UKFT news and archive

UKFT halts Rise initiative for start-ups

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has announced that it will be stopping its Rise initiative, closing the doors on the project’s start-up support following an evaluation into resources. The organisation made the announcement in an Instagram post, where it said: “As a small organisation, we remain committed to supporting the sustainable...

BusinessFeatured

BFC, UKFT and UKRI launch Circular Fashion Innovation Network

The British Fashion Council (BFC), the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) have joined forces to launch what they are calling a “groundbreaking partnership” called the Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN). The CFIN will sit under the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion (IPF) to bring together...

BusinessFeatured

Marks & Spencer, New Look and Pangaia join recycling technology project

The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has announced a series of new government-funded projects centred around textile recycling infrastructure, circular fashion and sustainable manufacturing. One of the first initiatives, the Autosort for Circular Textiles Demonstrator (ACT UK), is a four million pound project to develop and pilot an...

BusinessFeatured

Retailers New Look and Next to pilot new supply chain platform

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is working with technology companies IBM, Tech Data, and the Future Fashion Factory to design, prototype and pilot a new technology platform to help the fashion and textile industry drive sustainability and profitability through increased transparency within the supply chain. The Sustainable Supply...

PeopleFeatured

British designer Kim Jones honoured by the Queen

Kim Jones, who is currently both artistic director at Dior Men and artistic director for haute couture, ready-to-wear and fur collections for women at Fendi, has been awarded the OBE in the delayed Queen’s Birthday Honours List for 2020. The British designer, who was honoured for services to fashion, was among a number of fashion names to be...

Business

UKFT demands support for “the forgotten middle”

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is urging the government to provide support for fashion individuals or companies that are not eligible for any of the existing Covid-19 related protection schemes. The UKFT is calling for more support for what it calls “the forgotten middle” those fashion businesses that fall outside eligibility of...

Fashion Featured

UKFT launches new projects to support future talent

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) is launching two new initiatives to help support future talent in the industry, as part of its mission to promote the growth of the entire supply chain across the UK. The projects aim to promote the “wealth of opportunities to young people” of either working with or within a UK manufacturer, as the...

Business

Burberry opens Centre for Manufacturing Excellence

Burberry has opened its Centre for Manufacturing Excellence in Castleford, Yorkshire, as part of its commitment to protect artisanal skills and support British manufacturing. The heritage fashion house has worked in partnership with the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) on the facility, who has delivered training to trainers and team...

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No deal Brexit tariffs a “mixed bag for fashion”

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has stated that the ‘no deal’ Brexit tariffs announced by the UK government is “a mixed bag for fashion” and will impact exporters, as well as imports from Turkey, which is a major supplier to the UK fashion industry. The temporary tariff plan in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit includes around 80...

Business

UKFT to take over management of Textiles Scotland

The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has announced that it will take over the management of Textiles Scotland from January 1, 2019. The move comes after “lengthy discussions” between the two organisations and aims to provide new opportunities for Scottish companies by being part of a wider network while retaining a national, Scottish...

Fashion

Clothing manufacturer Gosha hosts royal visit

HRH The Princess Royal visited luxury womenswear manufacturer Gosha London’s studio, in her role as president of the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), to highlight the highly specialised skills required to manufacture luxury designer fashion as well as to boost UK manufacturing. Gosha London manufactures clothing for some of the world’s...

People

UKFT executive named in Queen’s Birthday Honours

The UK Fashion and Textile Association’s international business manager, Laurian Davies has been named in the Queen’s annual Birthday Honours. Davies, who has been helping designers and brands for more than 38 years, has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to young fashion entrepreneurs and exporters. Commenting on the...