Around-the-World Fashion Sourcing at One Venue
Fashion retailers and brands looking to diversify their sourcing map with designers and producers from around the globe only need to travel to one city to find them. London-based Source Fashion, Europe’s newest responsible sourcing show running July 16-18, 2023, features 300 exhibitors hailing from 30 countries. Source Fashion has already doubled in size from its February inaugural event, demonstrating demand for a show that vets all its exhibitors to validate all sustainability claims and make sure they align with the show’s “responsible sourcing” ethos.
“Thousands of buyers, sourcing, and procurement teams have already registered to attend knowing that Source Fashion is the only UK platform to offer such variety, assurance and newness,” said Suzanne Ellingham, sourcing director, Source Fashion.
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A gateway to manufacturers and suppliers from across the world, Source Fashion will feature raw materials, fabrics, trims, and packaging, all the way through to contract manufacturers offering in house design services. Overall, the show brings the inspiration and tools together in one exciting destination to bring new ranges to life.
Education and events
Beyond building relationships with existing and potential suppliers at their booths, attendees are encouraged to attend Source Fashion’s educational panels, where internationally renowned industry professionals discuss the latest trends and topics in sustainable fashion.
Zoe Bayliss-Wong, previously director of Depop, will be talking through real-life examples from businesses who are moving beyond sustainability, proving that not only can regenerative product development can be profitable, but it’s a commercial reality and not a future concept.
To see sustainable fashion up close, don’t miss Source Catwalk—Source Fashion’s sustainable fashion show. In this dynamic catwalk, artisans bring womenswear garments made exclusively for the event to life, showing that sustainable fashion should never compromise on style.
International regions grow
As brands and retailers grow their supplier base, the show’s own “sourcing map” continues to expand, welcoming manufacturers, designers, artisans, and producers from varied manufacturing regions. Artisans are not only skilled in their respective countries’ traditional designs, using local and natural ingredients when possible, but they are also experts in adapting to international fashion trends and modern sensibilities.
Source Fashion is proud of the sourcing diversity at the event. “We are extremely excited to be welcoming manufacturers, designers, artisans and producers from new regions including Ethiopia and the Philippines to the July show,” said Ellingham.
In a UK first, Source Fashion’s new Ethiopian pavilion will feature eight exhibitors, including Demka Group, producers of sustainably produced high-end garments, collection-based brands, active and corporate garments; Isabella Socks Manufacturing, with over 50 years’ experience manufacturing socks and tights plus Oeko-Tex, GOTS, and Naturaline certification; Hela Apparel Holdings, which provides sustainable and ethical supply chain solutions to leading global apparel brands, from design to delivery, in intimatewear, sportswear and kidswear; Atraco which provides a value-added supply chain to U.S. and European customers; large-scale green textile enterprise JP Textile, which features clean energy from hydropower during production; and Sunshine Ethiopia Wool Textile PLC, invested by Jiangsu Sunshine Group China which is a leading manufacturer of high-quality wool fabric and suits.
Fairs and More Inc, a subsidiary of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), will be exhibiting Filipino fashion in the UK for the first time, featuring the forward-thinking nature of the region’s producers and artisans. Expect vibrant colors and intricate designs mixed into traditional fabrics, embroidery and patterns, all blended with modern fashion trends.
Artisanat Handmade creates timeless staples plus resort wear and swimwear; clothing brand Lin-Ay by Binky Pitogo offers contemporary Filipiniana designs, infusing modernity to the Philippine National costume (the brand’s mission empowers and gives job opportunities to women, promoting sustainability by sourcing fabrics from weaving communities, local artisan sewers and embroiderers). Meanwhile, Orient Meadow Export Corporation, offers straw hats and bags, craft and home décor using the Philippines’ natural, abundant and biodegradable raw materials (abaca, buntal, sabutan, rafia, rattan, buri, pandan, and tinalac).
Beyond Ethiopia and the Philippines, the Madagascan pavilion features five well-established, responsibly focused Malagasy manufacturers, showing handcrafted ethical accessories from Anaka, upcycled clothing for babies and kids from Azala, and knitwear by UltraMaille.
Looking to the Middle East, the Jordan pavilion returns to the show, showcasing modest clothing from Ahmad Qadri Trading Co and Partners, Al-Hour Alein, FH Modest Fashion, Noorway, Tello, and Zaid Mushaki.
European show attendees looking for European artisans can explore the large representation from Portugal spotlighting nearshoring, high-quality textile production, flexible MOQs, and highly sustainable manufacturing, as well as exhibitors from the UK, Lithuania, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Italy and Romania.
Source Fashion takes place on July 16-18, 2023 at London Olympia. For more information, click here.
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