The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is launching its free sourcing platform Letsmakeithere.org internationally, in response to growing global demand for UK-made fashion and textile products.

UKFT will present details of the new site, available in seven languages, at Make It British Live! in London this week to allow manufacturers to register and/or update their listing ahead of a full launch this summer.

The site, which connects UK fashion and textile manufacturers with designers, brands and retailers around the world, will be available in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. It will also feature improved search functionality and enhanced guidance on how to get the most from working with a UK manufacturer.

Letsmakeithere.org covers all stages of the supply chain, from yarns, fabrics and trimmings through to garment manufacturing (womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and accessories including bags, belts, hats, ties and blankets) and all relevant ancillary finishing and processing services.

Users can search by category, keyword or location to find firms supplying a wide range of clients, ranging from high street retailers, luxury brands and top designers to small start-ups.

“The UK is home to a diverse range of businesses producing fashion and textiles, from heritage manufacturers fusing artisan techniques with the latest technology through to cutting-edge technical textile producers and high-end designer manufacturing specialists,” said UKFT CEO Adam Mansell. “Our manufacturers produce product worth more than £9bn a year and employ more than 100,000 people.

“The launch comes as our vibrant and innovative UK manufacturing industry is enjoying a great renaissance, responding to growing domestic demand for speed and convenience as well as increasing interest from international consumers looking for quality UK-made product or a distinctly British look for their collections.”

Letsmakeithere.org is for companies that have their own production facilities in the UK and can produce for designers, brands and/or retailers to their own specifications and under their own label. Registration for manufacturers is free.

The internationalisation of the site was made possible with the kind support of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), the Department for International Trade (DIT), with continued support from fashion industry training grant provider CapitB.

For more information or to register, please email lmih@ukft.org.

UKFT has a wealth of experience leading new and established fashion and textile exporters on their journey to international success. With support from the Department of International Trade (DIT), UKFT takes around 700 brands and companies to overseas tradeshows and showrooms each year, covering menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, lingerie, footwear, swimwear and accessories, plus home textiles, technical textiles and apparel textiles.

UKFT’s director of international business Paul Alger will share success stories and inspiration from UK brands that are ‘made here, sold everywhere’ at this year’s Make It British Live in London on 30^th May 2019 at 4pm.

Paul has worked with UK designers and manufacturers in the fashion and textile industry since 1989, offering business advice and support, particularly relating to international trade and tradeshows. At MIB Live!, he will outline various examples of British brands that have entered new markets and developed a thriving export business, including how to avoid common pitfalls along the way.