Government to continue support for LFW, BFC to lead sustainability initiative

“LFW is one of the four global fashion weeks, unique in its breadth of businesses from highly creative start-ups to global fashion brands. The funding will enable the British Fashion Council to continue to amplify the work of these businesses to a global audience and co-ordinate a city-wide celebration of fashion and cultural experiences”, the BFC said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, on the sustainability front, the BFC also confirmed it will lead a Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN) to “accelerate a Circular Fashion Eco-system” through the Institute of Positive Fashion in partnership with UK Fashion & Textiles (UKFT). 

The CFIN is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will be aligned to the BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion. In partnership with UKFT, it “aims to convene industry, academia and innovators to accelerate work and expertise needed to create a Circular Fashion Eco-System in the UK with an innovation-led mindset”. 

The programme has six main areas of focus: recycling infrastructure, sustainable manufacturing, circular business models, novel technology, diverse and future-proof workforce and green growth. 

Through the Network, UKFT’s main areas of activity will focus on recycling infrastructure and sustainable manufacturing and will be supported by a number of practical innovation and research projects “to boost the competitiveness of the UK fashion and textile industry”. 

The BFC and UKFT said they will set out their collective roadmap for change over the next few months. 

BFC chief executive Caroline Rush said: “The British fashion industry leads in creativity and its founders and entrepreneurs are leading innovators in their field. However, in order to responsibly grow businesses at a time of great change requires platforms, support and co-ordination. 

“We look forward to working with industry and government to support the UK in retaining its reputation as creative leaders in a global industry and to develop its ability to responsibly and collectively address how we accelerate to a leading Circular Fashion Eco-System in the UK.”