Experiential learning to drive
sustainability and growth
Evo Fashion is an experiential programme for emerging brands and fashion technology businesses. It takes a holistic approach to guiding early-stage businesses on strategy, environmental and social governance, communications, investment readiness and more – all within the goal of driving sustainable economic growth.
Designed to fit alongside work commitments, activities include an initial two-day intensive, masterclasses, and peer-to-peer learning culminating in an industry showcase.
Evo Fashion is delivered by Fashion District and Evo Learning
The programme will run twice during 2024 – once for emerging designers and brands (March – July), and once for start-ups and early-stage businesses with science or technology-driven software, hardware or related solutions that could be applicable to the fashion and/or materials industries (September – December).
COHORT ONE
EMERGING DESIGNERS
FASHION BRANDS
COHORT TWO
FASHION TECHNOLOGY
BUSINESSES
Programme Overview
Evo Fashion is delivered by experts and will be held over five IRL workshop sessions across a period of three months, and supported with online peer-to-peer sessions covering the following subjects:
- Environmental and Social Governance
- Exploring New Business Models
- Sustainable Growth and Investment
- Founder Wellbeing, Leadership and Impactful Teams
Expert coaches and guest speakers include;
- Sustainability champion and luxury expert Vanessa Podmore, Founder of Podmore Consultancy
- People coach and Evo Learning’s coach-in-residence Tom Farrand, Founder of Human Energy Co
- Sustainability, innovation and fashion tech expert Brooke Roberts-Islam, Founder of Techstyler
Timeline
SEPTEMBER
- 10-11 September: Launchpad with first Peer-to-Peer session (IRL)
- 24 September: Monthly workshop (IRL)
- September: Expert 1:1 on Product and Peer-to-Peer session (Online)
OCTOBER
- 8 October: Monthly workshop (IRL)
- 17 October: Webinar (Online)
- 22 October: Monthly workshop (IRL)
- October: Expert 1:1 on Business Strategy and Peer-to-Peer session (Online)
NOVEMBER
- 12 November: Monthly workshop (IRL)
- November: Expert 1:1 on Team and Leadership and Peer-to-Peer session (Online)
- 27 November: Cohort showcase (IRL)
These are the provisional dates for our second cohort, which is targeted at fashion technology businesses, and may be subject to changes.
Workshops will be held in person at The Trampery Fish Island Village, 13 Rookwood Way, E3 2XT.
Who is Evo Fashion for?
We are looking for start-ups and early-stage businesses with science or technology-driven software, hardware or related solutions that could be applicable to the fashion and/or materials industries.
We’re looking for fashion innovators, disrupters and entrepreneurs that are changing the face of fashion through technology and innovation. Examples of relevant businesses include, but are not limited to:
- New materials
- Digital twins
- Augmented reality
- Virtual reality
- Extended reality
- Resale technology
- Rental apps
- Recycling hardware
- Digital passports
- Retail tech
- Production software
- E-comm solutions
- and much, much more!
We encourage applications from those who are embracing social and environmental impact and are supportive of inclusivity and diversity.
Eligibility
To be eligible to join this fully-funded programme, by the time of application businesses must be:
- A registered business for at least 18 months
- London-based (an office with a London address)
- Trading for a minimum of 18 months in at least one market
- Employing 2-5 people (full time equivalent)*
- A turnover or investment of a minimum of £50k in the last financial year*
- An ambition to grow
- Committed to attending all sessions
*If you meet all the criteria other than the number of people employed or the minimum of £50k in the last financial year, and you feel you have a strong application for the programme, please contact us at fashion@evolearning.co
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
Applications Open for Cohort Two
We encourage applications from eligible fashion technology businesses for our second cohort, starting in September. Please refer to Who is Evo Fashion For? above for more information. If you are ensure whether this programme is suitable for your business, please contact us via the button below.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage applications from founders that are disabled, women, black, POC, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities.
Successful participants for the second round of Evo Fashion will be officially notified in July.
If you have any difficulties accessing the form or have additional accessibility needs, please contact our team directly via the button below so we can help support you in the process.
Criteria
Applications will be scored on four main criteria:
- Business Profile – recognition, skills and experience.
- Growth Potential – brand partnerships, new business model/solution, turnover, investment track record, ambition, expertise and team.
- Positive Social & Environmental Impact – social and environmental mission, innovative product.
- Inclusion & Diversity – supportive of inclusivity and diversity throughout the business.
Selection Panel
Applicants will be selected by a leading panel of industry experts including:
Tom Adeyoola
Entrepreneur, Executive and Board Director
Brooke Roberts-Islam
Founder
Techstyler
Lisa Chatterton
Business Manager
Fashion Innovation Agency
Helen Lax
Director
Fashion District
Charles Armstrong
Founder and CEO
Evo Learning and The Trampery
FAQs
How much time do I have to commit to the programme?
Evo Fashion will have 5 x in-person workshop sessions including a two-day launch weekend and four monthly workshops between September and November (one-day sessions); 3 x one-to-one business advice sessions (approximately one hour); 4 x peer-to-peer workshops (approximately one hour).
Can I attend any sessions remotely?
Unless otherwise specified, all monthly workshops will be held in person at The Trampery Fish Island Village, 13 Rookwood Way, E3 2XT. Typically expert mentoring and peer-to-peer workshops will be held online.
It’s important that you’re able to attend all of these sessions in person in order to complete the programme as there will not be the option to attend virtually.
What if I don’t meet all of the eligibility requirements, can I still apply?
The mandatory eligibility requirements are:
- A registered business for at least 18 months
- London-based (an office with a London address)
- Trading for a minimum of 18 months in at least one market
- Employing 2-5 people (full time equivalent)*
- A turnover or investment of a minimum of £50k in the last financial year*
- An ambition to grow
- Committed to attending all sessions
*If you meet all the criteria other than the number of people employed or the minimum of £50k in the last financial year, and you feel you have a strong application for the programme, please contact us at fashion@evolearning.co
If you don’t meet the essential requirements listed above, this programme may not be suitable for you just yet but sign up to our mailing list to be alerted for future programmes and events.
PARTNERS
Fashion District
Fashion District is a hub for fashion innovation in east London connecting fashion, technology, business and education to provide innovation networks, affordable space, business support and investment.
Find out more www.fashion-district.co.uk
Evo Learning
Evo Learning is a specialist in high-impact training for startups and enterprises. Courses are presented by leading subject experts, with innovative experiential learning workshops to generate insight and embed learning. Evo Learning is the learning business from The Trampery, London’s leading purpose-led workspace provider.
Find out more evolearning.co
Grow London Early Stage
Grow London Early Stage is London & Partners business support programme for early-stage growth companies active in high-growth sectors that support sustainable and inclusive growth in London. The programme is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Find out more grow.london/early-stage.
Contact Us
Any questions about the programme or how to apply? Drop us an email.