In November 2019 N17 Creative Callings (N17CC) was set up to ensure continual development and growth of the creative sector in the Tottenham area of north London. This free, supportive programme has been co-funded by the Mayor of London and European Social Fund. From the beginning Fashion-Enter Ltd and Collage Arts have been working as one to deliver tailored support, training, expert advice and networking for established and start-up creative businesses.
With the project spanning over 2-years Fashion-Enter Ltd has supported, advised, trained and taught local individuals and businesses across many creative sectors, including clothing, accessories, animation and community.
The team worked to affectively incorporate the key aims of the initiative, which included:
+ Building a more appropriately skilled local workforce for creative businesses
To address the growing skills gap and support development of a more appropriately skilled workforce, helping the area become a more productive and competitive location for creative businesses to locate to.
Case studies include:
Silver Rox – Gary the founder of Silver Rox had grown an impressive following with his unique style and needed advice on how to develop this into a business. He began with a pattern and stitching course to fully understand the design to production process. He gained next steps industry advice from the team and is now in production with his first order.
Graham Parker – Graham had been running his freelance agency for the past 15-years producing content, layout and graphics for magazines and websites. One of the main areas Graham was keen to review was in new ways of marketing so the Fashion-Enter team designed and delivered a special course for him.
Social media provided Graham with more ways to reach new business opportunities. It was also important to ensure that Graham had the latest digital help on animation as he had highlighted this as a growth area. Fashion-Enter then networked Graham to N17 Creative Callings partners – Collage Arts who then recommended a Level 3 qualification.
Graham confirmed that the advice and course had supported his confidence and his presentation skills plus idea generation and he now had work flowing in.
+ Establishing improved partnerships between creative businesses and educational institutions
To promote active partnerships between businesses, schools, Further Education (FE) and Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s), to improve labour market relevance of skills training and create work experience and similar opportunities which tackle barriers to entry and progression in the creative sector for under-represented groups (leading to business-education relationships that can be sustained post project).
Case studies include:
A Creative Careers event held on 21st October 2021. Year 10 students from Heartlands High School in Haringey attended the two-hour event and tour of the factory to gain insight into the variety of careers and skills required to work within the fashion industry.
A series of seminars and tours were adapted to incorporate the course and curriculum of the visiting school, college or university. Throughout the project Fashion-Enter welcomed students from Westminster University, London College of Fashion and the Fashion Retail Academy. After each tour the team received feedback from all the students and the level of engagement and knowledge gained proved to be excellent.
+ Increasing the capacity and resilience of creative businesses
To develop the resilience of creative businesses in Tottenham and ensure they have access to appropriate skills and knowledge to secure their future. This will also support future expansion of creative businesses, especially in terms of job creation.
Case studies include:
Fashion-Enter hosted a range of Employer Engagement Sessions to provide leading support, industry developments and advice to established creative businesses. Sessions included guest speakers from the likes of ASOS, Kornit Digital, advice on running a business after COVID along with financial planning and guidance.
+ Creative Workers’ Support
The Fashion-Enter Ltd team engaged with creative businesses consistently from the N17 London postcode area and surrounding London boroughs. Each creative or business received a bespoke training plan aligned with the relevant experts with the aim to evolve the business and build a strong creative hub for the N17 area.
Visit the N17 Creative Callings website for further case studies and news from this business support initiative.