Image: Panellists and Chairs from left to right: Junior Bishop, Clare Press, Tamara Cincik, Chair John McNally MP, Dominique Muller, Julia Roebuck, Maria Chenoweth. Credit Steve Watson.

Topic: Delivering a Sector Vision for the Fashion and Textile industry

Houses of Parliament, London, 22nd February 2024 // PRESS RELEASE

On the 22nd February 2024, Fashion Roundtable as Secretariat of the Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion All-Party Parliamentary Group delivered their sector vision for the fashion, textiles, manufacturing and retail industries to leading figures in the sector.

John McNally MP and Fashion Roundtable’s CEO, Tamara Cincik, chaired a poignant panel discussion about the future of the sector. Panellists included, Junior Bishop – a Zebedee Model and Advocate for Minority Groups; Clare Press – Fashion Roundtable’s Global Sustainability Expert, Author and Podcast Host of the Wardrobe Crisis; Julia Roebuck – Volunteer Director of Thread Republic (Mend Assembly Affiliate); Maria Chenoweth – Co-founder of Charity Super.Mkt; Dominique Muller from Labour Behind the Label. Talking points encompassed representation and inclusion; the effects of Artificial Intelligence on the modelling sector; the Creative Wellbeing Economy; Clare Press’s research on reimagining the sector; social prescribing and third-sector initiatives; the purposeful use of vacant spaces with the example of Charity Super.Mkt and worker rights.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Fashion Roundtable to share recommendations based on evidence from a number of key sector roundtables, an industry wide snap survey and meetings with stakeholders. Fashion Roundtable identified the following top-line issues with clear recommendations for each:

Restriction-free movement for UK talent who wish to work in Europe and a reduction in red tape for the transportation of goods between the UK and EU.
The UK committing to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to support the transition of the industry’s annual carbon footprint of 3.3 billion tonnes CO2e to Net Zero by 2050.
The reinstating of the VAT Retail Export Scheme with an estimated economy boost of £10bn a year according to current data.
Regenerating high streets to support UK businesses and protect local communities.
Greater support for on-shoring, a commitment to British made and a strengthening of public procurement.
Investment in UK manufacturing through consistent and secure orders.
Support for the UK as a place of decent work for garment workers.
Ratify the UNESCO Convention of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Return to STEAM education.
Initiatives for UK workers from working-class backgrounds to access training and employment in the creative industries.
Support for more inclusivity in the fashion sector.
Rejoining of the Erasmus + Programme.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and support of creative intellectual property (IP).
Food and fibre sovereignty.

Creative Wellbeing – Support for access to meaningful and rewarding work through a revaluing of craft, creativity, community, intersectionality and inclusivity.

Image: Chairs John McNally MP and Tamara Cincik. Credit Steve Watson.

Fashion Roundtable’s recommendations can be viewed here.

Fashion Roundtable also launched their Creative Wellbeing Economy paper, a living document which places people and planet in an interwoven symbiotic relationship: revaluing locality, creativity, and enhancing accessibility to transformative tools and opportunities as links in a newly formed chain of opportunity from cradle to grave.

Chair John McNally MP said:

“Once again the ESF APPG had a full attendance with a packed room of business representatives and academics alike. What was really interesting is the wider range of ages and diversity that attend, probably, the best attended APPG at Parliament.
“This APPG has provided so much information from the guest speakers and also the attendees who care deeply about this industry and how everyone engages with one another – it’s a pleasure to witness.
“The recommendations are there for everyone to read and understand how important the work that the Secretariat provides in pulling all this information together and to produce such a readable document.
“It is apparent that everyone who attends appreciates the effort, thought and expertise, and the knowledge in no small measure our professional Secretariat and guest speakers provide to all the attendees.”

Tamara Cincik, CEO, Fashion Roundtable said:

“I was delighted to deliver our sector vision in the build up to a General Election to the packed Parliamentary room filled with policy makers, industry leaders and academic experts. Our values and concerns are of paramount importance as politicians from across the political divide consider their manifesto pledges. We hope that our sector vision and key recommendations will help them to deliver those effectively and show understanding and commitment to our valuable sector and its stakeholders.”

Meg Pirie, Fashion Roundtable said:

"In writing these policy recommendations we have focused on long-term system’s change for the sector. The Creative Wellbeing Economy turns the 'growth-at-all-costs' paradigm on its head and reimagines something much deeper, that offers communities an opportunity to thrive outside of the current system. This focuses on long-term policies which put people and the planet first – valuing localism, food and fibre sovereignty, the preservation of cultural heritage and hyper-local placemaking. This is a living document and will forever evolve, but is the first step to a much-needed system's change within the fashion sector."

Notes to Editors:

The Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion All-Party Parliamentary Group was founded in 2020. The group brings together change-makers and experts in sustainability and ethics to explore ways in which the Government can support innovation within the fashion industry. More here.

Fashion Roundtable is the only think tank dedicated to reimagining a creative and responsible fashion industry. More here.

Creative Wellbeing Economy paper can be found here.

Delivering a Sector Vision Recommendations can be found here.

For more information please contact:

Meg Pirie – meg.pirie@fashionroundtable.co.uk

Fashion Roundtable as Secretariat of the Ethics and Sustainability All-Party Parliamentary Group brings leading figures in fashion together to discuss its future