UKFT accompanied 33 British textile businesses at the AW 25/26 editions of Première Vision Paris and Milano Unica in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers and the Department for Business and Trade.

Première Vision Paris took place from 2 to 4 July at Parc des Expositions in Paris Nord Villepinte. Visitors could discover a selection of British textiles on the UKFT stand, which promoted the quality, innovation and creativity of the British textile sector to international buyers and press.

There was a noticeably smaller feel to PV this season with the show dropping from four halls and 1,310 exhibitors in July 2023 down to 933 exhibitors in two smaller halls in July 2024. The number of British companies at the show fell from 33 to 21 during the same period, with many companies citing shifting priorities, as well as the impact of the 4th July US holiday and the Paris Olympics on travel to France. With the absence of a lot of the worsted UK textile mills, the UKFT stand because an important showcase for buyers looking for quality British textiles.

Perhaps as a result of this reduced presence, those British mills who did show reported generally positive meetings on their stands and felt busy throughout the show. While the British manufacturers and cloth merchants were upbeat, the print designers reported that there had been slower footfall over the course of the three days.

Following the success and media attention around Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior Cruise 25 collection there was plenty of interest in British textiles, with many international buyers and press wanting to know more about tweed and tartan. A lot of the buyers in attendance were French, however there was also noticeably strong presence from the Middle East and South East Asia.

Milano Unica took place from 9 – 11 July at Fiera Milano in Rhò. UKFT took a stand at the show to showcase the textiles of the British companies present on their own stands at the show and to direct buyers and press in their direction.

Owing to its reputation for high quality exhibitors and visitors, the popularity of Milano Unica continues to grow with 24 British companies showing at the July 24 edition of the show. The show was visited by 5,541 companies, with many of the biggest European and North American fashion houses in attendance.

For the first time in recent times, there was an aisle specially reserved for British mills in the Ideabiella section of the show. During the first two days it was hard to walk onto any of the British stands in Ideabiella as they remained exceptionally busy throughout. The ModaIn and Shirt Avenue sections of the became particularly busy on Wednesday and Thursday.

On 9 July UKFT co-hosted an event at the British Consul General’s Residence to celebrate the British textile industry and British-Italian relations within fashion and textiles. British Consul General Catriona Graham and UKFT CEO Adam Mansell both gave speeches that highlighted the values of quality and craftsmanship that the British and Italian industries both share.

At both shows, here was much talk about the nature of the UK-EU trading relationship post-elections with UK and EU business leaders expressing cautious optimism that there could be a closer and more positive trading relationship between the UK and the EU.

UKFT Executive Dan Connolly commented on this season’s textile shows: “While many companies saw a slow start to 2024, PV and Milano Unica have been broadly positive. Over the past two weeks UK exhibitors have seen their key buyers from important markets who have engaged in encouraging business discussions. We have seen strong interest in British textiles, particularly in the wake of the Dior Cruise show, which has led many international buyers to reconnect with the unique character and qualities of British textiles.”

The UK group featured some of the UK’s finest mills, manufacturers and cloth merchants, in addition to creative textile and print designers, including: Abraham Moon, Alfred Brown, Amanda Kelly, Bella Tela, Bower Roebuck, British Millerain, City by Liberty Fabrics, Fox Brothers, Halley Stevensons, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Henry Bertrand, John Foster, Joseph H Clissold, Joshua Ellis, Kynoch of Scotland, Laurent Garigue Partnership, Liberty Fabrics, Linton Tweeds, Luxury Fabrics, Mallalieus, Magee Weaving,Marton Mills, Mr Grieves Originals, Peter Westcott, Pongees, Savile Clifford, Sourced Vintage Studio, Spence Bryson, Stephen Walters, Susanna Samson, Vintage Labels, Weavabel and William Halstead.

Follow us on Instagram @ukftorg for more information on the companies exhibiting at various events this season, or visit www.ukft.org/ukftglobalbrands to find out more about our international tradeshow activity.