Building a Future for Fashion: Constructive Engagement for Policy and Education Reform
Image: Invest 2035 Strategy Source: UK Government
As an organisation dedicated to the intersection of policy and the creative industries, Fashion Roundtable recently engaged with two pivotal government reviews: the Industrial Strategy consultation, Invest 2035, and the national Curriculum and Assessment Review. Both initiatives are aimed at shaping the UK's future economy and education system, and our responses reflect the collective expertise and aspirations of the fashion sector. This article explores our contributions, the policies we champion, and the broader significance of constructive engagement for meaningful reform.
Why These Reviews Matter
The Invest 2035 strategy sets out the UK government’s ambitious 10-year plan to stimulate growth, remove barriers to investment, and establish leadership in high-growth sectors like clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and the creative industries. Fashion, as a cornerstone of the UK’s cultural and economic identity, contributes over £109 billion annually and supports 714,000 jobs. Yet, systemic challenges—ranging from trade barriers to talent shortages—threaten its global competitiveness.
Meanwhile, the Curriculum and Assessment Review aims to overhaul the education system, ensuring it equips young people with the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing world. For the fashion industry, this is an opportunity to advocate for education pathways that inspire creativity, address skills gaps, and promote inclusivity.
Our Submission to Invest 2035
Fashion Roundtable’s response to the Industrial Strategy consultation emphasised the sector’s potential to drive sustainable growth while addressing systemic barriers. Here are the key themes we highlighted:
1. Prioritising Creative Industries
We underscored the fashion sector’s unique position as both a cultural export and an economic engine. By investing in fashion manufacturing, digital innovation, and sustainable practices, the UK can strengthen its competitive edge. The government’s focus on eight growth-driving sectors must explicitly recognise the transformative potential of creative industries.
2. Supporting SMEs
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of the fashion sector, yet they face outsized challenges, particularly post-Brexit. We recommended targeted support, including simplified customs processes, export hubs, and funding mechanisms to help SMEs navigate complex trade landscapes.
3. Embedding Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Aligning with global benchmarks like the EU’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, we urged the government to incentivise circular economy initiatives and sustainable manufacturing. These measures would not only reduce waste but also position the UK as a leader in ethical fashion.
4. Addressing Talent Gaps
The creative industries rely on a pipeline of skilled professionals, yet Brexit and restrictive visa policies have exacerbated talent shortages. Our submission called for a renewed focus on international collaboration, streamlined visa pathways, and investment in domestic skills development through apprenticeships and vocational training.
Influencing Education Reform
The Curriculum and Assessment Review offered another critical avenue for engagement. At Fashion Roundtable, we believe that education must reflect the needs of industries while nurturing the creativity and inclusivity that underpin innovation. Here’s how our submission addressed these goals:
1. Reintegrating Creative Subjects
The marginalisation of creative disciplines—particularly in state schools—has had far-reaching consequences. Since 2010, GCSE entries in creative subjects have fallen by nearly 50%. We advocated for the reintroduction of creative subjects into the core curriculum, emphasising their role in fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional resilience.
2. Embracing a STEAM Approach
Shifting from a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focus to a STEAM model that incorporates the Arts would better prepare students for multidisciplinary challenges. Innovation thrives at the intersection of creativity and technical expertise, and our education system should reflect this reality.
3. Tackling Inequalities
Socioeconomic barriers often limit access to creative education. From high material costs to the exclusion of disadvantaged students from opportunities like internships, these systemic inequities perpetuate a lack of diversity in the creative industries. Our recommendations included grants for materials, contextual admissions policies, and outreach programmes to underrepresented communities.
4. Reforming Assessment Systems
Traditional exams fail to capture the breadth of talent and creativity required in industries like fashion. We proposed greater emphasis on portfolio-based assessments, project work, and vocational qualifications to create a more inclusive and relevant evaluation system.
The Role of Constructive Engagement
Engaging with these government reviews is about more than influencing policy—it’s about amplifying the voices of those who drive the fashion industry. Our contributions reflect a shared vision for a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive sector.
Constructive engagement requires collaboration across sectors, from industry leaders to educators and policymakers. It’s an opportunity to align diverse perspectives towards common goals, whether it’s removing barriers for SMEs or rethinking how young people are prepared for future careers. Through initiatives like All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and our own policy work, Fashion Roundtable continues to advocate for reforms that reflect the aspirations of our industry and its stakeholders.
A Vision for the Future
The future of fashion depends on our ability to adapt and innovate. Policy reforms in industrial strategy and education are vital to this process, but they must be informed by the realities of those they impact. By contributing to these reviews, we aim to shape a framework where creativity, sustainability, and inclusivity are not just ideals but actionable priorities.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that constructive engagement will remain central to our work at Fashion Roundtable. Together, we can build an industry—and a society—that values not only economic success but also cultural enrichment and social equity. And that’s a vision worth striving for.