Today, 11th October 2018, The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation worked together with Fashion Enter to provide a unique and insightful event to an audience of 70+ individuals looking to work and gain skills in the fashion and tailoring sector.
Taking place at Fashion Enter’s Fashion Technology Academy in Haringey, North London, the event was supported by guest speakers Lord Young of Norwood Green, Simon Platts, Sourcing Director at ASOS.com and Sarah Ebanja, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, Chief Executive.
An invite only event attendees included a mix of those already working in industry looking to upskill alongside newcomers reviewing the various options to learn new skills or begin an apprenticeship.
Alex Lamb from Kilgour Savile Row gave an exclusive insight into how master tailors really work and demonstrated how to canvass a coat by hand.
He explained: “There are 18 people in the business and each person has their own specialty. Everyone has been through a five-year apprenticeship yet they are still learning and being taught by experts. Everyday there is something new to learn. It requires a lot of patience, everything is done by hand as you can’t get the same manipulation with a machine. One suit is 200-hours of hand craftsmanship.”
This was followed by an inspirational glimpse at Fashion Enter’s Level 5 Bespoke Tailoring apprenticeship displaying the need for precise, high-end skills and the training available at the Fashion Technology Academy and the soon to be opened Tailoring Academy.
Additionally attendees were invited to review courses in Stitching and Pattern Cutting, discuss apprenticeship jobs available and undertake a tour of Fashion Enter’s ethical Factory.
Lord Young of Norwood Green, Tony Young, recently appointed as an Apprenticeships Ambassador by the Government stated: “I am delighted to be given this role by Anne Milton, the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills.
“Apprenticeships are changing rapidly. They are now more rigorous, better structured, and independently assessed. The apprenticeship reforms have resulted in a strong focus on the skills needs of employers, with a greater emphasis on high quality, and a real desire to widen participation.
He added: “In my point of view Fashion Enter and the Fashion Technology Academy is a great asset to the local community.”
Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion Enter / FTA commented: “We love breaking new ground and this unique event has enabled the unemployed of Haringey to understand the wide cross section of apprenticeships available in fashion today.
“Having the support from industry with ASOS’s Sourcing Director is such a result too. Grateful thanks to Tottenham Hotspur Foundation who have been inspirational in their support.”
Following the open day Sarah Ebanji commented that the event and opportunities on offer was: “incredibly impressive and very inspiring.”
Cllr Barbara Blake also mentioned she didn’t realise the extent of prefessionalism here, “this is a real asset to Haringey, you have employmentopportunities as well as bespoke training for both young, and not so young people which is fantastic.”
A huge thank you to everyone who attended, The Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and our guest speakers.