Supporting the Next Generation of Designers: Leicester Fashion Hub x ATMF – Joanna and Annie

The Leicester Fashion Hub, in collaboration with the Apparel and Textile Manufacturing Federation (ATMF), is playing a vital role in supporting emerging fashion designers by connecting education, industry expertise, and real-world opportunities. Through hands-on workshops, mentoring, and access to manufacturing networks, the partnership helps students and early-stage designers take confident steps toward launching their own brands.

Jo Bean, Technical Manager at the Leicester Fashion Hub, welcomed two De Montfort University fashion design students, Joanna and Annie, who have recently engaged with the Hub to deepen their industry knowledge. Both are currently in their second year of their Fashion Design degree and have expressed strong ambitions to develop their own ranges. They are also keen to explore stocking their future collections on ATMF’s Threadchain platform, which connects designers with ethical UK manufacturers.

Joanna and Annie attended the Fibres to Fabric workshop by Niall Maplesden, founder of The Knowledge Nexus Limited at the Fashion Hub on 19th December, describing it as incredibly helpful. The session provided valuable insights into materials, production processes, and supply chains, knowledge that will support both their academic studies and their longer-term plans to establish their own brands.

This collaboration highlights how the Leicester Fashion Hub and ATMF are nurturing talent and strengthening the future of UK fashion manufacturing.