We are delighted to share some updates from Q3 2024 that underline our work to build a stronger UK fashion and textile industry.

UKFT Q3 2024 Member Report

We’re thrilled to welcome new members from all parts of the supply chain, including material innovators, fashion and textile manufacturers, testing houses, designer brands, educators and retailers. Not yet a member? Find out more here.

Our goal is to highlight the strengths of our industry and keep you informed about the latest trends, updates and insights. To help showcase just some of the great work happening, our president, HRH The Princess Royal, visited textile group SIL Group in West Yorkshire and fashion manufacturer ApparelTasker in London. Our team has also had the pleasure of visiting many of you over the past few months, learning about your latest projects, and discussing the challenges and opportunities you face.

We’ve been supporting members with everything from compliance, labelling, sustainability and export paperwork, to helping companies develop export strategies. We also hosted webinars on key topics like REACH legislation, opportunities in India and EU sustainability laws. Members can catch up these webinars at any time. Email info@ukft.org to access.

We’ve published a new guide on international dyeing technology, plus guidance on exporting to Canada, trading with South Korea, and avoiding greenwashing in line with the latest Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) guidelines.

On the global stage, we continue to support UK brands at major international tradeshows and events through our Discover British Brands and Textiles campaigns, ensuring the UK fashion and textile industry is well represented worldwide. Most recently, we have supported UK companies at events including Paris Fashion Week, Chicago Collective and Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics.

As part of our commitment to promote the wealth of careers, employers and training opportunities available in the UK fashion and textile industry, we work with local industry, training providers, schools and recruitment organisations to deliver an annual series of career events and job fairs across the UK. Our current programme is underway and we’ve already showcased our sector at events in Exeter, Edinburgh, Derby, Huddersfield and London.

Lastly, sustainability and innovation are top priorities for us. We’re actively involved in large-scale projects aimed at tackling some of the industry’s biggest challenges, including the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) and the ACT UK projects. Members can also access our Sustainability 101 guides.

One of our main aims is to unite the industry for collective action and collaboration. A highlight this quarter was hosting the Sustainability Conference at Drapers Hall in London, focusing on textile waste, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recycling.

Keep reading to learn more about these exciting initiatives and feel free to get in touch out if there are further ways we can help you. Thank you for your ongoing support!

UKFT Q3 2024 Member Report