A 2023 poll by YouGov found that only seven percent of office workers wear a suit. There is a perception that formalwear is now reserved for family gatherings like weddings and funerals. Yet today’s millennial generation favours a more informal approach to even the most serious family occasions, too.

Fashion Roundtable, the think tank dedicated to reimagining a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable fashion sector, released its "Fashion and Economic Value Report 2024". The report urges political parties to consider its findings in their policy frameworks ahead of the general election.

In this episode of the Wardrobe Crisis podcast, host Clare Press talks to Tamara Cincik, professor of fashion and sustainability at Bath Spa University at the UK’s National Centre for Sustainable Fashion, based at the university.

The UK’s general election is moving swiftly upon us. With a shorter time frame than initially expected, national retail organisations are clamouring to get their requests publicly pushed out to ensure their calls for change are heard.

Predictably, the general election seems to have got stuck in men-shouting-at-each-other mode, rather than any concrete ideas on policy. The poor old fashion industry, so often overlooked in spite of its not insubstantial contributions — ie, the £28.9 billion it adds to the UK economy — could certainly do with some manifesto promises.

Fashion Roundtable, the think tank dedicated to reimagining a responsible, inclusive, and sustainable fashion sector, released its "Fashion and Economic Value Report 2024". The report urges political parties to consider its findings in their policy frameworks ahead of the general election.

Predictably, the general election seems to have got stuck in men-shouting-at-each-other mode, rather than any concrete ideas on policy. The poor old fashion industry, so often overlooked in spite of its not insubstantial contributions — ie, the £28.9 billion it adds to the UK economy — could certainly do with some manifesto promises.

Layoffs have swollen the freelancer pool, and late payment and burnout culture are rife. Two talent platforms are hoping to change mindsets.

Rishi Sunak announced yesterday that the next general election will take place on 4 July. In response, TheIndustry.fashion speaks with fashion trade associations and think tanks to find out what the industry wants to see, whether the UK has a change of government or not.

Fashion creatives in the UK are joining forces for the first time under a newly developed union branch. It will take committment and collaboration to make it work.

An evidence meeting for the UK’s Environmental Audit Committee showed the danger of leaving fashion businesses to their own devices on sustainability. What now?

The British Fashion Industry has lost it's shine since Brexit

In response to France’s lower house of parliament voting to ban fast fashion advertising and tax fast fashion items, TheIndustry.fashion speaks with senior industry players to examine the likelihood of similar legislation at home, and how to make it as responsible and effective as possible.

Fashion brands are in hot water following a report claiming 46% of them continue to benefit from using forced labour in their supply chains.

At the inaugural Regenerative Fashion Conference, in London, speakers painted a radical vision for overhauling fashion supply chains.

SAG-AFTRA strikes are in their fourth week, and stylists are unionising for the first time. The moves call attention to the similarities of modelling’s pitfalls.

Many fashion businesses trying to reduce their carbon footprints amid the spiralling climate crisis are buying offsets to help reach their goals. Drapers investigates this controversial practice.

Could Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, and Vivienne Westwood kickstart a career in today’s climate? And what do we lose when our most confrontational talents can’t survive the fashion system?

Laura Gibson, head of sustainability at data-driven supply chain solution specialist Core, and leader of its sustainability platform Leaf, reveals her key takeaways from March’s Drapers Sustainable Fashion conference, and how these challenges and opportunities impact the wider industry.

Ambitious plans are afoot across Europe to force brands to pay a share of the cost of dealing with the mountains of clothes we throw away — but Britain is dragging its feet

Low prices and aggressive marketing have made Shein billions – but at what cost?

Three years on, Brexit is still impacting both U.K. and Europe-based brands in luxury fashion. Niche and young brands, in particular, are having a hard time with the fallout, though many have secured manageable workarounds.

Many fashion businesses trying to reduce their carbon footprints amid the spiralling climate crisis are buying offsets to help reach their goals. Drapers investigates this controversial practice.

Other industries have a long and storied history with lobbying, but fashion has been lagging behind, experts say, widening the gap between industry players and policymakers. There’s still time to change that.

Peek under the surface of ‘sustainable’ fashion’s sleek new vegan veneer and its ethical credentials are not what they seem

What some are calling 'a significant step toward accountability' for fast fashion brands, others say is lip service and an inadequate approach to supporting waste-management efforts in communities deeply impacted by textile waste.

The European Commission has taken mass consumption to task by proposing new rules for product quality. Moving forward, all clothes, furniture and smartphones sold within Europe will need to be demonstrably longer-lasting and simpler to repair. The latest additions build on existing Ecodesign rules, which have generated significant energy and consumer savings in the E.U.

