Creative United and partners launch fashion focused business support programme in Waltham Forest

Creative United has today launched its latest business support programme, Forge Fashion, delivered in partnership with Hive Collective, Stuart Balmer and Nigel Rust, and funded by Waltham Forest Council and Fashion District

The programme will help 30 of Waltham Forest’s fashion and textile businesses to thrive sustainably – both environmentally and financially – during Covid recovery and beyond, through workshops, one-to-one advice and networking. It will support a mix of new and existing businesses from across the fields of fashion and textiles. Each will gain a better understanding of the strengths in their businesses, the chance to extend their network and create a bespoke action plan for sustainable growth.

Forge Fashion will tap into Waltham Forest’s rich heritage of artisans, craft and manufacture and is inspired by the current urgent need to reduce the negative environmental impact of fast fashion. The programme forms part of the borough’s mission to create supportive networks, affordable workspace and business programmes that build resilience and sustainability, to encourage a connected, diverse and environmentally conscious fashion and textile business community.

Sarah Thirtle, the Director of Business Support Programmes at Creative United, said:

“Building on the successes of our popular business support programme for creative enterprises in Blackhorse Lane – Forge – we are thrilled to be working closely again with Waltham Forest Council on Forge Fashion, and with new partner the Fashion District. “Enabling businesses to grow, instilling confidence in the people that run them and enhancing the positive social benefits of creative enterprise are at the core of Creative United’s purpose. That’s why, at the heart of Forge Fashion, is the goal to build the skills and capabilities in the borough’s fashion and textile designers and makers so they can become leaders in sustainable business practices.”

To celebrate the launch of Forge Fashion, Creative United will be hosting Instagram live events at 7pm each evening on 20, 22, and 24 July, where they will be joined by special guests from across the industry. Timings below:

20 July How to scale up your business w/ Rosie Wolfenden MBE, Tatty Devine

22 July Fashion business during and post COVID-19 w/ Anna Ellis, Centre for Fashion Enterprise

24 July Using fash-tech innovation to create sustainability w/ Ryan Yasin, Petit Pli

Each event will start promptly at 7pm. There will also be time for our audience to ask questions to the guests in a live Q&A and to find out more about the Forge Fashion programme.

Applications are now open until 18 September 2020.