Since 1909, Selfridges department store has earned a reputation for delivering a dynamic and socially conscious retail experience. By blending iconic designer brands with emerging local labels and interactive in-store events, Selfridges has redefined traditional shopping, earning the title of ‘Best Department Store in the World’ four times, with branches in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

On 16th April, Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) welcomed 10 Selfridges team members to its Haringey headquarters for an insightful CPPD (Continuing Personal and Professional Development) workshop and factory tour. Led by FEL Director Caroline Ash, the session offered a deep dive into the garment production process, covering essential topics such as compliance and ethics, AI integration in fashion, buying and sourcing practices, workers’ rights, labour exploitation, and sustainable practices like repair and repurposing.

Caroline Ash shared her thoughts on the day: “This CPPD with Selfridges brought together a fantastic mix of professionals across Buying, Sourcing, Circularity, Concepts, and Environmental Management. The group was genuinely engaged, especially during the factory tour and demonstrations of our AI tool, Style3D. They were also the first to experience our new Knitwear Rapid Swatch & Development. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive — it was a thoroughly rewarding experience.”

Participant feedback highlighted the impact of the workshop:

“I learnt about the real challenges of clothes/garment production. I had never visited a factory before. Loved the entire visit — it was so insightful to learn the truths behind the journey of a product.”

“Caroline is a font of knowledge!”

“I gained so much knowledge about the product lifecycle, especially around waste issues. I was blown away by the skill in the factory — incredible talent. Caroline’s passion and energy were infectious!”

“It was amazing to be up close with the garment-making process. I asked lots of questions and learnt so much!”

“10 out of 10. I now understand how a garment is made, explored sustainable alternatives, and saw real-world brand examples.”

“I now know what ‘stitch to shelf’ truly means — and saw ethical practices in action.”

If you’re interested in learning more about FEL’s industry-acclaimed CPPD workshops, click here.