Amazon.com Inc will stop accepting Visa Inc credit cards issued in the United Kingdom from next year because of the high transaction fees charged by the payment processor, the e-commerce giant said on Wednesday.

He campaigned for and implemented Brexit, ended tax-free shopping for tourists and led a rocky path through Covid-19. British fashion executives tell Vogue Business what they need now as Johnson’s replacements line up after today’s resignation.

The fashion industry creates around 10 per cent of humanity’s global greenhouse gas emissions, and has the fifth largest carbon footprint of any industry, according to the World Economic Forum.

From gender equality to youth empowerment, from job creation to climate action, from innovation to education, the $2.4trillion global fashion industry is still seen by many as entertainment.

The Prince of Wales Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Camilla yesterday had a taste of African and European fashion at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali.

Watch back our live event on fast fashion and the climate crisis with Roberta Annan, Tamara Cincik and George Harding-Rolls, hosted by Louise Boyle

Since leaving the EU, the UK has maintained many of its trade relationships through various mechanisms that quickly replicate existing trade agreements countries have with the EU. But a fully independent UK is now developing its own trade strategy. The UK’s ‘new’ free trade agreements have thus far focused on Australasia and the Pacific rim, but trade negotiations with the US and India are ongoing, and there’s hope for an agreement with the GCC on the horizon

The EU has developed a strategy for sustainable and circular textiles. Experts say it is a strong starting point, but social impact should be core to sustainability legislation.

The EU is cracking down, but how does that affect your shopping habits?

The European Commission has taken mass consumption to task by proposing new rules for product quality. Moving forward, all clothes, furniture and smartphones sold within Europe will need to be demonstrably longer-lasting and simpler to repair. The latest additions build on existing Ecodesign rules, which have generated significant energy and consumer savings in the E.U.

Clothes, furniture and smartphones sold in Europe must be longer-lasting and easier to repair under new rules proposed by the European Union.

Fashion brands globally are rallying to provide long-term, meaningful employment for fleeing Ukrainians. It’s laudable – and could offer lessons to be replicated for other refugees.

UK clothing and lifestyle brand Joules is terminating some of its wholesale agreements with stockists in the European Union. Drapers explores who else is following suit, and what the implications are.

There has been a clear increase in costs, paperwork and border delays in the UK since Brexit, according to a key report by a House of Commons committee.

Working in fashion means the professional monetisation of mystery and for many industry insiders constructing fantasy is just another day at the office. The impossible is always possible and no is never an answer. But when you spend your days firing up the smoke machines and angling the mirrors that create these dream worlds – and you likely grew up dreaming of entering this world yourself – separating fact from fiction can be complicated.

Britain’s economic and cultural prowess is suffering due to post-Brexit tax changes, reports Sascha Lavin

In 2022 creating a business in the United Kingdom will be an act of bravery

Public sector organisations in the UK were given the ability to reserve procurements for suppliers taking into account characteristics such as their location, size or whether they are social enterprises. A Procurement Policy Note said contracts for goods and services and works under certain thresholds would have additional freedoms to “tackle economic inequality, create new businesses, jobs and skills, as well as increasing supply chain resilience, encouraging entrepreneurship, and attracting new entrants to government markets”.

The grace period with the EU is over – and French fashion in particular might be harder to access

What the government once called teething problems have now become a chronic condition

As Christmas approaches, you might be thinking about what to wear to your one party that hasn't been cancelled. But if you're eyeing up something sequinned - revelling in the opportunity to be a human disco ball for one night of the year - you might want to hit pause instead of 'add to basket'.

Sir Graham Brady gives some hope that the Government is powerless to extend restrictions on our freedoms. The ridiculous rules rushed out last week leave carol singing in packed pubs acceptable but carol singing in churches restricted. Going to the office to work is discouraged, but parties at work are apparently acceptable....

Tamara Cincik is the founder of Fashion Roundtable, a think tank with a mission to build a bridge between the fashion industry and government.

I hope that in years to come we’ll look back at this toxic culture as a thing of the past. In the meantime, I’ll keep talking.’ says Caroline Noakes

Good news: think tank and policy consultancy, Fashion Roundtable, has listed five ways the fashion industry can reform its business practices to be more sustainable. They laid out the five action items in an open letter, addressing the world leaders at the COP26 Conference in Glasgow which centres around addressing the critical concerns regarding climate change with awareness, solutions, and actions. Fashion Roundtable used this opportunity to include the fashion industry in the climate change discourse with the backing of eco-conscious companies, like Eco-Age, the Centre for Sustainable Fashion, and The Sustainable Angle.

With COP26 coming to an end, we continue to discuss fashion’s role and impact on the climate crisis disproportionally affecting countries outside of the West, female workers and indigenous communities. With legislations in Sweden, as well as globally, politicians, world-leaders and governments can create a huge impact on the future of the industry.

