The British Fashion Council Announces Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
PLUS: Fire destroys one of the world’s biggest secondhand clothes markets in Ghana
The British Fashion Council (BFC) have announced the appointment of Laura Weir as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 28th April 2025. Laura Weir succeeds the outgoing CEO, Caroline Rush CBE, who has led the business over the past 15 years.
Recognised as a leader in the global fashion industry, Laura Weir brings a knowledge of British designers, executive board level experience in retail and editorial industry leadership.
David Pemsel, BFC Chair said
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Weir as the incoming CEO of the BFC. Laura has worked alongside established and emerging designers, creative talent, industry leaders and press throughout her career over the past two decades. Her experience gives her an understanding of the complexities of the fashion industry ecosystem, and the strategic foresight to be able to lead positive transformation and initiatives to drive the next chapter of the BFC both domestically and globally, supported by a brilliant team.”
Laura Weir said
“I am honoured to lead the BFC’s next chapter at an exciting and pivotal time for the British fashion industry. I look forward to working with the BFC team to champion culture and creativity to catalyse growth for British fashion, both domestically and globally. I will focus on support for emerging and established designers and strengthening our pipeline of British creative talent.
The BFC will continue to deliver an enhanced international industry presence, and I look forward to forging partnerships with industry and government to future-proof the sector and its significant contribution to the British economy, while addressing critical challenges such as environmental responsibility, and prioritising representation and inclusion. It is a privilege to champion the diversity and ingenuity that defines British fashion, and to lead a mission which will inspire generations to come.”
In her new role, Laura will oversee the BFC, working with designers, industry partners and government bodies to further the organisation’s mission of championing British Fashion through pioneering its world class programmes that unlock and elevate creative talent. The not-for-profit is focused on; responsible growth through its engaged community that advocates for creativity and collectively supports the industry to grow and build opportunities for talent; innovation through the Institute of positive fashion and preparing businesses for positive change; and global amplification through London Fashion Week presented by 1664 Blanc and The Fashion Awards presented by Pandora.
Fire destroys one of the world’s biggest secondhand clothes markets
A huge clean up operation is taking place after a devastating fire broke out at Kantamanto Market in Ghana, out at one of the world’s biggest secondhand clothes markets. As much as two-thirds of the market has been destroyed and there are estimates that 8,000 people have been affected, though this number is expected to rise.
According to The Or Foundation, which campaigns against textile waste in Ghana, 15m secondhand garments from countries in the global north such as the UK, the US and China arrive at the market every week. The Kantamanto community is responsible for recirculating 25m pieces of secondhand clothing every month through resale, reuse, repair and remanufacturing
The Or Foundation has committed $1 million USD to emergency relief efforts.
Donate to The Or Foundation here
Read more: Vogue Business article: What the Kantamanto Market fire means for sustainable fashion
Happiness Reset with The Right Project, starting 10th January 2025.
The fashion industry is characterised by burnout. Long hours, ambitious targets, ever-expanding job roles, climate anxiety, looming regulations, dwindling resources - working in sustainable fashion makes you vulnerable to chronic stress from overwork.
The good news is that happiness is a skill that can be learned and nurtured. That’s why The Right Project have designed these happiness sessions with fashion professionals in mind, to help you manage a better work life balance
Join the The Right Project’s Happiness Reset for fashion professionals, launching this Friday 10th January 2025.
Over five weeks you will:
Develop practical techniques that can instantly boost happiness
Learn the latest science on gratitude, acceptance and more
Practice mindfulness and self-kindness exercises throughout
Work on inner enquiry, reflection and transformation
Create your own personalised happiness toolkit
Be guided through regular check-ins and habit building activities
Five Day Mend Assembly Retreat, South of France, 21st - 25th April 2025
Mend Assembly founder, Joss Whipple, is creating a new space for slow fashion practice to emerge in partnership with a special venue partner in the south of France, La Belle Eco.
A five day residential retreat, exploring wellbeing through individual and collective slow fashion practice.
Come and join pioneering experts, local knowledge keepers, and every day slow fashion heroes for this carefully curated five day residency, designed to transform personal and collective connection through an exploration of traditional textiles skills, localised slow fashion excursions, daily wellbeing practice, group and individual reflective sessions using the universal lens of clothing and textiles.
Participants will choose a personal project to make, inspired by customisable techniques, with a strong emphasis on hand work, using materials from an archive of exclusive vintage, reclaimed and sustainable materials, all selected from Joss’s private collection and personal sources. There will be options for all skill levels.
Also included will be an exclusive resource pack of inspirational materials and guidance on how to adapt and apply Mend Assembly’s methodology to your own wardrobe and within your community.
The Carry on Touring Campaign invites you to join the UK-EU Summit and lobby day, 28th January 2025
The Carry on Touring Campaign invites you to join the UK-EU Summit and lobby day on 28th January.
This high level Summit and Lobby day will take place 5 years after the TCA was signed and will look at why touring isn’t working in the UK and EU. We will hear from musicians, creatives and those on the frontline - who rely on touring to make a living - about the challenges they face and its impact on their ability to work freely.
Join the UK-EU Summit in Parliament and show your support for change to the post-Brexit requirements imposed on UK touring creatives and professionals..
The Carry On Touring campaign represents ‘frontline’ UK creatives - not just musicians - but all those who work across the touring, cultural and creative industries sector.
There is clear evidence that touring isn’t working with the number of tours drastically down on pre-Brexit levels. It is undeniable that there needs to be change - an exemption or waiver - to unlock this part of the economy in the UK and EU.
This high-level UK - EU Summit will provide an opportunity to hear from our supporters, touring artists and professionals, UK MPs, Peers - of all parties - and political leaders, from both the UK and EU, about the frontline impact and need for change to unlock this huge part of the economy.
Join on 28th January and listen to the real people, whose real lives and real jobs are affected. For further information and to find out what more you can do to help please contact Gill Morris gill@devoagency.co.uk
Environmental Sustainability in the Fashion Industry, the Geneva Environment Network
Fast fashion comes at an astonishing environmental and social cost. While the impacts of the fashion industry in terms of pollution, water use, carbon emissions, human rights, and gender inequality are increasing, the need for a shift to sustainable fashion is evident.
Organizations in Geneva and beyond are joining efforts to shift the fashion economy and foster international cooperation on the issue.
Check out the Geneva Environment Network for updates and more
Online: Webinar on the new General Product Safety Regulations with Heritage Crafts, 8th January 2025
The European Union General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has introduced new obligations for businesses selling products in the EU, with significant implications for small heritage crafts businesses, especially those who occasionally sell to EU customers.
To find out more about how these new regulations affect your business, join Heritage Craft’s webinar with Andrea Collins, an international trade specialist with over 25 years of experience, who founded The Export Department to support UK SMEs in expanding internationally.
Heritage Crafts is currently looking into possible collaborative strategies to help overcome these new regulatory burdens, but such solutions are complex. Heritage Crafts is also speaking to partner organisation to join forces in lobbying for exemptions or simplified rules for small businesses and occasional sellers. Simplified compliance pathways, such as self-certification for certain product categories, would help small craftspeople remain competitive