Source Fashion closes with record footfall, strong global turnout

The final day of Source Fashion at Olympia London drew to a close, marking the end of a dynamic and inspiring three-day event. With record visitor numbers and a 51% year-on-year increase in total footfall, the show has firmly cemented its place as Europe’s leading responsible sourcing event. The show remained busy until the end, as buyers, designers, and sourcing professionals from leading fashion brands including LVMH, Harrods, Burberry, Victoria Beckham, Temperley, Bella Freud, Lyle & Scott, French Connection, John Lewis, AllSaints, ASOS, Joseph, Marks & Spencer, Next, New Look, Primark, River Island, Mango, Joules, JoJo Maman Bébé, Sosander, Gigi & Olive, Lucy & Yak, Yumi International, Damson Madder, Godske, Jaded London, Tottenham Hotspur and Jermyn Street Design, made the most of their last opportunities to connect with global manufacturers, explore sustainable innovations, and engage in critical industry conversations.

With a spotlight on transparency, innovation and collaboration, Source Fashion has once again proven to be more than a sourcing event, it's a platform for progress, collaboration, and long-term change across the fashion supply chain.

Veronica Potocko, Head of Fabrics, Temperley London said, “I had a number of really productive conversations with suppliers who were knowledgeable, prepared, and genuinely keen to work with designers like us. Unlike other trade shows, I felt I was speaking directly with producers, not intermediaries, and that makes a huge difference. The atmosphere was professional yet relaxed, and the layout allowed meaningful, private conversations. It was absolutely worth the trip.”

Nicola Kirby, Head of Sourcing, John Lewis said, “Source Fashion continues to be a vital platform for discovering responsible, innovative suppliers. It’s an invaluable space to connect, share ideas and move the industry forward together. This year, the show is bigger and better than ever, with a renewed focus on sustainability. Source fashion is a springboard for innovation in sourcing it showcases the kind of forward thinking, agile, suppliers and emerging regions we need to keep pace within a changing retail landscape.”

Jeff Banks, Designer & Retailer said, “The improvement in the quality of exhibitors this season has been remarkable compared to last year. There’s now a real presence of top-quality product, whether that’s a reflection of a shift in the global market or simply the show's growing reputation, it’s clear that even high-end manufacturers are looking to connect directly with retailers here. What also stood out was the sheer diversity of product on offer, there truly is something for everyone. I came across three cashmere suppliers, including one from Mongolia producing a top-of-the-line product: beautifully made, beautifully executed. I’m already thinking about how I could harness that and bring it into the Jeff Banks collection. I also discovered a digital print supplier from Bombay creating stunning, highly complex prints across a range of fabrics. That kind of innovation opens exciting creative possibilities. For me, it’s all about having the right artisans and supply partners to bring design ideas to life. That’s where Source Fashion really delivers.”

The response from more than 250 exhibitors representing over 22 key sourcing regions, including the UK, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, China, and more, has been overwhelmingly positive.

Devansha Tibrawalla, Director at Svarna Textiles said, “This is the first time we have exhibited at Source, we are very happy, we have had solid leads every day of the show and we had a very promising conversation with the Next souring director. We will return in February 2026 and look forward to it”.

Rachel Wu at Zhejiang Shaoxing Xinhua Knitwear Garments commented, “It’s the second time we have done Source Fashion and we are very happy with the set-up and the number and range of visitors. We have received more than 10 substantial orders and multiple leads. We will definitely look at returning to Source Fashion in February”

Beyond sourcing, Source Fashion has cemented its role as a thought leader in sustainable fashion and supply chain innovation. Across two well attended stages, the Source Catwalk and Source Debate Stage, this season’s content programme delivered powerful insights and practical guidance on the future of responsible sourcing. Industry experts explored critical topics such as traceability, regulatory readiness, circular design, material innovation, and ethical production models.