With the knowledge that textile production contributes to 1.35% of global oil production, fashion’s seismic climate footprint is often overlooked by global policymakers and regulators. During the second week of COP26, the industry’s ecosystem of stakeholders including brands, suppliers, retailers and NGOs have combined forces to call for a trade policy to incentivise the use of environmentally preferred materials.

As the world’s leaders come together for the ongoing United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), members of the fashion industry have united to call on the leaders to make a number of commitments addressing climate issues.

As COP26 kickstarts, fashion's sustainability advocates are expecting world leaders to recognize the scale and impact of fashion, support the industry's green innovators and better regulate the rest with taxes and penalties.

Fashion Roundtable, Fashion Revolution, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, Common Objective, Eco-Age, and The Sustainable Angle, along with leading fashion brands and fashion sustainability advocates unite with a call to action for COP26, to stress the urgent need for the world’s leaders to recognise the impactful role fashion can play in reaching net zero and climate goals.

The fashion industry has united with a call to action for COP26, to stress the urgent need for the world’s leaders to recognise the impactful role fashion can play in reaching net zero and climate goals.

Fashion Revolution and Fashion Roundtable among many others join forces to stress the impactful role fashion can play in reaching net-zero and climate goals.

More than 50 fashion industry initiatives, brands and other stakeholders have come together to call on the COP26 summit to recognise the role that fashion can play in mitigating climate change. Organisations, including Fashion Roundtable, Fashion Revolution, Centre for Sustainable Fashion, Common Objective, Eco-Age and The Sustainable Angle, have penned an open letter to world leaders ahead of COP26. The letter highlights the integral role and impact which the signatories believe the fashion industry can play in addressing net zero and climate change goals.

The fashion industry has warned it faces severe talent shortages after a government advisory body rejected its plea to offer more visas to foreign workers.

Some Black creatives say they’re worried the industry is already moving on from its recent focus on racial injustice, leaving them to carry the load.

UK clothing manufacturers are desperately searching for skilled garment workers as the fallout from coronavirus and Brexit bites.

Lady Amelia Windsor is one very cool dresser! The stunning royal - who is currently 42nd in the line of succession to the throne - has been sharing some dazzling outfits with her legions of Instagram fans, and her latest look is pretty epic.

Small and medium-sized businesses make up 99.68% of Britain’s £35 billion fashion industry, but over six months on from the UK’s exit from the European Union – and with the pandemic having dominated the headlines, how are female founders faring?

The British fashion industry fails the inclusiveness test. This is decreed by the report 'Representation and inclusion in the fashion industry', just published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion , which has drawn a picture that is still far from the diversity objectives that the system has set itself for some time.

A new report has found that 68% of people have experienced or witnessed discrimination based on appearance or beliefs in the fashion industry.

Faced with the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, the fashion world is committed to change. But what about a year later? A new British study points out that "discrimination is ubiquitous in the fashion industry".

Faced with the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, the fashion industry pledged to change. So where do things stand a year down the line? A new British study sadly reveals that “discrimination pervades in the fashion industry.”

The retail industry has accused the government of failing to act on the exploitation of UK garment workers.

Exclusive: Demand for better wages comes after 8th anniversary of Rana Plaza garment factory disaster in India

Exploited garment factory workers in the UK have been denied £27m in lost earnings since July, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

A quarter of British fashion companies have considered relocating all or part of their business, and nearly 60 percent see the country’s reputation as a fashion hub negatively impacted as a result of Brexit, according to a survey of about 200 industry stakeholders including designers, business leaders and creatives conducted in January and February by industry advocacy group Fashion Roundtable.

The third issue of Platform spotlights aspiring young artists on a national level in partnership with Fashion Academics Creating Equality.

Lady Amelia Windsor did some spring cleaning for a good cause. The 25-year-old, who is often dubbed Britain’s "most beautiful royal," recently put up some of her "pre loved items" from her wardrobe for sale on DePop, a social shopping app based in London.

JW Anderson drops the sunglasses of the summer and you can dress just like Lady Gaga (for a charitable cause)

Discrimination and under-representation continues to pervade the UK fashion industry – a new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion (T&F APPG) reveals.

A new report called Cleaning Up Fashion urges the Government to amplify sustainability in action, recognising and supporting the work of pioneers and putting an end to exploitation and environmental harm.

The United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion (ESF APPG) recently recommended collective action for net-zero emissions; resourcefulness for waste elimination; expediting legislative changes in the Modern Slavery Act and introducing a garment adjudicator; and supporting UK manufacturing and skills development.

