PRESS RELEASE - SHOWstudio X Fashion Roundtable: Front Row To Front Bench

RELEASED Thursday 3rd December

SHOWstudio x Fashion Roundtable: Front Row To Front Bench

Fashion Roundtable are pleased to announce that we have started our Front Row To Front Bench social media takeover of the SHOWstudio Instagram account, running from Tuesday 1st December - Monday 7th December, for 7 days with 7 themes. SHOWstudio are an award-winning fashion website, founded and directed by Nick Knight OBE, that has consistently pushed the boundaries of communicating fashion online with a reach of over 181,000. 

Over our seven day SHOWstudio social media take over, Fashion Roundtable are bringing together thought-leaders and changemakers to explore the challenges and issues facing the fashion sector, considering how policy can be a force for long-term positive change in an industry rife with exploitation, waste, underrepresentation and a lack of UK-based skilled work to sustain UK fashion businesses long term. 

Katharine Hamnett CBE, designer and activist said: “The only thing that has come from Brexit is that we have to politically engage, people have to call their elected representatives now, we have to tell them that unless they represent our views, we won’t vote for them next time. It’s the only thing that affects politicians’ behaviour: something that threatens their ability to be re-elected.”

Navjyot Lehl, from the leading EU-UK think tank UK in a Change Europe said: "Fashion has always been international. The thread in your jacket, the buttons on your shirt, the leather in your shoes, all come from different countries, and any outfit is composed of materials from numerous territories. And it’s not just clothes. Being part of a large trading block brings in the investment, talent and skills and EU funding which allows London to maintain its seat on the global fashion stage.

Dr Lisa Cameron MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles & Fashion said: "It was vital to re-establish the APPG for Textiles and Fashion, particularly mid-Brexit because the industry lacked a clear voice. It brings together cross-party politicians to collaborate with those in the industry and make sure their objectives are taken into account when policies are formed... I want to focus on mental health in the industry, along with disability, inclusion and sustainability. I'm also keen to bring attention to more young designers."

Fashion Roundtable are delighted to bring together its incredible network of activists, business owners, non-governmental organisations, charities and parliamentarians, including Labour Behind The Label, Traidcraft Exchange, Anti-Slavery International, Wardrobe Crisis’ Clare Press, Katharine Hamnett CBE, Baroness Young of Hornsey, John McNally MP, Eden Loweth from Art School, Zowie Broach from the RCA, Bethany Williams, Richard Malone, Orsola de Castro from Fashion Revolution, and more.

The thematic digital events will consist of Q&A’s, panel discussions, interviews and educational visuals, touching upon several themes include: Why Policy is Important for Fashion, Sustainability, Brexit and the Fashion Industry, The Future of Made in the UK, Creativity in Education, and Representation and Inclusion in the Fashion Industry. To find a full schedule of events occurring over the next week, please visit SHOWstudio.com

If you or the company you represent would like to talk more, please contact admin@fashionroundtable.co.uk

ENDS.

7 Themes presented on SHOWstudio

  • Front Row to Front Bench: Why is Policy Important for the Fashion Industry?

  • Fashion is a Global Conversation

  • Brexit and The Fashion Industry

  • The Future of Made in the UK

  • Fashion and Activism

  • Including Creativity in Education

  • Are You Represented?

Notes to Editors: Fashion Roundtable is fashion’s leading think tank. Our work improves people’s lives by influencing policy and outcomes. We collaborate with Government and Parliament, through our All-Party Parliamentary Groups, and across the public, private and third sectors to develop our policy ideas and strategies.

We work across the fashion and textiles industry, technology, innovation, education, skills and sustainability policy. Fashion Roundtable is the Secretariat for the only two APPGs which work with the fashion industry, allowing us a pivotal and powerful voice in the intersection between stakeholders and policy. The expertise, authority and credibility of our research and recommendations are key to who we are. Our research is independent and evidence-based and we share our ideas with stakeholders and parliamentarians from all sides of the political spectrum.

Press Release, 2020_7Tamara CincikSHOWstudio