The London Textile Fair, the biggest in the UK, is taking place at the Business Design Centre in Angel. The event showcases fabrics, accessories and vintage garments.
On its first day, the event attracted over 1500 buyers and designers who came to source products from the event’s over 300 exhibitors.
Being able to hold such a large-scale event in person has been a relief for industry professionals. Bronwen Morris, Exhibition Organiser, said: “It’s been really detrimental to the industry over the last few years not being able to see people in person, doing Zoom calls and seeing fabrics on screen.
“The whole industry has been in turmoil. We’ve had to cancel exhibitions, we’ve had to postpone them, manufacturers have lost big business, they’re having to raise their prices.”
According to Morris, the lifting of pandemic restrictions means “things will only get easier for everyone”.
Visitors travel from as far as the US to meet manufacturers.
“We are trying to promote sustainable products here because there’s such a demand for it growing year on year.”
Buyers coming to the show “have specific fabrics that they’re looking for and this is a fantastic opportunity to see so many different ones in the same place”, said Bronwen.
The event also has an environmental focus, with around 40% of the exhibitors including sustainable fashion element in their products.
Morris said: “We are trying to promote sustainable products here because there’s such a demand for it growing year on year.”
The mid-season London Textile Fair is open for the last day 9am-6pm today at the Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street.