The report, released by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion, also offered a series of policy recommendations to make the British fashion industry more inclusive.

Fashion Roundtable and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Textiles and Fashion address three key areas of diversity and inclusion; disability, race and LGBTQ+, in their latest paper.

The UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion (ESF APPG) has published a new report which details recommendations on how government and stakeholders can address the fashion industry’s environmental impact while protecting workers.

From demystifying the industry to providing paid opportunities, schemes like Mentoring Matters are fighting for a more equitable fashion system

The luxury fashion sector is adopting more progressive policies for parents, although there is still room for innovation to support the growing numbers of hybrid and freelance workers.

Rights for fashion assistants? Actually groundbreaking

This Fashion Revolution Week we have caught up with some thinkers within sustainable fashion who we have long admired. 8 years on from Rana Plaza, we talk to them about how sustainable fashion is changing, their own personal journeys and what the future might hold. We spoke to Jodi Muter-Hamilton, founder of sustainability and communications consultancy Other day. For the past 8 years, she has helped fashion and technology start-ups to connect with their audience in a meaningful way.

This Fashion Revolution Week we have caught up with some thinkers within sustainable fashion who we have long admired. 8 years on from Rana Plaza, we talk to them about how sustainable fashion is changing, their own personal journeys and what the future might hold.

A swift walk through the corridors of Westminster will highlight that for many working in politics, the fashion and textiles industry is not a top priority for them.

Close to 59 per cent fashion brands have said that Brexit has impacted their business since the end of the transition, as per a recent report. About 25 per cent of the brands surveyed said they have considered relocating all or part of their businesses and 91 per cent of them want a visa that allows creative access to EU countries cheaply and quickly.

Brands are publishing manifestos to position themselves as sustainable fashion leaders and improve transparency to consumers. Activists and consultants explain how to get it right.

A quarter of British fashion companies have considered relocating all or part of their business, and nearly 60 percent see the country’s reputation as a fashion hub negatively impacted as a result of Brexit, according to a survey of about 200 industry stakeholders including designers, business leaders and creatives conducted in January and February by industry advocacy group Fashion Roundtable.

Fashion Roundtable, the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Textiles and Fashion, has put forward 11 recommendations to help mitigate Brexit's impact on the UK fashion and textile industry.

Brexit looms. Access the news and analysis you need now to navigate this monumental shift

The leading think tank Fashion Roundtable have published their new paper Brexit: The Impact On The Fashion Industry, outlining where fashion stands post-Brexit and how the sector can work together with government to secure its future.

The UK’s shadow secretary of state for international trade, Emily Thornberry has called for party politics to be set aside to fix issues that continue to hamper post-Brexit UK SME exports.

The British royal family descendent has teamed up with the eco-conscious accessories label

California garment workers want an end to the "piece rate" pay system during a pandemic that has disproportionately hurt low wage workers.

Exclusive: Designer Katharine Hamnett has warned that UK fashion businesses are already closing as a result of post-Brexit paperwork, and that she herself has been forced to pause sales to the bloc.

It started from the rich and interwoven history of textiles in Yorkshire from the 18th century, when the region stood at the forefront with its countless cotton and wool mills.

‘I think Covid has laid bare a lot of the negative sides of fashion,' says the model and charity campaigner

Brexit and Covid-19 have proved a double blow for the fashion capital. Some creatives are localising production, while others are looking outside the UK for solutions.

Fashion’s freelancers say they are stuck in a cycle of financial instability and poor mental health. What would a more sustainable and stable ecosystem look like?

Brexit will devastate the British fashion industry unless the Government provides urgent support, say fashion leaders.

A major agency which represents Naomi Campbell and Twiggy has warned that models now face a three month wait to work in Europe, effectively killing off their chances at work in the EU post-Brexit.

Brands have called on the government to address a “gaping hole” in the EU Brexit trade deal around rule of origin.

A coalition of 17 trade unions and NGOs have released a joint statement calling on western brands to condemn the military coup in Myanmar and to support the garment workers at the heart of pro-democracy protests.

The women call for solidarity from brands like H&M, Inditex (Zara owner), Bestseller — contributing to Myanmar's $4.59 billion sector

A new virtual educational hub aims to drive awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a combination of short films, documentaries, reports, infographics, videos and informational tools

Royal Wedding designer Alice Temperley and legendary model Yasmin Le Bon blast 'cowardly' Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden after he demands they use their 'star power' on Brussels to ease trade woes

Husband and wife JAC and Josie Beeson, owners of Abrahams Store in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, say independent businesses have been handed a “raw deal” from the pandemic, and are calling for more government support.

Retailers are eligible for a £6,000 grant – but where does that leave the rest of the industry?

