What we'd like to see in tomorrow's Spring budget for fashion and textiles

Tomorrow marks the announcement of the Spring Budget and what many anticipate to be the last fiscal event before the general election, which we’re pegging for Autumn. As such, this might be the final opportunity for the Conservatives to set policies prior to an election.

After collating both qualitative and quantitative data over recent months, in time to share our Sector Vision in Parliament, we have been advocating for a number of sector recommendations which we have presented cross-party.

Our recommendations encompass many facets of the sector from farming through to academia and are focused on the long-term, however there are two recommendations that we’d like to see taken up immediately in tomorrow’s budget.

Click through for more.

Photo: Photo by Ugur Akdemir on Unsplash. Image of Westminster buildings.

2024, 2023Tamara CincikMarch 5, 2024VAT Retail Export Scheme, Tax Incentives, Spring Budget 2024

Op:Ed – Is Regenerative Fashion Possible?

Designer Harriet Fletcher-Gilhuys attended last week’s Conduit event: ‘Is Regenerative Fashion Possible?’ supported by the Farmer’s Footprint. Here she delves into the complexities and explores the panellists discussion exploring the transition to a fashion system that ultimately sets out to benefit nature and society.

Photo by Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash. Image shows farmer at work.

2024, 2023Tamara CincikMarch 5, 2024Regenerative fashion, natural dye, British wool, Fibre sovereignty

Disability designer Victoria Jenkins creates adaptive ballet costume for disabled dancer’s first Sadler’s Wells Performance

Disability advocate Victoria Jenkins, the creative force behind adaptive fashion brand Unhidden and Fashion Roundtable’s Representation and Inclusion Committee Co-Chair, has announced a transformative collaboration with icandance, a London-based charity that empowers disabled children and young people through dance and performance.

Victoria has over 14 years of experience in the fashion industry and starred on Channel 4’s Unique Boutique – a must-watch where inclusive fashion lovers and designers created bespoke outfits for every-body. Now, the visionary designer has created a bespoke ballet costume for 18-year-old wheelchair-using dancer, Denecia Allen. Denecia will wear the dress to perform with English National Ballet’s Alice Bellini at the Empower In Motion Gala at Sadler’s Wells in February.

2023Tamara CincikJanuary 30, 2024Victoria Jenkins, Adaptive Fashion, Adaptive Ballet Costume, Unhidden, icandance

We talk adaptive fashion with Victoria Jenkins

Meg Pirie in conversation with Victoria Jenkins.

Victoria Jenkins co-chairs our Representation and Inclusion Committee and is a garment technologist with 14 years of experience in the fashion industry who became Disabled in her 20s. She is behind the sustainable adaptive fashion brand Unhidden. The idea was born after a chance encounter with a woman with cancer that changed the course of her life. As she watched the woman during her own hospital stay, she realised that there were no adaptive clothes on the market and this is how Unhidden was born.

Now Victoria is listed as one of Vogue’s Top 25 Powerhouse Women, redefining Britain and co-presents and designs on Channel 4’s Unique Boutique. A must-watch where inclusive fashion lovers and designers create bespoke outfits for every-body in a custom-built shop.

We speak about future plans for a not-for-profit arm of Unhidden, training people with disabilities and chronic health conditions how to sew adaptive alterations so they can then work as and when they choose making adaptive alterations for any one who doesn't sew. There are also plans for workshops that will cover how to adapt clothing you already own yourself so there is no barrier to accessing adaptive clothing and re-loving your existing wardrobes.

Finally, Victoria shares her key policy asks to ultimately make fashion more inclusive.

[This is an image of Victoria Jenkins, wearing a royal blue power suit, standing in the street, with a sparkly mobility aid. Credit: Deb Burrows]

A high-level view of how AI could impact the future of fashion

According to figures by Fashion United, the fashion industry is worth around £1.65tn globally. Creativity is often upheld as a niche human quality, however, the rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI), risks eliminating a number of creative and fashion jobs. A paper prepared by PwC for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, predicts that technology threatens devastating job losses over the next 20 years in wholesale and retail; transport and logistics; and manufacturing. The report suggests that as many as 30% of UK jobs could disappear within this period. A high-level exploration of how AI is and could affect the fashion sector moving forward.

