Responsible sourcing show, Source Fashion, opens this Sunday and is set to welcome sourcing and buying directors from the world’s leading brands and retailers including Marks & Spencer, Canada Goose, Hugo Boss, John Lewis, Joules, Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and many more.
At its third and biggest edition to date, visitors will discover a diverse range of manufacturers and suppliers from 24 countries. Furthermore, with a growing demand for onshore and nearshore sourcing options, over 25% of the show floor will be made up of UK or European manufacturers and suppliers.
To ensure supply chain transparency, all exhibitors are vetted to ensure they meet the show’s ethical and responsible production methods. They are also audited and accredited within 12 months before the show.
Debuting this season is Source Luxury.
This new area will comprise an edit of 48 premium quality manufacturers and artisans from countries including Portugal, Lithuania, Turkey, Hong Kong, Italy, Romania, Egypt, Mongolia, and the UK. Source Luxury exhibitors typically produce high-skill garments and tend to have lower-volume orders.
Source Fashion also continues to build its geographical diversity. For the first time, the show will feature exhibitors from Ethiopia, Madagascar and Tanzania, and a further 22 exhibitors will attend via Source Fashion’s partnership with the International Trade Center (ITC), an international agency dedicated to the development of small and medium-sized enterprises.
A strong contingent from Turkey includes specialists in tailoring, woven garments, socks, knitted apparel, swimwear, underwear, loungewear, and active sportswear. Plus, labels, trimmings, hangtags, barcode stickers, product packaging and care labels.
Commenting is Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing at Source Fashion.
“Over the last 18 months, my team has built out its sourcing knowledge by actually going into these countries, visiting the manufacturers and building relationships, which creates a really unique proposition for buyers attending the show. We’re all about championing responsible manufacturing, responsible processes and being transparent, and I believe we’re building a platform that gives us that point of view.”
Source Fashion is also home to an exclusive content programme of seminars and panel discussions, including macro trends with fashion futurist Geraldine Wharry; advice sessions on sourcing in new regions with Retail 100 and the International Trade Centre; supply chain storytelling with Jack Stratten from Insider Trends; UK manufacturing with Simon Platts from Recomme; maximising margins and profitability with KornitX; recycling materials and the landfill crisis with SATCoL; and an invaluable session on building a B Corp brand.
Held at Kensington Olympia, Source Fashion takes place on 18-20 February 2024. For further information, please click here.