Brexit restrictions are making new faces less likely to succeed

Britain’s £35bn fashion industry is struggling to stay afloat as it faces the dual pressures of the pandemic and post-Brexit red tape. Mail+ reporter Jess King speaks to the industry insiders who say support promised by the government is nothing but a case of the Emperor’s New Clothes

In London, Brexit leads to an increase in administrative formalities in companies. Trading with Europe has become more difficult.

Last Thursday, Michael Gove chaired his final behind-closed-doors video call with small and medium-sized business owners, ranging from children’s toy makers to packaging companies, to hear the unvarnished truth about their post-Brexit problems.

With the increase in customs procedures following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, the British fashion industry claims to have plummeted with the conclusion of an agreement with "glaring failures". As a form of appeal, Fashion Roundtable wrote a letter to the government, which was signed by 455 industry leaders.

After three-and-a-half years, two snap elections, and endless failed trade agreements, on December 31st, the United Kingdom finally made its official withdrawal from the European Union with a deal in place. It would be easy, then, to imagine that the journey had reached, if not its end, then at least a new chapter with a more clearly defined path forward. But the final hour agreement—more of a last-minute averting of total economic self-destruction—has left small businesses up and down the country scrambling to answer the question: What comes next?

Taxes and customs duties, delays in deliveries and difficulties in obtaining visas: because that "Leave" of 2016 is costing (too much) the British fashion.

Collection inspired by the ‘great outdoors’ featured silk skirts and women but was entirely menswear

The sector “risks being decimated by the Brexit agreement and current government policy,” warns Fashion Roundtable in a letter.

Designers seeking emergency support told by the culture secretary to use their ‘star power’

As London Fashion Week kicks off, the UK’s chaotic exit from the European Union and painful policy shifts on retail are adding to the challenges created by the pandemic.

London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday in a 100% virtual format, with parades with the public being banned in a country in full containment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

London Fashion Week begins on Friday on a virtual format due to a coronavirus lockdown with mainstays like Victoria Beckham shunning the event but others like Burberry embracing the online avatar.

As the post-Brexit era dawns, Britain's fashion and textiles industry is sounding the alarm bells.

London's five-day digital fashion week begins today against a backdrop of anxiety about cost of doing business with the European Union after Brexit.

Already pushed to the breaking point by the pandemic, designers, manufacturers and retailers claim the newly-negotiated Brexit deal is a disaster.

Ahead of the first post-Brexit London Fashion Week, designers and retailers including Richard Quinn, Bethany Williams, and Harry Fisher lay bare its effects on their labels

The Covid pandemic has been catastrophic for bricks-and-mortar retailers in most, if not all, sectors but certainly in my industry, fashion, says Sacha Newall.

Actors, musicians and creative industries battle wave of post-Brexit red tape

With strict limitations on freedom of movement, London could lose its status as one of the world’s fashion capitals.

With Britain out of the European Union, companies that trade with the continent are contending with expensive disruptions to their businesses and a plunge in exports.

Multinationals can just about cope with the new UK-EU trading rules, but independent businesses are mired in problems

The British fashion industry is in freefall—and being ignored by the only people able to produce a safety net. The government still hasn’t responded to a letter sent 10 days ago by Fashion Roundtable and signed by 455 industry leaders.

Fashion labels are increasingly hiring ethnic minority models, but more is needed to achieve sustainable representation, according to industry insiders.

British fashion brands say they are hemorrhaging European customers

In an open letter to the Prime Minister, fashion industry representatives and executives, including models Twiggy and Yasmin Le Bon, said Brexit is stifling the complex international supply chains and relationships on which their industry is built.

Uncommonly exposed to red tape and restrictions across the English Channel, the UK’s £35 billion fashion and textile industry is feeling the effects of its situation.

Britain's fashion industry is "at real risk of decimation" by the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union and current government policy, a leading forum warned on Monday.

The UK fashion industry recently urged the government to urgently discuss solutions to help save the sector facing several critical issues that may jeopardise the immediate and long-term future of the industry. The sector is at a real risk of decimation by the Brexit trade deal and government policies at present, think tank Fashion Roundtable said recently.

Beset by the existential threats of Covid and Brexit - and now facing a reckoning over sustainability, the fashion industry is in flux. John Arlidge reports.

After British musicians, restricted for their European tours, voices from the fashion industry are speaking out against Brexit. In a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson released on Tuesday, dozens of his representatives worry about the impact of a month of Brexit on a renowned industry around the world. Already victim of the crisis, hundreds of stores are declaring bankruptcy in city centers.

The U.K. fashion and textile industry is expected to lose £35 billion ($48 billion) due to bureaucracy and travel restrictions forced by the post-Brexit deal, Prime Commerce 360 reported citing The Financial Times. A letter co-ordinated by forum Fashion Roundtable requested Prime Minister Boris Johnson to withdraw its decision to stop the VAT retail export scheme and add textile workers to the visa bottleneck list.

