UKFT offered sector-specific advice, launched campaigns in Q2 2021

UKFT held several webinars to help companies understand the pitfalls in the new trading arrangements with the EU in the second quarter of this year.

The organisation also partnered with the British Fashion Council (BFC) to launch the Industry Government Forum to help identify key priorities for the sector, particularly in light of the impact of COVID-19 and Brexit. The forum helps identify key priorities for the industry and shapes UKFT and BFC’s interactions with government both in the short and long term.

The two organisations are closely aligned in three areas: supporting people and talent, helping businesses to trade, and shaping the sustainable future of the UK fashion and textile industry. UKFT and BFC have held three sessions so far, first focused on COVID-19 and Brexit, followed by Talent & IP, and finally Trade & Tariffs.

UKFT had launched the British Brands campaign to showcase the emerging designers, cult labels, heritage producers and creative artisans changing the face of UK fashion. In the first instalment, it focused on intimate apparel, swim and sleepwear, showcasing UK labels offering everything from size-inclusive lingerie through to sustainable swimwear, premium sleepwear, luxury basics and beyond.

It continued to shine the spotlight on British textile companies from all sectors of the industry as part of the Best of British Textiles campaign. From handweavers with a focus on slow fashion through to larger family-owned textile mills with impressive client bases, the campaign features the very best of British textiles designed for interior, apparel, handicraft and technical end uses. In the third instalment of the campaign, it highlighted a variety of British textile companies that create some of the most exciting and innovative textile products for the hand crafting market, the organisation said in the report.

The UK-based organisation has also published a variety of new guides for members, held webinars, covering topics, challenges and opportunities UK fashion and textile companies are facing and promoted a wide variety of opportunities for the industry.

UKFT Rise was a platform that the organisation used to support fashion and textile startups, while Manufacturing Heroes campaign showcased individuals in the manufacturing sector.

Sew Connect is the initiative launched last year to share jobs in sewing, textile and garment production and help to address the skills shortages in this vital part of the industry, the report said. UKFT also took initiatives to help UK companies reach new markets overseas.

As for sustainability, UKFT works across a wide range of projects to help the UK industry take full advantage of new technologies and markets and to help change the future landscape of the textile industry in the UK into one where circularity and environmentally sustainable supply chains are the new normal.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)