The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) will accompany a group of over 30 British textile companies to Milano Unica from 9-11 July 2024. Regarded by industry professionals as the leading international fair for premium textiles, Milano Unica is hosted at Rho Fieramilano in Milan. The trade fair skilfully hand-picks a curated exhibitor line-up to showcase the finest in textile heritage and innovation.  

This season, the UK group features leading textile mills, cloth merchants and print studios presenting their Autumn-Winter 25/26 collections. Their diverse offering spans classic suiting fabrics, specialty textiles, creative prints and natural fibres showing the UK’s unique blend of tradition, creativity and innovation.  

Buyers and press will have the opportunity to browse a selection of high-quality textiles from a number of British exhibitors at the UKFT stand (Hall 4/E08). As part of its ‘Global Brands’ campaign, UKFT will promote the British group online across its social media channels and on the ground. UKFT’s activity in Milan is supported by the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and the Department for Business & Trade (DBT). 

Image: Mallalieus.

Image: Moon.

On 9 July 2024 Catriona Graham, HM Consul General to Milan, will pay a visit to the UK mills exhibiting at Milano Unica accompanied by UKFT CEO Adam Mansell and UKFT Executive Daniel Connolly. On the same evening, HM Consul will host a reception celebrating UK textiles for British textile mills and Italian decision makers, with most UK exhibitors in attendance. 

The British group at Milano Unica includes:  

Ideabiella: Alfred Brown (Hall 4 F03), Bower Roebuck (Hall 4 F10), Fox Brothers (Hall 4 F09), Harris Tweed Hebrides (Hall 4 C10), John Foster 1819 (Hall 4 F05), Joseph H Clissold (Hall 4 F04), Joshua Ellis (Hall 4 F06), Kynoch of Scotland (Hall 4 F05), Luxury Fabric Group (Hall 4 F05), Magee Weaving (Hall 4 F01), Mallalieus (Hall 4 F02), Moon (Hall 4 F07), Savile Clifford (Hall 4 F10), Stephen Walters (Hall 4 F08), William Halstead (Hall 4 F06). 

Moda In Fabrics: British Millerain (Hall 2 F26), Halley Stevensons (Hall 2 K23), Laurent Garigue (Hall 1 B16), Liberty Fabrics (Hall 1 E08), Linton Tweeds (Hall 2 F22), Marton Mills (Hall 2 E27), Pongees (Hall 1 B20), Spence Bryson (Hall 2 E28). 

Shirt Avenue: City By Liberty Fabrics (Hall 4 A01). 

Image: Alfred Brown (mill). 

Image: Marton Mills (mill).

What’s new this season?

The woollen and worsted cloth manufacturer Fox Brothers will showcase its Autumn-Winter 25/26 collection inspired by the rich tones of Somerset’s moors, and the Fox Cocktail Collection of plain and checked baratheas, worsted fabrics and bright flannels. 

British Millerain begins the lead-up to prepare for its 150th anniversary  with its latest range of rainproof textiles, including its new machine washable and novel dry-wax fabrics in a wide array of colours and weights.  

Wax cotton and weatherproof specialist Halley Stevensons is celebrating its 160th Anniversary as well as exciting collaborations with British heritage brand Yarmouth Oilskins and London-based brand Paynter Jacket Co.  

Image: Laurent Garigue.

Image: Pongees.

John Foster, William Halstead and Kynoch of Scotland from the SIL Group will be presenting their AW 25/26 collections. “Our collections and fabrics are inspired by the stunning Scottish landscape that surrounds the mill, from heathery purples to deep rich forest greens this collection is deeply rooted in its Scottish heritage,” commented Kynoch of Scotland.   

Luxury cloth merchant Harris Tweed Hebrides is launching its 2025 collection with six new colourways featuring blended yarn shades and a stock supported collection of undyed fabrics. While the high fashion fabric and tweed specialist Laurent Garigue will display a new collection of redefined British tweeds, brushed mohairs and eveningwear textiles. The luxury and designer fabric specialist Liberty Fabrics will show its AW25 collection: 

“Divided into three distinct narratives – Craftsmanship, Collaboration, and Collectibles – From the Studio unveils design sketches and archival studies, shedding light on Liberty’s innovative artistic practice. This collection reveals the journey from inspiration through drawing, painting, and experimenting with digital artwork to the final printed textile.” 

Image: Kynoch of Scotland.

Image: William Halstead.

One of the few remaining vertical mills in the UK, Mallalieus, will present a tweed collection created using its house melange yarn as well as British wools and Shetland checks. The family-owned weaving mill Marton Mills will build on the British tweed offering with a seasonal tweed collection combining warm wool and nature-inspired shades.   

Luxury silk specialist Pongees will highlight new colourways for AW 24/25. “With our huge colour palette, Pongees offers the shades that deliver these moods, along with tones that also express escapism and utilitarianism/sustainability, two other WGSN themes,” commented Nick Moore, Pongees’ Managing Director.  

British cloth merchant Moon said: “We are excited to unveil our latest Autumn Winter 2025-2026 apparel fabric collection. This collection seamlessly blends the timeless elegance of British style with fresh, modern influences, ensuring both classic charm and contemporary sophistication.” 

Buyers and the press are invited to visit the UKFT stand (Hall 4/E08) to find out more about British exhibitors showing at Milano Unica. Click on the link below for more information on UKFT’s work at international trade shows:

UKFT GLOBAL BRANDS