Brexit puts British fashion at risk. This is what more than 450 figures in the sector say in an open letter to the government. Models, stylists, industrialists… all ask Boris Johnson to act urgently to help them relaunch their activity, which had already been damaged by the health crisis.

Our writers analyse the true effects of the split, on industries including luxury clothing, music, fishing and bees

Yasmin Le Bon, Dame Twiggy Lawson, Jefferson Hack, Roksanda Ilincic, Nick Knight, Sarah Mower, and Camilla Lowther, are among the 451 leading figures in the fashion industry who've signed Fashion Roundtable's open letter to the government, expressing concern that the fashion and textile industry is 'at real risk of decimation by the Brexit trade deal'.

Costs and paperwork are spiralling because of Britain’s new deal with the EU, designers and executives say

Jade Parfitt is among those fighting the impact of Brexit and says she is “very concerned” about how London will maintain its status as “one of the true fashion capitals of the world” because of Brexit.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, stylists, photographers and models deplore, a month after Brexit, new constraints unsuitable for a fashion industry dependent on cross-border projects.

We hate to admit it as we consider ourselves eternal optimists, but man, it's been a depressing start to 2021 for all of us. Sure, there are glimmers of hope what with an efficient vaccine programme here in the UK and buds of green shooting up from the grounds in our parks. But with the Pandemic and Brexit, it feels like we just haven't caught a break in a long while.

We may be catching a glimpse of economic life beyond the pandemic. While gross domestic product (GDP) may return to pre-pandemic levels by the middle of this year, it will take some time before we return to employment rosters pre-COVID.

Dame Twiggy Lawson has joined more than 400 leaders from the world of fashion in signing an open letter to the Government amid fears for the future of the industry over the Brexit trade deal.

Irish freight volumes to and from European Union ports doubled in January, the government said on Monday, as many traders shunned the once-speedier route to the continent through Britain due to Brexit red tape and delays.

The UK fashion industry is warning of “decimation” if the government does not cut post-Brexit supply chain red tape “strangling” 52,000 fashion SMEs trading with the EU.

Fashion Roundtable has worked to highlight the key surrounding issues and impact of Brexit in an Open Letter to the Government. Support them by writing to your MP.

Fashion Roundtable, a London-based thinktank committed to better government policy for the fashion industry, has written an open letter to call on the government to offer more support in dealing with issues which have arisen due to the Brexit deal.

A group of fashion, business and economic experts are joining forces to push the UK government to ensure the fashion and manufacturing industries aren’t overlooked.

Fashion Roundtable, the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Textiles and Fashion, has called for action to help mitigate the impact of the Brexit trade deal on the UK fashion and textile industry.

Brands in Europe and the UK are working out how to sell on both sides of the Channel despite lots of new red tape and costs.

The UK fashion industry has written an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning the sector is at risk of ‘decimation’ due to the restrictions brought in by the post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union (EU).

Industry insiders say British fashion is facing ‘decimation’ - but is this true and how much will it affect the way we dress?

London-based think tank Fashion Roundtable has written an open letter to call on the UK Government to offer further support in dealing with issues which have arisen due to Brexit

The EU trade deal has left a 'gaping hole' and 'red tape delays' and costs are already impacting the industry, it's been warned

More than 400 figures from the UK fashion industry have signed an open letter to the prime minister warning that post-Brexit red tape and travel restrictions threaten their survival.

More than 400 leading figures send letter to PM demanding urgent action on red tape

Fashion Roundtable are set to present their plea to the UK government next week – show your support now

Fashion Roundtable - a group of fashion, business, economic and political experts that advocate for long-term strategic and sustainable growth of the apparel industry - is chairing a meeting this week to ensure the industry can be effective as others during the pandemic

The Government's new VAT policy will send foreign shoppers to Europe

Since the killing of George Floyd, the industry has attempted to tackle racism, but has it gone far enough?

The zero-tariff, zero-quota trade deal offers some relief, but the end of the VAT rebate for foreigners has cast a shadow on London’s appeal.

The UK's departure from the European Union has altered the way British diamond businesses trade with important centres such as Antwerp, as well as with markets around the world. The impact stretches from new Kimberley Process procedures to updated rules on value-added tax.

Retailers and analysts agree: shutting shops so close to Christmas will have a devastating impact on the sector

Art School's Eden Loweth wants his runway to represent the world.

With the November 2020 election looming, the Joe Biden Victory Fund has launched a merch collection in collaboration with several high-profile designers. Politically engaged younger voters are getting in on the hype and wearing their Biden/Harris fandom on their sleeves.

