About Us
Centre for Fashion Enterprise is London’s Pioneering Fashion & FashTech Business Incubator
Read OnLondon is home to some of the fashion industry’s brightest design talent. To ensure a brand’s survival and success, though, takes more than raw talent.
It is crucial in today’s market for small businesses to understand their USP and vision, to be better informed and follow a considered development strategy. CFE facilitates this, unlocking creativity and business potential, allowing designers to gain an international foothold.
Working with the next generation of iconic design innovators, CFE fast tracks designers into businesses. Successes include Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Mary Katrantzou, Marques Almeida and Craig Green.
Fashion Technology Emerging Futures (FTEF)
The FTEF project vision is to support the new eco-system emerging in London, recognising the convergence of fashion and technology SMEs.
By way of our four-level tiered offering, the project encourages business growth via a programme of activities. These include intensive bespoke interventions/programmes, one-to-many workshops, fash-tech meet-ups, and Manufacturers Trade Fairs.
Businesses are supported to adopt and innovate their business models, products, and services. Through the creation of new fashion and lifestyle products, digital marketing and retail solutions, and digital supply chain tools, businesses unfold potential to transform the high-value fashion sector.
By driving growth and promoting greater cross-sector collaboration, the project supports SMEs to develop their capacity through improved business infrastructure, finance and better supply chains, ultimately improving the competitiveness of London’s fashion SMEs. CFE provides the tools to boost brand confidence – for designers, manufacturers, and buyers, to ultimately reach economic sustainability.
European Regional Development Fund
Centre for Fashion Enterprise is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The FTEF project is part funded from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, European Regional Development Fund funds help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations.
For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding
Timeline
5 new designers join the Jewellery Pioneer programme: WWAN(1), URIBE, Daou, Ellie Air Jewellery and Emma Montague
Accelerate business Charles Jeffrey joins alumni Faustine Steinmetz, Marta Jakubowski and Rokh in being shortlisted for the LVMH prize
CFE runs a second trade show alongside luxury fashion fabric show, Textile Forum
Fashion Tech Project Officer Ishwari Thopte joins the panel of the Global Start-up Bootcamp held in London, Paris and Dubai
Rokh, an alumnus of our Fashion Pioneer programme and Charles Jeffrey announced as finalists for the LVMH prize
7 current and alumni designers are announced as nominees in the British Isles category for the 2018/19 International Woolmark Prize: Alex Mullins, Ka Wa Key, Liam Hodges, Marta Jakubowski, Nicholas Daley, Richard Malone and Steven Tai
6 new innovators join Fashion Tech Pioneer Programme: LDC, Riina O, Weavenote, Kiren Passi, Seekers of Design (SODs), Sewport, Save your Wardrobe
Nicholas Daley announced as semi-finalist for International Woolmark Prize
CFE’s partners with HubSpot; a leader in CRM, inbound marketing and sales support for early-stage businesses.
Petit Pli, INDUO, and All Eyes, join our FashTech Accelerate residential programme
CFE Partners with Fashion Tech Toronto established by Ashley Barby, in 2017, as a way to connect both fashion and technology sectors through an ongoing, immersive event series.
CFE host standalone Manufacturers Trade Show at Asia House including jewellery and Fashtech exhibitors
Petit Pli win Dezeen Award
Progressive underwear brand MARIEYAT, womenswear labels Supriya Lele and Alistair James, streetwear-inspired social project LLSB (Long Live SouthBank) sustainability-focused menswear Bethany Williams, Contemporary menswear brands, DANSHAN and JORDANLUCA and textiles specialists Hours join the Fashion Pioneer programme
Criag Green wins British Designer of the Year Menswear at the Fashion Awards
Indonesia Fashion Forward (IFF) programme launches for 2017 for its sixth year
CFE Pioneer alumni COTTWEILER announced as the winner of the 2016/17 International Woolmark prize for Menswear
Launch of a new Jewellery Production workshop in partnership with CENTA
CFE x Christopher Raeburn collaborate for Sustainability focussed Fashion Production 1 workshop
EMEL+ARIS, BECOCO, HIGHER, FAVOUR UP, MESHMERISE and OKAUTUMN are the latest recruits on the FashTech Pioneer Programme
CFE welcome the first on site FashTech Accelerate businesses – cutting edge wearable tech company XO, customisable bridal wear platform PRIM & CLOVER, and 3D-bespoke shoe brand SOLELY ORIGINAL
CFE partners on Sónar+D Barcelona international conference
CFE holds first standalone Manufacturers Trade Show
Matthew Miller and Samantha McCoach of Le Kilt announced as the winners of the 2017/18 International Woolmark Prize British Isles regional final.
