UKFT is bringing designers and manufacturers together to ensure the sustainable growth of the UK fashion and textile industry

The UK has an array of manufacturers that deliver high-quality services to the fashion industry, but many people don’t realise what fantastic capabilities there are on their doorstep.

UK firms supply some of the world’s leading luxury brands, independent designer labels, the high street and more.

Demand is growing as a new wave of emerging brands have entered the sector. These businesses are increasingly looking to source fashion production here, while new and established manufacturers are expanding their services to meet the exacting needs of the industry today.

UKFT is working to support the growth of ‘made in the UK’ by linking UK manufacturers with brands, designers and retailers, and helping them to work effectively together.

For manufacturers

We’re working with manufacturers to address skills gaps and encourage new people into the industry.

We’re also relaunching our free-to-access sourcing platform letsmakeithere.org, which connects UK fashion and textile manufacturers with designers, brands and retailers around the world. Letsmakeithere.org covers all stages of the supply chain, from yarns, fabrics and trimmings through to garment manufacturing (womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, footwear and accessories) and all relevant ancillary finishing and processing services.

For designers

We’re working with the next generation of designers to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to source from the UK, helping to foster successful partnerships.

We’ve established a new community for early-stage fashion and textile businesses that have been trading for less than three years called UKFT Rise. Find out more at ukft.org/rise

At Textile Forum

UKFT is supporting the manufacturing zone at Textile Forum again this season where brands looking for UK production of garments and accessories will find exhibitors offering a wide range of development and production services. These include:

Intimate Apparel Samples: A technical design and development atelier for lingerie, swimwear, and athleisure.

Intimate Apparel Samples is a design and development unit specialising in lingerie, swimwear, and athleisure. We can fulfil most of your technical requirements in-house at our London based studio, which is equipped with the specialist machinery required for contour garments.

MAES London is a high-end garment manufacturing studio based in East London.

We produce garments for world-renowned fashion designers. Our work features on the runway and sells at luxury retailers globally. Our speciality is womenswear: dresses, evening gowns, soft separates and bridal wear including corsetry. We work with all woven fabrics including silks, satins, chiffons, velvet, embroidery, organza and print placement.

Plus Samples is a London-based studio specialising in the production of high-end garments, in smaller volumes, from 1 to 200 pieces.

Our expertise covers all categories of men’s and women’s soft tailoring, soft separates and light-weight silk and jersey fabrics. We are able to offer a one stop solution for all your garment development and manufacturing requirements such as pattern cutting, grading, toiling and sampling, lay marking and production costings as well as garment technical packs and bulk production

Ruth Glen specialises in the bespoke design and make of leather handbags and accessories.

With three decades of experience, following training in all aspects of Leather Product Design & Making at Cordwainers, Ruth runs a London based studio specialising in the design, development and prototyping of leather handbags and accessories.  From design concept to final working product, Ruth works closely with up and coming designers as well as established brands.

Sew it in London (SIIL) is a manufacturing, production service provider, offering professional high quality service of manufacturing in Dagenham, Essex.

Here at Sew It In London we offer small to medium productions, no minimum order from pre- production sampling, tech packs, Toiles, pattern cutting services and design room space for aspiring designers, start-ups and projects. Products range from women’s, men’s and kids wear in ready-to-wear and bespoke.

Unlimited Fashion is a London clothing manufacturers with over 50 years of experience.

We provide a CMT service for high-end brands who showcase at London Fashion Week and are stocked in luxury department stores worldwide. With our expertise and large range of machinery we are capable of producing a wide variety of garments, both menswear and womenswear. We strive to provide our clients with the highest level of craftsmanship whether it’s a one-off sample or a large production order.

And more

If you would like to learn more about how to get the most out of working with a UK manufacturers, UKFT will be holding a seminar on 21st April in London. Contact info@ukft.org or visit ukft.org and sign up to our free newsletter to find out more.