On Saturday 13th August, Fashion Technology Academy (FTA) Leicester opened its doors at Phoenix House for Leicester Forward — a community open studio event dedicated to sustainable fashion, textile education, and local creativity.
The event was designed to spark a culture of reuse, recycling, and upcycling, offering end-of-roll fabrics, garment samples, and finished pieces at ultra-affordable prices. The goal was simple yet powerful: to keep valuable materials in circulation and inspire the next generation of makers, designers, and conscious consumers.
Among the visitors was a fashion student from De Montfort University, who discovered a range of premium fabrics for her current slow fashion project — a perfect reflection of the event’s spirit: breathing new life into existing resources while rethinking our relationship with consumption.
From hobbyist sewers to professional designers, Leicester Forward drew a diverse crowd united by their passion for sustainable style and community connection.
More than a studio, FTA Leicester serves as a hub for fashion and textile education, offering training in stitching, pattern cutting, Skills Bootcamps, and workers’ rights. The centre works closely with designers, suppliers, and local manufacturers to promote sustainable practices and strengthen Leicester’s regional supply chain.
At the same time, FTA Leicester engages the wider public — offering guidance and resources to help extend the life of clothing and textiles, a crucial step in reducing textile waste across the UK.
Events like Leicester Forward show how community-led initiatives can create real change. By making materials affordable and accessible, and providing a space to learn, share, and connect, FTA Leicester continues to lead the way toward a more circular, sustainable future for fashion.
Stay tuned for upcoming events and workshops at FTA Leicester — where creativity meets community, and sustainability takes centre stage.