Sector Vision Meets General Election
Fashion Roundtable's Policy Recommendations for the General Election
As the UK approaches a pivotal general election, the future of the fashion industry hangs in the balance. Political decisions made now will significantly impact economic growth, sustainability, and social justice. Fashion Roundtable advocates for policy changes to transform the fashion industry into a model of sustainability, inclusivity, and economic resilience.
1. Restriction-Free Movement for UK Talent We advocate for frictionless travel and reduced red tape for fashion creatives between the UK and EU. This includes bilateral agreements and cabotage exemptions.
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) The UK must include fashion and textiles in its EPR framework to reduce the industry's carbon footprint and achieve Net Zero by 2050.
3. Reinstating the VAT Retail Export Scheme Reinstating the VAT Retail Export Scheme could boost the economy by £10bn annually, making UK shopping attractive to international tourists.
4. Regenerating High Streets We recommend amending Section 172 of the Companies Act to prioritize workers, customers, and environmental protection, revitalizing high streets.
5. Greater Support for On-Shoring and British Made We call for greater support for on-shoring, adding garment workers to the Shortage Occupation List, and tax incentives for socially and environmentally positive companies.
6. Ethical Work Conditions for Garment Workers Ensuring decent work conditions is vital. We advocate for a single enforcement body to monitor worker rights and establish a Garment Fair Purchasing regulator.
7. Inclusivity in the Fashion Sector We support initiatives for inclusivity, such as apprenticeships and internships for people with disabilities, and policies like the European Accessibility Act.
8. Support for Creative Wellbeing We propose a Creative Wellbeing Economy valuing craft, creativity, community, and inclusivity, redefining success and supporting meaningful work.
Labour’s "Plan to Make Work Pay" aligns with many of our goals but needs more clarity on benefits for the fashion industry. We await detailed commitments from other parties. Fashion Roundtable urges all political parties to adopt these recommendations for a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future for UK fashion. Together, we can lead in creativity, ethical practices, and environmental responsibility.
British Fashion Council & 1664 Blanc open up London Fashion Week to the public with a line up of curated panel talks
London Fashion Week and 1664 Blanc have announce a line up of four exclusive panel talks that are open to the public this June.
This season, the British Fashion Council is taking over the ICA with an exhibition to celebrate LFW, its 40th anniversary and some of the cultures that make a rich and significant contribution to the British fashion industry.
The three cultures informing this year’s exhibitions are Black culture centred around self-love, South Asian culture with focus on pattern, textile and craftsmanship and queer culture, with a spotlight on young creative voices from the trans+ community.
Hosted by Maliha Shoaib, Diversity Journalist for Vogue Business with artist and performer Darkwah, writer and creative Simran Randhawa and Lea Ogunlami, presenter at i-D.
Centred on personal experiences, this conversation will discuss challenges within the industry and present suggestions on how individuals can create positive change.
How to create, build and sustain a fashion brand in an ever-evolving environment
Led by Victoria Moss, Fashion Director at Evening Standard, speaking to fashion designers Charlie Casely-Hayford and Rejina Pyo.
The panellists will be looking at the importance in spotlighting young talent from all backgrounds, how their individual heritages have shaped their work and what it takes to stand the test of time in the industry
Are we going far enough? Performative Activism In the Fashion Industry
Hosted by Kemi Alemoru, Culture Journalist for BBC, Dazed and Vogue, with model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, model James Corbin and disability campaigner Victoria Jenkins.
This conversation will highlight the issue of performative activism in the creative industries, offering an insight into personal experiences on working inclusively and exploring equality.Â
Charles Jeffrey in conversation with Raven Smith
Designer Charles Jeffrey, who is celebrating a decade of his iconic brand Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY with a show and exhibition this LFW, will be speaking to Vogue columnist Raven Smith about experiences within the industry as a young, Scottish creative and how the fashion landscape has developed over the course of the last ten years.
Event: Slow Style Weekender, Stoke Newington 7-9th June 2024
The 3 day Slow Style Weekender is a collaboration of Lisa @thehackneywardrobe and Mia @spin-preloved. As sustainable style advocates, they have been selling vintage and preloved for over 15 years. Â
Lisa & Mia wanted to create a real purpose for this Pop Up and so have carefully selected a group of female-led, sustainable style businesses which will include vintage, pre-loved, jewellery, kids, homeware and embroidery kits (w pop up workshop).
As part of creating a social event whilst reinforcing the message, there will also be a panel talk with four speakers from style and mentorship background to discuss the positive impact of slow style female businesses in the community. The Mayor of Hackney will also be attending the Panel Talk
Speakers:
Gemma Metheringham - ex Creative Director of Karen Millen now leading advocate and lecturer on Sustainable Fashion, Lucy Kebbel - former Harpers Bazarr stylist now sustainable style business coach, Fay Cannings - founder of Seekd, an umbrella brand for a range of sustainable & ethical jewellery and Bex Cowshall - co-founder of MWB a creative community group who support each others business ideas and gain financial support.Â
Fashion Sector Exchange, UN Global Compact x Fashion Roundtable: Tuesday 2nd July 2024
10% of global COâ‚‚ emissions are attributed to the fashion industry. In the UK alone, one million tonnes of textiles are disposed of every year. Garment workers across the world systemically earn below a living wage, and modern slavery is rife within supply chains. When it comes to sustainability, the fashion sector continues to lag. To catch up with other sectors, businesses need support to anticipate changing regulations and adapt effectively. Yet the ever-changing ESG landscape and new reporting requirements mean businesses lack the necessary time and funding to act.
The Fashion Sector Exchange is an opportunity to mobilise key stakeholders across the fashion industry for the Business Sector Exchanges. Attendees will join business, government, academia, and civil society representatives to gain a better understanding of current sustainability issues, hear best practices from businesses that are ahead of the curve, and inspire action through networking with peers.
Gain a better understanding of current sustainability issues, hear best practices from businesses that are ahead of the curve, and inspire action through networking with peers as we discuss:
Slow vs fast fashion
Disruption in supply chains
What’s next in sustainable fashion
Speakers include: Tamara Cincik (Founder & CEO of Fashion Roundtable), Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey OBE, Patrick Grant (Community Clothing), Rachel Arthur (UN Environment Programme), Megan Shearer (Monica Vinader Ltd), Bex Hall (Sedex) and more!
Event: Everyone Needs Pockets, 14th June in Frome, Somerset
A summer get together with talks, haberdashery and textile swaps hosted by Everyone Needs Pockets, in Frome in Somerset. Everyone Needs Pockets is a growing network of 150+ makers, designers, stitchers, knitters, sustainable fashion fans and researchers.
This year's speakers are Tamara Cincik and Katherine Symonds-Moore.
Tamara Cincik, Founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable, the leading think tank for the fashion industry and professor of Fashion and Sustainability at Bath Spa University, the new National Centre for Fashion and Sustainability which will lead on regenerative and radical solutions and business practice.
Katherine Symonds-Moore is a sustainability specialist who was head of sustainability for the London Olympic Games and will share her experience of working with brands such as Chanel supporting them to build and strengthen their corporate responsibility strategies.