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Meet the Manufacturer 2014: The resurgence of Make it British

By FashionUnited

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“The event is a good way to equipped retailers and buyers with the skills they need to make British manufacturing work for themselves,” stated Kate Hills, founder and managing director of the website Make it British and the inaugural trade event/conference exclusively catered to

British fashion and textiles manufacturers, retailers and buyers.

Taking place next month, the event is the first of its kind to promote the revival and return of a full-scale fashion and textile manufacturing to the UK, combining a conference with a sourcing trade fair. The idea for the event came as a response to the growing demand Hills was witnessing from fashion designers, retailers and buyers who were looking for UK manufacturers. “Some manufacturers are not that easy to find or contact.”

Hills

also noted that a number of the people who contacted her where looking for support in locating the right producer. “Many businesses who contacted me looking for specific UK manufacturers, were also looking for someone to hold their hand while developing their relationships.” It was then she decided it was time to take the matchmaking service she was offering online, offline and offer the two parties the opportunity to connect and share knowledge at a single event.

First event designed to promote and encourage UK fashion/textile manufacturing

“Our aim is not only to introduce buyers from companies of all sizes to factories that can make their products, but also to inspire them with a programme of thought-provoking seminars led by industry experts that can provide guidance on manufacturing in the UK,” said Hills.

Over 1,000 fashion labels, retailers, buyers, as well as 39 UK manufacturers, are expected to join the two day event in East London. Retail guru Mary Portas will open the conference and speak about the revival of Kinky Knickers, after the British factory which manufactured the lingerie range was rescued from administration. A line up of 25 manufacturers, industry experts and fashion labels, including Asos, Roland Mouret and John Smedley will also be present and Hills will host a series of panels with fashion writer Lucy Siegle.

The feedback Hills has received from the event so far has been 'amazing'. “We had 50 available spaces at the conference, plus a huge waiting list and its all been filled. The exhibitors space is also completely sold out. I think that the event will have to be at least twice as big next year to accommodate everyone.”

The founder of the Make it British website aims to make the event an annual gathering, as she believes that now is time to revive textile manufacturing in the country after it suffered an unstable period for the past ten years. “Everyone has a positive feeling that the fashion and textile can grow again in the UK.”

“People have been ringing me as well to ask why I haven't included sections like homeware. I started with fashion and textile manufacturing because it is what I know, where I have most of my contacts and the industry I have worked in. However, I don't see why we could not expand the event in the future to add UK homeware and furniture manufacturers as well.”

Meet the Manufacturers takes place next month at The Old Truman Brewery in East London, and is set to run from 11 to 12 June.

Kate Hills
Make it British
Meet the Manufacturer