Fashion Hub launching stitching academy

Following the approval of the Hackney Fashion Hub by Hackney Council, further details of the developments support schemes for the local textiles manufacturing industry including the launch of a ‘Stitching Academy’ have been unveiled.

The 100 million pound ‘fashion hub’, hailed as a Bicester Village-style fashion outlet, aims to transform the Hackney area by refurbishing railway arches to create a complex to house retail units, a restaurant, and a cafe, as well as a ‘Stitching Academy’ to offer apprenticeships and training opportunities.

The academy aims to support textile production for start-up designers and makers, and will offer apprenticeship and training schemes on sewing and stitching, as well as machinery operation, inspecting and measuring, health and safety, and the design and production of textiles.

In addition, there are plans for a subsidised sampling, alternation and manufacturing unit, for Hackney businesses to use. This will allow fledgling design based companies to produce small unit runs at commercial prices which will help to develop their businesses. The aim of the unit is to keep the whole end-to-end process from creation and manufacturing to retailing directly to the customer all within the East London borough.

Hackney Fashion Hub announces details to support local designers

Fashion director Caren Downie said: “Our overall mission is to assist in the delivery of business support services, to provide apprenticeship and employment opportunities, support the local supply chain and enable the fashion industry to grow sustainable businesses.”

Jack Basrawy of Chatham Works, which is co-designing the project with Manhattan Loft Corporation added: “The go-ahead for the Hackney Fashion Hub is great news for Hackney’s up-and-coming designers. We can now start to deliver on our promise of a new Stitching Academy and the Hackney Fashion Hub Trust.

“These plans will provide support for local designers and manufacturers with training, access to top range equipment and new apprenticeships for local people.”

The new ‘fashion hub’, which will begin development in early 2014, will also create around 400 new jobs for local residents working in sales, fashion design, manufacturing, stitching and alterations, catering and hospitality, and security and maintenance.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, cabinet member for regeneration, Hackney Council, explained: “One of the key goals for us is that the Fashion Hub creates local jobs and opportunities for residents to create new business. It's crucial that new developments like this benefit the whole community, including existing businesses and town centres.”

Image: A visualisation of the Hackney Fashion Hub