Networking events for the fashion community launch in Leeds

Experts from across Leeds are set to come together for an exciting new programme of networking events designed to harness the city’s passion for fashion.

Next week’s ‘Fashion Start Ups – Building Your Brand’ will be the first in a series of events for the fashion community in Leeds which aim to bring people together to talk, learn and be inspired.

The event will feature industry leaders and professionals who will share their knowledge, experience and expertise on building a fashion brand.

The first of two guest speakers is Paul Alger, who is the Director of International Business Development at the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT).

Since 1989, Paul has worked with UK designers and manufacturers in the fashion and textile industry, offering business advice and support, particularly relating to international trade and trade shows.

Recently, he was a contributor in BBC TV’s Digby Jones: The New Troubleshooter programme.

Leeds based entrepreneur Rhian Kempadoo-Millar will share her experience of setting up Kempadoo-Millar Headwear, which produces a range of flat caps, now worn by high profile clients including the Earl of Harewood and actor Idris Elba.

Ethical fashion is at the heart of Rhian’s business - the manufacturing process can be traced through Yorkshire, from raw materials to suppliers, production and stockists.

Dawn Lighthouse from Leeds City Council’s Business & IP Centre will then explain how they can provide business support for start-ups and give guidance around Intellectual Property.

These networking events are part of the wider ‘Fashion in Leeds’ project that aims to market, develop and support the fashion sector in Leeds. Partners include Leeds City Council, Leeds BID, Hebe Works, Trinity Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds College of Art and Yorkshire Textiles.

The leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, said:

‘I am delighted that these networking events are taking place to help harness the impressive local design talent we have in the city.

"Fashion and textiles have long been one of the cornerstones of the Leeds economy and it is important that we continue to nurture the tradition of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship that has made the city one of the industry’s standard-bearers for generations.’

‘By bringing a broad range of experts together to share their knowledge and experience, we can help give those just starting out some important advice and inspiration, equipping them to then go on and become the next generation of Leeds fashion success stories.’

Anyone who currently works or is looking to work in the fashion industry is welcome to attend, ‘Fashion Start Ups – Building Your Brand’ will be held on Tuesday 29^th November at The Tetley, The Tetley, Ground Floor Gallery, Hunslet Road, Leeds, LS10 1JQ. The event will start at 17:30 and run until 19:30 with networking drinks and snacks.

For more updates on Fashion in Leeds networking events, please join the Fashion in Leeds online network http://www.fashioninleeds.com

For media enquiries, please contact;

Jo Lepelley,

Leeds City Council press office (0113) 22 43112

Email: joanna.lepelley@leeds.gov.uk