2023Tamara CincikOctober 6, 2023Artificial Intelligence, AI, ACID, Rebecca Arnold, IP, CMA, policy in fashion

Stephen Jones' latest collection 'Cymru' encapsulates Welsh heritage

Stephen Jones is perhaps one of the most influential milliners of our century, bursting onto the London fashion scene during the explosion of street style in the late seventies. Yet even today, Jones’s designs have retained their modern and compelling edge. At the forefront of fashion, Jones’ hats are exquisitely crafted and quixotic – all whilst encapsulating the mood of the moment. Jones’ latest collection could not have come at a better time, where young people are reportedly leaving Wales, particularly in Welsh speaking heartlands, this collection offers hope. Entitled ‘Cymru’ and cited as a ‘love letter to Wales’ I delve further into the haunting magic of this collection – from the reimagined Welsh ‘Het’ to the use of Dylan Thomas poetry – ensuing a sense of strength and pride in Jones’ Welsh heritage.

2023Tamara CincikSeptember 26, 2023Stephen Jones, millinery, british designer, hat designer, welsh, wales, heritage, cymru, bilingual, dylan thomas

Op-Ed: Fast-fashion brands are pummelling the whole point of the Barbie film: That’s Ken–ough!

Gerwig is by definition a feminist filmmaker and her characters are often transgressive and curious, rebelling against their suppressive environments (think Jo March!). Barbie is no exception. While it’s important to recognise that Mattel’s 60-year-old flagship doll has had a long and controversial history and in the past has been blamed for its unrealistic beauty standards, the propensity of the film exists to raise women, well, up. In this Op-Ed Meg Pirie explores the issue of fast-fashion brands capitalising on a feminist film and how this pummels the film’s entire meaning.

2023Tamara CincikAugust 3, 2023Barbie, Mattel, Margot Robbie, Greta Gerwig, Feminism, Diversity, Cleaning Up Fashion, Fast Fashion

When Tech And Fashion Come Full Circle

Last week, womenswear brand Mother of Pearl announced it would be joining forces with door-to-door repair and tailoring app SOJO, as part of the brands ongoing commitment to circularity. We hear from both women CEO’s on the collaboration and share a special offer for our newsletter subscribers.

Calling All Fashion Communicators: UNEP Launches Playbook And It's A Must-Read

A new Playbook by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) talks directly with fashion’s communicators. Written for marketers, brand managers, imagemakers, storytellers, media, influencers and beyond, ‘The Sustainable Fashion Communication Playbook’ from UNEP and UN Climate Change, provides a much needed framework when policies around how to communicate environmental claims increasingly come into force. We speak with Rachel Arthur, the UN Environment Programme’s Sustainable Fashion Advocacy Lead and author of the Playbook, who delves into the aim of the Playbook and the untapped power communicators hold in setting new cultural trends and value shifts for a more equitable and just fashion future.

In Conversation With Alden Wicker, Author Of 'To Dye For'

In her book, ‘To Dye For’, award-winning journalist and sustainability expert, Alden Wicker, decided to break the story of unregulated toxic chemicals in fashion and their impacts on health and wellbeing. What follows is a candid conversation, with clear advice on what we can do now.

2023Tamara CincikJuly 11, 2023toxic fashion, Alden Wicker, In Conversation, Dye, To Dye For

My Top 5 Books On Sustainable Fashion

Our researcher, Meg Pirie, has always loved to read and will often read a book to understand something better, before searching online. For this week’s informer she shares her top 5 books on sustainability and fashion. Click through to read more.

Trade Unlocked 2023: Bridging The Gap Between Business And Politics

Last week, Fashion Roundtable attended the Trade Unlocked conference. This was a brand new national conference that took place on the 20th June 2023, bridging the gap between the worlds of business and politics. Trade Unlocked created a high-profile platform for businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to give views on what they need from the UK government to get their business and the economy growing. Click through to read more and watch the full panel talk featuring our CEO Tamara Cincik.