The sacrifice could be worth it to help struggling retailers

How Topshop, New Look, River Island and more will cope with weeks of boarded-up stores

With new restrictions on the horizon, English cities may be looking at the closure of non-essential stores

Quote “If we get rid of tax-free shopping and the visitors aren't there, you won't put your flagship store there. You'll move to Paris.”

As Wales prepares to shut down all non-essential shops, local retailers look ahead to a difficult winter

You can now buy Gucci and Levi's on official resale platforms

Eden Loweth’s Art School show took place on August 24, in the gardens of Waterlow Park in the gap before more restrictions were imposed in the U.K.

The combination of quarantine and an end to duty-free shopping could be a fatal blow for retailers

Ashley Banjo, Adwoa Aboah and Jonathan Majors are among the latest figures to draw on the iconic Black Panther uniform

As Boris Johnson unveils further restrictions, fashion leaders foresee serious problems for the industry

Royal Mail figures reveal just how much shopping culture has transformed since spring

From AI development to VIP managers, these are the fashion jobs of the future

Without good data, “you end up in greenwashing,” Fashion Roundtable’s Cincik said. “So many people are drawn to social media, which is a series of opinions rather than facts… we clearly need experts, otherwise we’re just living in a world of fake news.”

By creating a National Investment Bank with an explicit net-zero mandate, Ministers could reap the benefits of the UK's Brexit transition period, Covid-19 recovery planning and low-carbon transition simultaneously, MPs, economists and local leaders are urging

Industry leaders argue that there are too many loopholes in current anti-slavery legislation, and a licensing system would raise standards across the UK’s garment factories

The retail has also called upon the Government to take action

Fashion retailers including M&S and Missguided, alongside 50 MPs, have written to the Home Secretary urging that action be taken to address exploitation in the UK fashion supply chain.

A new All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has been formed to analyse sustainability in the clothing and textiles industry. With the new APPG, which is supported by sustainability charity Hubbub, MPs from all political backgrounds will come together to review supply chains, materials used, and consumer behaviours.

Cross-party MPs are calling on the British government to help fix fashion by doing more to support the development of more sustainable fabrics, boost textile recycling and help to bring back manufacturing jobs to the UK.

A coalition of big-name fashion retailers, as well as charities and academics, have voiced their support for a new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) working to make the UK's fashion sector more sustainable.

Environmental charity sets out wide-ranging package of policy proposals and initiatives that could help embed greener lifestyles as the UK recovers from the coronavirus crisis

Create more sustainable fabrics and boost textile recycling facilities, says all-party group

The all-party parliamentary committee has put together a new report that highlights how COVID-19 impact the fashion industry and how government regulation can help rebuild it sustainably.

The BRC has been working with Dr Lisa Cameron MP, Chair of the APPG for Textiles and Fashion to raise the issue of unethical labour practices taking place in some garment factories.

Following repeated claims of illegal working practices in Leicester, Drapers explores why fashion is still hiding the shameful secret of modern slavery.

For me, fashion has always held a restorative power. Throughout my life, the simple act of styling myself has transformed my perception of the world — and, in turn, how I am immediately perceived by others. Whilst I’ve had a rare muscle weakness condition since birth which affects my mobility, stamina and physical strength, I never allowed myself to be defined or labelled by my disability.

A few months? A few generations? H.R. experts debate the challenges of building a diverse — and inclusive — workforce, and believe it’s ultimately up to the brands to make changes.

Dazed Media has announced the donation of 50,000 masks and has teamed up with the Emergency Designer Network to distribute them to charities and organisations around the UK

A low-key London Fashion Week went digital for its menswear shows against a backdrop of Black Lives Matter protests and a statement from the British Fashion Council regarding the industry’s multiple challenges.

When Wuhan began to do battle with coronavirus in January, Phoebe English felt keenly how it could affect the UK. The London designer, who has become a leading voice in fashion’s sustainability conversation, visited the city in China’s Hubei province last year to deliver lectures on the environmental impact of the industry.

Bethany Williams – London’s social pioneer who practises community first, catwalk second fashion – tells British Vogue of her reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

As some brands pivot towards making the face masks, gowns and scrubs much needed by healthcare workers, three London-based fashion designers have set up the Emergency Designer Network (EDN), seeking to “galvanise local level production” and supplement stocks, starting with scrubs.

Faced with the new reality, which has seen the fashion industry all but grind to a halt with shuttered stores, cancelled orders and plummeting consumer confidence, a good portion of London brands and retailers have taken steps to adapt. Some set out to inspire those stuck at home, others aim to support the NHS by making much-needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

As some brands pivot towards making the face masks, gowns and scrubs much needed by healthcare workers, three London-based fashion designers have set up the Emergency Designer Network (EDN), seeking to “galvanise local level production” and supplement stocks, starting with scrubs.

