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As London Fashion Week drew to a close, the British Fashion Council launched an initiative aimed at giving fashion talent outside the capital greater access to the industry, according to the BBC.
Fashion Britain featured events in England, Wales and Scotland, with organisers seeking to demonstrate that British fashion is “bigger than London”. Northern Ireland was not included this year but is expected to take part in the initiative next year.
A House of Commons report found that London generated 51% of the creative industries’ economic output in 2022. It also identified creative-industry clusters in other parts of the UK, including Manchester and Leeds.
Designers highlight opportunities outside the capital
Charles Jeffrey, founder and creative director of the international fashion label “Loverboy”, said many aspiring designers believed they had to move to London to succeed because the capital offered the best schools and industry connections.
However, the Scottish designer said strong education and creative talent could be found in other locations. He also noted that fashion resources, including fabrics, could be considerably cheaper outside London.
Birmingham City University graduate Imarnie Bennett travelled to London to present a project developed with fellow graduates at Somerset House. The 22-year-old said Birmingham was becoming increasingly recognised for its creative work.
Fellow graduate Sean Pajarillo, 25, said the growing connection between technology and fashion could create new career opportunities for people who did not live in London.
Initiative aims to build regional connections
Natalie Potter, network director at the British Fashion Council, said Fashion Britain was intended to recognise that British fashion extended beyond the capital.
Events held ahead of London Fashion Week took place in London, Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Dundee and Cardiff. Potter said the longer-term goal was to connect regional talent with the infrastructure and opportunities needed to grow, including retail access and mentorship from major businesses.
British designer Priya Ahluwalia said practical support would be essential. She argued that talented designers from across the UK, including the north, Wales and Scotland, needed help accessing the industry.
Ahluwalia said London would likely remain the centre of UK fashion, even if the sector became more decentralised. She called for support that would allow designers to travel to the capital and present their work there.
Jeffrey added that while a university degree could help open doors, success ultimately depended on the quality of a designer’s work and their work ethic.