CFE hold second Manufacturers Trade Show alongside luxury fashion fabric show, Textile Forum
Designers Le Kilt, Joshua Millard, Feng Chen Wang, Nicholas Daley, Jamie Wei Huang and Art School join the Fashion Pioneer programme
Doppelhaus, Glitzbox, Petit Pli, Save Your Wardrobe, Shopest and Teggnet join the FashTech Pioneer programme for November
CFE designers Craig Green and Charles Jeffrey, and alumnus Jonathan Anderson win The Fashion Awards 2017 for their outstanding creativity and innovation
Molly Goddard, Charli Cohen, Charles Jeffrey and Ovelia Transtoto join Alex Mullins, Roberts Wood and Grace Wales Bonner on the Accelerate Programme
CFE returns to Leeds for Leeds New Market Entry programme
CFE alumni, Teatum Jones, win Woolmark Prize in Womenswear
Launch of CFE Fashion Technology and Emerging Futures Project
CFE ‘Venture’ programme changes name to ‘Accelerate’
CFE Pioneer alumni Grace Wales Bonner wins LVMH prize
Fashion Pioneer programme supports designers Sadie Williams, ROBERTS | WOOD Kéji, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY , R-O-K-H and This is the Uniform
CFE Pioneer alumni COTTWEILER and current Accelerate designer Faustine Steinmetz announced as the menswear and womenswear winners 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize British Isles regional final
CFE launches new fashion production programme – Fashion P1
The Jewellery Pioneer Programme in partnership with CENTA launches supporting 12 businesses
CFE partners on the Decoded Fashion Milan summit 2016
CFE recruits AWAYTOMARS, Cashmere App, Gilded Lab, MEAME, Solely Original, and Tinker Design for FashTech Pioneer programme
CFE Leeds Pioneer alumni designers Cabba and Julia D’albert launch collections at John Lewis Leeds
CFE alumni designers, Craig Green, Molly Goddard and Simone Rocha all win awards at The Fashion Awards
Designers Bashaques’, Ece Gozen, Maya Bash and Muslin Brothers successfully complete YOTA programme
CFE launches its pilot FrontRow Fash-Tech programme funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) and supports 9 fashion tech businesses for 3 months
Venture designers Fyodor Golan & Craig Green and pioneer alumni Claire Barrow win at the debut Fashion Future Awards by Decoded Fashion and BFC
Venture designers Marques’ Almeida and Agi & Sam win at WGSN Global Awards
Venture designers Agi & Sam and Teatum Jones win the Woolmark Prize for British Isles in menswear and womenswear categories respectively
Venture designers Marques’ Almeida win the LVMH prize for 2015
CFE becomes a UKTI Trade Challenge Partner
CFE welcomes Muslin Brothers from Israel and Bashaques from Turkey as designers in residence for 6 months on the YOTA programme
CFE selects two new venture designers – Liam Hodges and Faustine Steinmetz
The pan -European WORTH pilot project, led by CFE, concludes in 35 unique products that were exhibited in London and Paris – October 2015
CFE alumni designers J.W Anderson, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, Thomas Tait and Grace Wales Bonner win at British Fashion Awards
CFE appoints The Barn as their digital consultants to work with designers on their digital strategy
CFE launches its first regional programmes outside London, in Leeds in partnership with Leeds City Council and Lambert’s Yard
Bridging the gap between fashion, technology and digital industries, CFE launches the ‘Fashion Tech Meetup’ series
CFE and DISC consult with Hackney council to help setup ‘Fashion Lab’ at the Trampery, London Fields
CFE alumni Thomas Tait wins the inaugural LVMH prize
CFE hosts a one day symposium ‘Fashion Talks London’ discussing future of business support with pan European incubators
CFE venture designers Craig Green and Marques Almeida win in the emerging designers category at British Fashion Awards
Building on success CFE International expands its work in Indonesia Turkey, and Qatar
CFE agency re launches as Fashion Innovation Agency, expands team and remit of work, Matthew Drinkwater appointed as Head of Agency
245 fashion designer businesses have been supported by CFE since 2003
CFE celebrates 10 years supporting the most talented and exciting emerging designer businesses in London
CFE launches new website
CFE launches Building Brand Equity programme to help designers to prepare their businesses for attracting investment
CFE attracts continued support and funding from ERDF
In association with Olswang LLP, CFE publish “Intellectual Property in the Fashion Design Industry” helping designers understand and manage IP.
Baartmans and Siegel, Agi and Sam, Marques Almeida join Venture and take studios at Mare st. Fyodor Golan and Teatum Jones join Venture.
