Source responsibly at London’s newest trade show

Source Fashion

A hub of international manufacturers and suppliers, Source Fashion is a trade event for buying, sourcing and procurement decision makers.

It covers raw materials, fabrics, trims, and packaging, as well as contract manufacturers offering in-house design services.

Having launched in February 2023, the event focuses on sustainable sourcing, with every exhibitor required to have been audited by a recognisable global audit institution to ensure sustainability and transparency is at the heart of their business model.

Returning for its second season, the show has doubled in size and will feature nearly 250 exhibitors from around the world, covering 25 countries including the UK, Peru, Cambodia, Pakistan, Turkey, China, India, Portugal, Hong Kong, Italy, and Greece.

The launch event attracted nearly 5,000 visitors, including representatives from retailers and brands including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, AllSaints, Asos, Ted Baker, Bella Freud, Fila, Fred Perry, Matalan, Monsoon, Stitch Fix, Urban Outfitters and The Very Group.

Source Fashion will take place alongside fashion trade shows Pure London and Scoop.

Drapers meets Suzanne Ellingham, director of sourcing at Source Fashion, to find out more.

What is Source Fashion, and why should people attend?

Source Fashion is Europe’s newest responsible sourcing show. Fashion retailers and brands looking to diversify their sourcing operations with designers and producers from around the globe only need to travel to one city to find them.

The show has doubled in size from the inaugural February event, demonstrating clear demand for a show that vets all its exhibitors to ensure they align with the show’s responsible sourcing ethos. Thousands of buyers, sourcing, and procurement teams have already registered to attend knowing that this is the only UK platform to offer such variety, assurance, and newness.

What’s new this season?

Offering a powerful proposition for visitors looking to source and discover new suppliers and manufacturers, over 80% of the show’s exhibitors have never shown in Europe, and companies from over 20 countries will be represented.

On top of that, we are excited to reveal our Source catwalk line-up. The brilliant vegan fashion designer Sarah Regensburger will be headlining the catwalk presentation, which also includes trend stories and a multi-designer modest wear show from Jordan-based exhibitors.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to attend our educational panels, with a line-up of internationally renowned industry professionals discussing the latest trends and topics in responsible fashion.

Source Fashion

Zoe Bayliss-Wong, previously director of Depop, will be talking through real-life examples from businesses that are moving beyond sustainability, proving that regenerative product development can be profitable.

About 10 days ago the UK announced the Developing Countries Trading Scheme. This removes or reduces import duties from 65 developing countries. The aim of the scheme is to stimulate trade with those regions looking to diversify and increase their exports, driving their prosperity whilst providing financial incentives to UK businesses who want to source better. I guarantee most companies don’t know about this yet, and I would recommend everyone attending the content session at 11am on Monday 17 July for a session on this.

What makes the show “responsible”, and why is this important in today’s fashion industry?

The reality is that every business wants to buy better, be it more sustainable or more ethical. At Source Fashion, all of our exhibitors are required to have had a recent audit from [sustainable supply chain solution] Sedex, or another recognisable global audit institution. This means visitors will know they’ll only be meeting manufacturers that have responsible and ethical business practises.

We champion responsibility, and sustainability isn’t just an addition to our show, it is our core value. We bring together manufacturers practicing environmental, transparent, and fair-trade methods, with buyers looking to source better and diversify their sourcing risk. Responsible, to us, means that we are working with businesses that have good practices, and are on their journey to simply be better businesses or enterprises.

Which exhibitors are you most excited to see?

Ultramaille, which is an amazing knitwear manufacturer from Madagascar. It is a brilliant business to work with and makes beautifully made products.

Source Fashion

And Fashion Enter, as I am a big fan of the business. Its CEO, Jenny Holloway, is a fantastic advocate for responsible manufacturing right here in the UK. There is literally nothing they can’t do.

Tell us about Project Re:claim.

The elephant in the room in fashion is waste. What happens when a consumer has worn something seven times and no longer wants it? The reality is that whilst the fashion industry is increasingly embracing second life, reuse, recycling, and circular economy practices, it is incredibly difficult to do anything with polyester and man-made fabrics at scale. Polyester recycling has remained one of the biggest challenges in recycling post-consumer clothing. However, we are very excited that SATCoL (the Salvation Army Trading Company) will launch its ground breaking technology Project Re:claim at Source Fashion.

Project Re:claim is a joint venture between corporate wear specialists Project Plan B and SATCoL, the trading arm of the charity, and sees the first commercial-scale, post-consumer polyester recycling plant launched.

Visitors to Source Fashion will be able to discover how polyester textiles have been successfully recycled back into raw material during a live seminar on the new technology on Monday 17 July at 12pm, which will discuss its possibilities and game-changing impact for the fashion industry. The team will also be on hand during the three-day show on stand SF-G60 to talk to visitors.