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. Click through for more.

On the 30th January 2024, Fashion Roundtable, along with Shadow Minister for Creative Industries and Digital, Sir Chris Bryant, hosted a roundtable with the Parliamentary Labour Party where industry leaders outlined the opportunities and challenges faced by the British fashion sector. 

The Carry On Touring campaign is fighting to to secure an exemption or provision for those ‘on tour’ who, now we have left the EU, will be required to obtain work permits in each European country they visit.

Yesterday, ASOS announced its chief executive is leaving the company - news that saw its share price tumble by 15% in early trading. But there is another story taking hold at the company, which has widespread implications for the post-Brexit retail climate: ASOS are creating 52 jobs in Northern Ireland by early 2022, and 184 jobs by 2024.

In less than a century, the bustling network of 217 mills spread across Wales has drastically diminished to just 8 mills. The closure of the global markets due to Covid restrictions has now resulted in a 50 per cent decline in wool auction prices. For many, the costs of shearing the sheep, packing and shipping the fleeces has far outweighed their financial return. Consequently, wool has either been composted, or burned. Here we explore how the Welsh woollen industry— with the right support— offers huge potential. As a sustainable, luxury product, it can be produced entirely in this country, creating much-needed jobs for local communities and financial return to the economy.

A formal meeting (oral evidence session) was held by Government about EU visa arrangements for creative workers. Tamara Cincik, Fashion Roundtable's Founder and CEO, outlined the challenges of working within the EU following the post-Brexit trade deal at this session hosted by the DCMS Select Committee.

Small businesses have faced myriad issues since Brexit — from shipping delays, to a dramatic rise in shipping costs and mountainous paperwork. A key issue is that any goods now entering the EU must satisfy rules of origin requirements. This problem is pertinent to the fashion and textiles industry, as goods incorporate inputs from multiple origins. These issues and costs alike have meant that many small businesses are now considering setting up distributing centres in the EU, at the cost of UK jobs and loss of taxes to our economy, which is entirely averse to Brexit’s goal.

“I couldn’t have picked a worse time to apply for citizenship. The global pandemic caused a huge setback in all bureaucratic procedures and the new measures made me feel that I would never progress to the next step. After applying for my settled status almost two years ago, I had to wait for another 12 months to start the process. Back then, the idea of Brexit seemed like a faint and distant prospect.” writes Desislava Todorova.

Eden Loweth, Creative Director Art School: “This important paper highlighting and dissecting the impact of Brexit to our industry is a vital next step in recommending and realising real and important change within government policy. The effects of Brexit to emerging and small businesses like myself has been huge; Fashion Roundtable’s dynamic and fast response in highlighting these issues once again shows how important their work is to our industry.”

Sarah Reygate, Make-Up Artist for the Fashion and Music Industry: “As with many of my colleagues, my work has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. A lot of work comes from Paris. If I now have to organise work contracts and visas for each trip I am likely to lose that work to local based talent in Paris. The Government needs to commit to frictionless work travel for all creatives for the UK based fashion and music industry to continue to be a world leading industry.”

Tamara Cincik, CEO Fashion Roundtable: “What is taking the Government so long to answer our urgent request for a meeting? We understand there is a pandemic, but the Government has met with our colleagues in the music industry since signing the Brexit deal and we urge them to meet with us as well. Delays and silence are not a way forward for business certainty. This silence from the Government is deeply concerning and I hope that they commit to meeting with our stakeholders in the coming days, as they already have with our colleagues in the music industry. We urge them to show the same levels of concern and support for all aspects of business, creative industries and export brands.”

We are currently collating names of signatories for our open letter to the Government regarding Brexit and the UK fashion industry. Please sign by emailing Sarah at Fashion Roundtable with confirmation of your name and job title.

Please see below relevant updates for your businesses/members and supply chains including your EU workforce, trading partners, and hauliers.

From styling to illustration and fashion design, Desislava Todorova speaks to three young creatives about how our imminent departure from the EU is affecting their work; and how they imagine life in the UK post-Brexit.

The UK-US trade agreement is going to be vital for our sector's global survival if we see a Brexit agreement which limits our access to the all important EU markets of Paris and Milan.

The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year. Take action now to get ready for new rules from January 2021.

There are under 100 days to go until the United Kingdom leaves the Single Market and the Customs Union and businesses, citizens and Government need to prepare.