Femina Media Group Indonesia commission CFE International to deliver bespoke business support to emerging Indonesian designers
CFE establish designer fashion investment programme, 1st designer to investor pitch takes place at Hospital Club, Covent Garden
CFE partner with UKTI to deliver E commerce Digital Seminar
CFE International host summer fashion incubation programme for 10 Turkish Designers at Mare st.
Bianca Fincham – Director Rainbowwave PR appointed to manage CFE PR.
CFE launches DISC, Designer – Manufacturer Innovation Support Centre. Helping fashion designers and manufacturers innovate their business, products and services.
Jackie JS Lee joins venture. Matthew Miller, Dominic Jones, Katie Rowland, William Richard Green, Agi and Sam, Fydor Golan, Georgia Hardinge join Pioneer
CFE partner with NESTA to launch Designer and Manufacturer production Toolkits
CFE run 1st of 2 intensive boot camps for fashion business start ups. NatWest sponsor £1000 prize fund, Natalie Rae Richardson wins inaugural prize.
CFE International undertakes Indonesian scoping mission with British Council to develop “Indonesian Fashion Industry roadmap”
Turkish government appoints CFE Agency as sole provider of design consultancy to Turkish Fashion Industry
Christopher Raeburn, Louise Gray join Venture and take studios at Mare St. James Long joins Venture
Judith Tolley appointed, joins team as CFE Manager
Christopher Shannon, Simone Rocha, Sibling, Eudon Choi join Pioneer
CFE partner with Fashion East and British Fashion Council (BFC) to launch inaugural London menswear sales showroom in Paris. Funded by UKTI
Holly Fulton and Thomas Tait join Venture and take up studios at Mare st. Sibling join Venture
Agency brokers high profile collaborations – Christopher Raeburn for Victorinox, Holly Fulton for Smythson
CFE forms Fashion Alliance, works with strategic partners to look at Designer high-end manufacturing issues. Partners include NESTA, UKFT, Grant Thornton and BFC
New 2 day intensive workshop programme – Market Entry launches, designed to support early stage designer businesses
After 3 seasons hosting designer showrooms NY, CFE partner with BFC for 1st London show ROOMS New York.
CFE wins ERFD bid securing 3 further years of funding, studio facilities expand at Mare st.
Mary Katrantzou joins Jean Pierre Braganza, Aminaka Wilmont, Hannah Marshall on CFE venture. Mary moves to CFE studios, stays for 2½ years .
JW Anderson, Ostwald Helgason, Carolyn Massey, Holly Fulton join Pioneer
Olswang LLP supports CFE providing Venture designers with unrivalled package of legal expertise
DCMS commission CFE to write UK high-end manufacturing report – highlights case for Designer and
Fashion Manufacturer Alliance and Designer Innovation and Sampling Centre
CFE launches agency to broker collaborations and consultancy for designers
CFE host inaugural New York, Designer showroom at Soho Grand, funded by UKTI
Meadham Kirchhoff joins Venture for 2 years. Henry Holland, Felder Felder, Todd Lynn, David David join Pioneer
Jane Shepherdson, Chief Executive Whistles joins CFE Board
NESTA commissions CFE to write first ever study of high end designer businesses “The UK Designer Fashion Economy”
CFE launches 6 month programme – Pioneer, supports Louise Gray, Meadham Kirchhoff, Louise Goldin
Peter Pilotto joins Venture moves to CFE studios for 2½ years
CFE supports independent Paris sales showroom, Peter Pilotto, Meadham Kirchhoff, Louise Gray and David David exhibit
Daniel Marks, Director Communications Store joins CFE Board
Wendy Malem appointed Director of CFE, re shapes vision and sets out future strategy
Jan Miller joins CFE team, advising on strategic business planning
Marios Schwab joins Venture
CFE launches 2 year bespoke support programme – Venture
Erdem wins Fashion Fringe, joins Venture and moves to CFE studios for 3 years
Manish Arora invited to show at London Fashion week, joins Erdem on Venture
London College of Fashion gifts designer studio and office space to CFE at Mare st. , Hackney
Partnership with Fashion Fringe develops, CFE supports first winner, Basso and Brooke
CFE Advisory Board forms, strategic advisors Suzanne Tide Frater and Sarah Mower join
CFE supports Pauric Sweeney, Hamish Morrow, Tristan Webber, Anne Sophie Back and Jewellers Mawi
Mayor of London supports London’s fashion designers, funds Centre for Fashion Enterprise for 3 years
Centre for Fashion Enterprise (CFE) launches at Mayors City Hall
First CFE grant scheme supports Bora Aksu, Alastair Carr, Chris Liu, Christopher Ryan
