on Apr 11th, 2007London Fashion Business Assistance and Resources for Designers
The following list is a for designers looking for business assistance to help them make their mark in the Fashion market
Center For Fashion Enterprise (CFE) based on the London College of Fashion, is a business development program that works with early stage design companies. The CFE works with and partners with the London Development Agency and the London College of Fashion to provide business support for new Fashion Labels. The CFE provides services to fund and develop new connections, PR, Marketing and Sales Support, manufacturing links, business planning, strategic advice, accounting and access to new investors.
The British Fashion Council is the official voice of the designer fashion industry. It aims, with the help of industry benefactors, to promote British fashion designers worldwide.
The BFC works with designers to help them develop their businesses and reach their full potential
The London Apparel Resource Centre (LARC) and Production Innovation Centre (PIC) can give you the tools, show you the ropes, guide you on your path to success and expose your creativity to the people that matter and support you in your search for manufacturers, CMT (cut, make and trim) factories and even retailers.
Designer Forum The Designer Forum was originally set up as a ‘design club’ within EMTEX, some 10 years later it is now recognised on a UK wide basis and works with High Street retailers, brand & designer labels, manufacturers, academia, as well as individual designers. Offers Design, Business Development, Recruitment, and Education assistance.
For Business Development it offers: New Business Start-Up Courses, Business Workshops, Business Planning & Financial Management, Incubator Unit - “The Business Space”, Specialist Support & Funding, Business Mentoring.
Fashion Business Resource Studio has been established as a single point of contact sharing the creative, business and technical expertise of London College of Fashion with the fashion and lifestyle industries. Their mission is to generate a mutually supportive culture dedicated to improving the integration of emerging talent, technical expertise, new knowledge and entrepreneurial advice into industry. Part of the London College for the Arts
City Fringe Partnership Creative Hub Creative London emerged form the Mayor’s commission on creative industries, and is championed by the LDA. It exists to promote and grow the diversity, depth and energy of the creative industries in the capital. It’s an ambitious, long-term programme to promote, galvanise and invest in the creative industries. One of the aspirations of Creative London is to develop Creative Hubs across the capital.
Clerkenwell Designers Network has a network of business consultants and advisors all of whom are specialists from the Creative Industries and most have had direct experience of running a small business themselves. Collectively they bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organisation.
CGA provides a programme of seminars, workshops and one to one surgeries designed to develop and enhance the business skills of those running a small creative business. Tailor-made to meet the needs and demands of designers and crafts people at all stages in their business development, from pre-start to ten years plus, carefully addressing the differences required by new and mid-to-long term needs.
Fashion Enter is a dedicated not for profit company that has been created to provide fashion designers at any stage of their business development. Full support and networking opportunities combined with an online presence and a retail boutique based in Centrale’s Shopping Centre Croydon make Fashion-Enter a unique company. It aims to provide designers with a full information network to minimise risk of business failure.
Designers, generally, tend to be highly individual and creative individuals that almost see their work as an art form rather than a business. Fashion-enter aims to provide that support network that has instant access to your information needs.
Portobello Business Centre has helped small businesses raise over £3m in investment during the last financial year. They provide assistance with: Business advice for start-ups, Growth for existing businesses, Finance for business, IT Services, Fashion & Music industry expertise, Social enterprises, Training courses and Workspace.
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I am a designer looking for small batch CMT production factories here in the UK. Do you have any advice about where to start looking for listings of these & wholesale fabric suppliers.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Vlasta