Highlights included, a high-energy panel session with Simon Platts (SP&KO Consultancy), Isabelle Alexander (Isabelle Meira), Paul Kerssens (United Repair Centre), Bill McRaith, and Lindsey McKerchar (FINESSE) that challenged the industry’s long-held reliance on Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs). The discussion explored how outdated sourcing models are being replaced by smarter, more responsive approaches that prioritise flexibility, sustainability, and supply chain transparency. From AI-powered demand forecasting to closer, low-volume manufacturing, speakers shared real-world strategies for reducing overproduction and financial risk, without compromising quality or creativity. Together, the panel made a compelling case for a new sourcing mindset: one that empowers brands and factories to produce only what’s needed, when it’s needed.

Simon Platts also hosted a lively debate exploring whether the industry can truly decouple profit from volume, highlighting the dangers of chasing fast growth at the expense of profitability. He argued that fashion must shift toward responsible, sustainable growth by prioritising efficiency, quality, and smarter planning over cheap production and high volume. Audience contributors discussed how brands like Patagonia and LK Bennett have achieved profit growth by reducing output and focusing on resale, rental, and circular strategies. Tools like better forecasting, supply chain visibility, and regenerative design were spotlighted as key to moving away from linear growth models. An incisive quote from Platts summed up the session, "Growth doesn’t have to be the enemy, responsible growth is possible if we value every part of the chain and build profit into the right places."

In a candid conversation on the Source Catwalk, Mark Faithfull, Journalist at World Retail Congress & Forbes and Hash Ladha, Former CEO Jigsaw explored the evolving role of leadership in a time of ongoing volatility, disruption, and rising sustainability pressures. Touching on everything from investor expectations to Shein’s meteoric rise, the discussion emphasised the need for long-term thinking, cultural resilience, and authenticity in leadership. Ladha noted, “We don’t just need responsibility in our sourcing, we need responsibility in our thinking, in our planning, and in our results.” The conversation also highlighted the power of purpose-led retail, the value of listening to teams on the ground, and the crucial role of education, not just for customers, but for the next generation of decision-makers. Despite the challenges, the tone remained optimistic, pointing to thoughtful leadership and collaborative innovation as key to navigating uncertainty.

On the Source Debates stage, Gemma Metheringham, Founder, Elephant in my Wardrobe explored Will secondhand ever become first choice? This wide-ranging discussion dealt with the shifting attitudes toward secondhand fashion, particularly how platforms like Vinted are reshaping consumer habits across generations. Key themes included the growing normalisation of resale among children, the economic appeal of buying and selling secondhand, and concerns that resale may fuel overconsumption rather than reduce it. Participants highlighted a clear say-do gap, especially among young people who express sustainable values but still shop fast fashion.

Dax Lovegrove, Consultant at Planet Positive and former Director of Sustainability at Versace tackled the complex question of whether luxury fashion can truly align with sustainability. With perspectives from across sourcing, supply chains, and technology, the discussion explored contradictions at the heart of the sector: from high-impact materials and modern slavery concerns to greenwashing and overproduction. The role of customer expectation was central: is the market ready to redefine luxury as craft, transparency, and ethics, rather than just exclusivity and profit? The session concluded with cautious optimism, change is slow, but there is momentum, especially among smaller, purpose-led brands and a new generation of consumers demanding better.

Meanwhile, The Source Catwalk, in partnership with Reskinned, drew crowds of visitors to every edition and brought circular fashion to life, showcasing the potential of pre-loved and reworked garments in modern retail.

Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director at Source Fashion said, "As we close the doors on this season’s show, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together. Source Fashion continues to grow, not just in scale, but in impact. We’ve seen real conversations happening on our stages, from tackling complex regulation to reshaping sourcing strategies for a more circular, transparent future. This show has become more than a sourcing platform, it’s a trusted space for collaboration, for action, and for change. What makes Source Fashion truly special is the community we’ve built, buyers, manufacturers, and innovators who genuinely care about doing better business. Together, we’re not only shaping the future of sourcing, we’re helping define what responsible fashion really means."

The next edition of Source Fashion will take place in February 2026.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (HU)