and industry experts such as Niall Maplesden, Fashion-Enter Ltd and FTA continue to provide practical, industry-led learning that directly supports the needs of Leicester’s fashion ecosystem.
As Fashion Hub Leicester looks ahead to 2026, events like this set a strong foundation for continued engagement, education and collaboration across the region’s fashion and textile community.