London Textile Fair records fewer visitors

The London Textile Fair, the leading UK trade show for European based textiles and accessories manufacturers, has recorded a slight decrease in visitors for its July edition, however, it did have the largest number of exhibitors since its launch in 2008.

The trade show, which took place from July 13-14 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, attracted its biggest number of exhibitors yet with 420 participating brands and manufacturers.

This season the fair launched an additional textile area to accommodate 30 new manufacturers, as well as increase the accessories area, which was at full capacity. The print design and vintage garments hall also had an increase in number with about 10 new exhibitors in total.

Exhibitors were predominantly European, with textiles and accessories manufacturers from Europe accounting for more than 90 percent of the total exhibiting space. The most represented countries were Italy (28 percent), Turkey (23 percent), UK (19 percent), Portugal (9 percent) and Spain (6 percent).

However, the show did note that due to the uncertain economic situation, following the Brexit vote, there was a slight decrease in visitor numbers, with the show attracting about 4,750 visitors over the two-day event, down from around 6,000 for the January edition. Organisers did add though that from exhibitors reviews a recurrent comment referred to the increase in percentage of “big names”, while there was a decrease in start-ups and independent designers attending. The international presence was also reported as “strong”.

Visitors included Alexander McQueen, Tommy Hilfiger, American Outfitters, Ted Baker, John Lewis, River Island, Asos, Calvin Klein, Lacoste, Chanel, Dorothy Perkins, Arcadia Group, Harrods, MaxMara, New Look, Monsoon, House of Fraser, Zara, and Victoria Beckham.

The next edition of London Textile Fair will be held on January 11-12, 2017.

Image: London Textile Fair Facebook