The Department For Culture, Media and Sport Announce £77 Million Of Funding For The Creative Sector

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced the Government's plan to grow the creative industries by £50bn and support a million more jobs by 2030, with £77m of new funding for the sector announced.

2023Tamara CincikJune 19, 2023DCMS, Creative Industries, Funding, Economic Growth

Meg Pirie In Conversation With Simon Payne, Co-founder Of Sole Responsibility

Meg Pirie is in conversation with co-founder of Sole Responsibility, Simon Payne. Founded in 2014, Sole Responsibility is a business which buys, repairs and sells seconds and stock with minor damage from some of the UK’s most-known high-street stores, which would otherwise have been destined for landfill or incineration. Now the brand acts as Sustainable Partner to JD Sports, amongst others. They talk how the idea transpired and what Payne would like to see from a policy point of view for end-of-life.

2023Tamara CincikJune 13, 2023EPR, Extended Producer Responsibility, Policy, Sole Responsibility

Op-Ed: Was Vivienne Westwood the last of fashion’s fearless activists?

In this Op-Ed by Meg Pirie, she delves into what the fashion sector can learn from Westwood’s fearless activism. Can the business of fashion ever truly measure up? With comments by Kate Fletcher, Professor at the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen.

2023Tamara CincikJune 6, 2023Vivienne Westwood, Kate Fletcher, Activism, Sustainability, Degrowth

Our Impact In 2022 And What's Next

Last week, we launched our Impact Report for 2022. Fashion Roundtable have consistently been the first to address the challenges of Brexit; Covid-19; climate change; exploitative working practices; Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR); VAT reduction for sustainable businesses; issues around fibre and localism; and inclusion in fashion. We use our platform to highlight inequalities across the fashion industry and to effect long-lasting social, business and environmental change.

2023Tamara CincikMay 26, 2023impactreport2022, EPR, VAT Reduction, Wool, Policy

PRESS RELEASE: Fashion Roundtable Hosts Meeting With Parliamentary Labour Party About The Impacts Of Brexit And Poor Policy On British Fashion

On the 17th May 2023, Fashion Roundtable, along with Shadow Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, hosted a meeting with the Parliamentary Labour Party where industry leaders outlined the dire need for urgent action for the British fashion sector, which was at one time the fastest growing creative industry in the United Kingdom.

Fashion Roundtable Advises MPs On The Importance Of High-Street Regeneration

Last week, in our capacity as Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion, Fashion Roundtable hosted a jam-packed meeting on regenerating the high street, sponsored by academics from Manchester Metropolitan University and Metropolis.

The meeting entitled, ‘Building Community Agency Through The Purposeful Use Of Unused Retail Spaces,’ was in direct response to the state of our high streets at a national level. Research conducted by Fashion Roundtable, provided evidence that the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit, shifts to digital rather than ‘bricks and mortar’ shopping, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have changed consumer behaviour, alongside record retail closures.

A must-read, with quotes from speakers across the country and access to our full briefing.

The Vanishing High Street And Why Placemaking Is Key

“There's no doubt that the British High Street has taken a battering over the last few years. Not only have retailers had to contend with Covid, but Brexit and now the ongoing cost-of-living crisis have decimated the high street as we know it. In 2021, PWC reported that 17,500 chain stores closed in 2020 alone. Now with many high streets focused on recovery, consumers want something new. “

2023Tamara CincikMay 9, 2023placemaking, high street, prosumption, retail

A First Glimpse At Their Majesties' Coronation Robes

Ahead of Their Majesties' Coronation on Saturday the 6th May, new details have been released to provide a glimpse of the Coronation Robes to be worn by the King and The Queen Consort. The new images show the Royal School of Needlework’s embroidery team conserving The King’s Robe of State, which will be worn by His Majesty on arrival at Westminster Abbey, and The Queen Consort’s Robe of Estate, which will be worn after Her Majesty is crowned, on departure from Westminster Abbey.

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