FACTORIES have been receiving calls directly from local hospitals asking them to 'make them anything' to protect NHS staff.

UK clothes makers say the government has wasted time in ordering personal protective equipment for NHS staff.

According to a snap survey by Fashion Roundtable, 61% of the fashion industry said they have already lost work due to COVID-19.

As Britain’s exit date from the EU arrives, the consequences of the nation’s decision to depart remain unclear.

Big UK chains like Next and Primark could see stock delays and face a dilemma about whether to switch production from China.

It’s even worse for luxury brands. The UK Fashion Roundtable found that in a search of items available on luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter, only 0.8% of its total offering was available in size 14 or above.

Earlier this week Fashion Roundtable published a manifesto for change in the fashion industry ahead of the UK general election on 12 December. The organisation is pushing for the implementation of a sustainable fashion framework and tax incentives for businesses using tech to transition to sustainable business models.

Tamara Cincik, who founded Fashion Roundtable, is hoping to change that. Cincik launched the group, which draws on expertise across fields, as a way to lobby politicians about the needs of the fashion industry after the Brexit referendum.

Shortly after the call to cancel became public, Fashion Roundtable founder Tamara Cincik issued an official statement to similar effect: “LFW is not a showcase of mass produced hyper sale mega brands, these are small companies with marginal turnovers- all of whom buy into sustainable business practice. These are the very people who support XR and see themselves as a part of that message.”

A survey by the Fashion Roundtable consultancy found 96 percent of British fashion sector professionals backed Britain staying in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, fearing customs bureaucracy and restrictions on the movement of workers.

In the 2016 referendum, 90% of British fashion designers voted to remain in the EU. Here are some of the reasons why.

“We need to address whether we really need all of these shows,” Tamara Cincik, the founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable, says. “It’s relentless, and is it even working? Who buys this much stuff? I just don’t think the designer’s customer buys into the seasons like that anymore. I think the industry has to catch up to the new consumer, and a really big recalibration needs to happen. I’d like there to be a realization that we don’t have to follow fashion around the world like a headless chicken.”

Tamara Cincik, CEO and founder of Fashion Roundtable, said: “Our industry is growing, but without the talent from domicile residents, the sector has relied on EU and non-EU nationals. Not only does manufacturing education need to grow here in the UK, we also need to be maintained continued access to non-UK nationals, if we are not only to maintain but also grow our fashion manufacturing business.”

"The sector is anxious and worried," said Tamara Cincik, founder of Fashion Roundtable, a consulting firm interviewed by AFP. "Until Brexit is decided, it is difficult for companies to make the necessary adjustments because they do not know what the impact will be on their business.”

Stylist Tamara Cincik set up Fashion Roundtable to make sure the industry’s concerns were heard. ‘Fishing makes £1.4 billion for the UK economy, fashion almost £30 billion, but we only hear about cod,’ she says. ‘I know of two long-established London brands, one in accessories, one in women’s and menswear, moving to Portugal, and a large fash-tech business looking to relocate its logistics to Italy. With a hard Brexit or no deal, swathes of fashion firms expect to leave,’

A study by consultants Fashion Roundtable found 96 percent of business leaders in the British industry voted to stay in the EU. Their almost unanimous hostility to Brexit reflects a feeling across much of British cultural life, but also the fears of a sector strongly dependent on international trade.

"The industry is anxious and worried and uncertainty is never good for the mood of anyone, let alone an industry based on freedom of movement," Tamara Cincik, founder and CEO of consultancy firm Fashion Roundtable, told AFP.

"While many brands have moved logistics beyond the borders of the UK, many others are particularly concerned about the current political chaos and are waiting to understand what will happen before making strategic decisions on relocation” - explains Tamara Cincik, founder of Fashion Roundtable, secretariat of the parliamentary intergroup for fashion textiles. [Translated]

Tamara says “If it’s difficult to get to the country, if you can’t get the access to models, to talents, the clothes, I don’t think you’d be able to justify spending the money as a young designer to showcase in London.”

“I don’t think anyone’s prepared,” said Tamara Cincik, founder and chief executive of Fashion Roundtable. “I don’t think they’re prepared, and that worries me.”

“After two years of not knowing what the outcome might be, we still today are unsure of what might happen,” said Tamara Cincik, founder and CEO of Fashion Roundtable. “Combine this with the issues to bricks and mortar retail and you have a perfect storm.”

The capital of the United Kingdom wonders about the future of fashion. Stylists and experts in the sector speak about it. And above all, the numbers of the sector speak about it.