Patrick McDowell
The third edition of Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show, Source Fashion opened yesterday welcoming its biggest and most diverse edit of manufacturers, suppliers and artisans from over 20 countries including a special appearance and keynote discussion with leading British fashion design Patrick McDowell whose ‘Marie Antoinette Goes to Liverpool’ collection (in collaboration with Tencel) was showcased on the Source Fashion Catwalk. Source Fashion opened the Source Catwalk Stage with an entirely circular and sustainable immersive catwalk including breathtaking looks.
Championing responsibly made fashion, Source Fashion’s ethos is to create better business and become the catalyst for positive change in the retail industry offering a place where new connection, idea and possibilities come to life.
On the catwalk - Patrick McDowell
On the catwalk - Patrick McDowell
In her opening statement, Suzanne Ellingham, Director of Sourcing at Source Fashion said,
The definition of Source is ‘where things originate’, and we believe that creating beautiful, well made, garments begins in partnership with the people you source from. Our purpose is to create a safe buying space for buyers and to bring good, reliable, manufacturers and suppliers from around the world to Olympia London, to make it one step easier for the retail industry to create beautiful, responsibly made, clothing. This is a place where doing good business goes hand in hand with creating exceptional quality clothes.
Our mission is to connect the global sourcing community, bringing together innovative material suppliers and artisans, with extraordinary uniqueness and craftsmanship, and manufacturers who care about how garments are made, under one roof. And connecting them to brands and retailers looking to buy and source better and want to work with businesses whose values align with their own.”
Leading brands and retailers including Canada Goose, Swarovski, Moss Bros, John Lewis, Oxford Shirt Company, French Connection, Hunter, and many more attended today and the show floor remained busy, bustling with the mutual desire to do good business, connect, and learn more.
Touker Suleyman
Retail entrepreneur and TV Dragon, Touker Suleyman of Low Profile Holdings (Hawes & Curtis, Ghost, Finery) attended the show and said, “Every show is knowledge and knowledge is power. Here at Source Fashion you have the world under one roof, with suppliers for all brands big or small. There is something for everyone, from suppliers that can do small SKU’s to the very large. Fashion is always evolving, and constant research is always needed.”
Today promises more invaluable content with Jack Stratten from Insider Trends on Sourcing and storytelling: The selling power of retail transparency; a deep dive into the opportunities and challenges of UK Manufacturing with Maxxam Textiles’ Rosemary Moore and Somon Platts from Recomme; Breaking the Cycle – How to solve the landfill crisis with SATCoL and Pretty Lavish; Closing the Loop – How fashion marketplaces are contributing to the circular economy with Swoperz and Thrift+; plus the Source Fashion Catwalk show.
The Show continues today and tomorrow and you can still by clicking link here.
