On 18th December the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA), the educational arm of Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL), hosted a free one-hour online masterclass via Zoom, welcoming emerging designers, start-ups and fashion students eager to better understand how to work successfully with UK manufacturers. The session, titled “New Designers: How to Work Successfully With UK Factories”, was delivered by industry expert Caroline Trend and attracted attendees from the FTA and externally across the UK.
The masterclass was designed to demystify the manufacturing process for new designers and provide clear, practical guidance on what UK factories need before they can take on a project. It was particularly aimed at those developing their first collection, preparing to approach manufacturers, or struggling to understand why factories may not be responding.
The session opened with a welcome and introduction, with Fashion-Enter Ltd CEO Jenny Holloway joining live from the FTA Christmas Breakfast to introduce Caroline and highlight the importance of building strong, professional relationships between designers and manufacturers. Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) students from both London and Leicester also joined the session, gaining valuable insight into the realities of UK manufacturing.
Throughout the masterclass, Caroline covered key topics including how UK factories operate, what influences whether a factory says yes or no to a project, and the most common factors that can slow production down. A significant focus was placed on preparation from understanding what a tech pack is and what it must include, to how fabric and trim choices affect costing, minimum order quantities (MOQs) and timelines. Attendees also gained clarity on budgeting, sampling, and setting realistic expectations when moving from design to production.
One of the most valuable sections explored the common mistakes new designers make when approaching factories, highlighting typical red flags manufacturers see and how these can be avoided through clearer communication and better preparation. Caroline also shared practical checklists and best practices to help designers become truly “factory-ready”.
The final 15 minutes of the session were particularly lively, with a busy Q&A covering a wide range of topics. Questions ranged from which software to use for creating tech packs, to how to find the right manufacturer for specific garments or materials, and even how to go about setting up a small UK-based manufacturing studio. At the close of the session, Caroline invited attendees who needed further guidance to book short one-to-one follow-up conversations.
Feedback from participants was extremely positive, with attendees describing the session as a “great presentation” and “really helpful”. Those who joined left with a clear understanding of what UK factories need, a practical checklist to prepare before making contact, greater confidence in approaching manufacturers professionally, and realistic expectations around timelines, budgets and sampling.
The FTA continues to support emerging talent through accessible education and industry-led training, helping to bridge the gap between design and manufacturing and strengthen the future of UK fashion production.