Source Fashion releases debate line-up, looks at ethical AI, decoupling profit from volume, sustainable luxury
Promising to deliver 'Provocative Conversations', the 'bold and unfiltered platform' aims to tackle 'fashion's most
urgent challenges and exploring the ideas shaping its future'.
Headliners include Jade McSorley, head of Knowledge Exchange (Sustainability) at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF). Her presentation-- 'AI - Just because we can, does it mean we should?' -- explores the 'intersection of artificial intelligence and human-led design. How do we ensure ethics, ownership, and creativity stay intact?'
'Can we decouple profit from volume - or is that a fantasy?' will be presented by Simon Platts, founder of SP&KO Consultancy, who discusses whether reducing output can sharpen commercial strategy and increase brand value.
Mark Sumner, Textiles Programme lead for WRAP, reimagines fashion's supply chain from the ground up via 'Rethinking the rules - what would a smarter fashion system look like?' and asks what it would look like 'if we priced for reality, not just margins'.
'Can luxury fashion really be sustainable?' is presented by Dax Lovegrove, consultant - Planet Positive and former director of Sustainability for Versace, who 'confronts the contradictions at the heart of high-end fashion, examining whether true sustainability can exist amid exclusivity, global supply chains, and opacity'.
'Each session invites attendees to engage with real-world issues and bold ideas, offering a dynamic space for collective insight and practical discussion', said event organiser Hyve.
Suzanne Ellingham, event director of Source Fashion, added: 'The Source Debates Stage is designed to ask difficult questions and encourage collective problem-solving. As businesses are being tested like never before, these sessions are a call to arms provoking honest discussion about what needs to change, and how we get there together.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Network
10-07-2025
- Fashion Network
Source Fashion launches £500,000 scheme to support British heritage manufacturers
The selected businesses will receive support for three consecutive editions of the show, a move designed to 'help them build long-term visibility and growth'. Suzanne Ellingham, event director of the show, said: 'As [we grow] into the largest manufacturing sourcing show in Europe, we believe it's our responsibility to support the brilliant manufacturers we have here in the UK. 'This is about more than just giving away stands. We're investing in the future of British manufacturing by helping these businesses tell their stories, connect with international buyers, and grow sustainably. It's a small way that we can give back, while also making sure UK manufacturing is properly represented on the global stage.' She said the programme will be open to a diverse range of UK manufacturers, from heritage textiles in Scotland to component specialists in the Midlands and South. It aims to address 'a long-standing lack of support for British producers who often struggle to afford the costs of exhibiting, especially when compared to government-subsidised competitors abroad'. Under the initiative, each business will receive a free stand at three consecutive Source Fashion shows in January 2026, July 2026 and January 2027; dedicated bespoke PR and marketing campaigns; and exposure through Source Fashion's global content channels. In its selection process, Source Fashion said it will work with its advisory board to identify manufacturers and makers that would benefit from the show. 'This initiative will become a permanent fixture of the show,' Ellingham added. 'Every 18 months, we'll refresh the pavilion with a new group of 15–20 heritage manufacturers and help them grow with us. The goal is that, by show four, they're thriving, confident exhibitors in their own right. If they're not quite there yet, that's okay too. This is about building something lasting, not transactional.' The first full cohort of heritage manufacturers will be announced in September. While most participants are still under wraps, organisers have confirmed outreach has already begun, and standout British businesses have already been selected to join the inaugural pavilion. They include Courtnery and Co, the last remaining button manufacturer in the UK, and Alexander Manufacturing, one of the last remaining luxury garment manufacturers in Scotland. 'These companies represent the exceptional craftsmanship and highlight how special British manufacturing and heritage can be. The scheme aims to spotlight, with more names to be revealed in the coming months', it said.
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Fashion Network
Source Fashion sees record-breaking day-one attendance
In only its second edition as a midweek show, Source Fashion said it saw 'unprecedented opening day attendance' on Tuesday. The record-breaking start at London's Olympia included a number of big names and prominent independent businesses such as John Lewis, M&S, All Saints, Next, Temperley London, River Island, Joules, Lucy & Yak, Bad Monday, Jaded London and Gigi & Olive. The event features 250 'responsible' manufacturers from 22+ key sourcing regions (including the UK itself as well as, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, and China). And those more used to visiting Pure London in July (now part of Spring fair and Autumn Fair in Birmingham) and seeing its popular catwalk shows were still able to see such shows with Source's runway drawing large crowds. It showcased three key trends being seen at the event: Electric Nature, Retro Richness, and Creative Joy. And headline partner Reskinned presented an edit of pre-owned pieces that supported the importance of resale and reuse to any sourcing operation. The Source Debates stages also proved to be a big draw with subjects ranging from whether consumers really will pay more for sustainable fashion, what it will take to make that happen and whether the 'sustainable shopper' even exists. Rachel Gray of WRAP said that 'people love to make the right decisions, but life gets in the way. If we want to see real change, we need to match good information with real-life convenience'. And Jane Blacklock, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) for outdoor clothing label Passenger talked about the need to build clothing with a second life in mind so you can 'buy it once, wear it all the time, love it, and then repair it'. In a similar vein, one session 'explored how fashion can challenge the volume-equals-profit mindset and make a compelling case for post-growth business models'. 'If you build brand loyalty first and treat your brand like it has a purpose, it's a lot easier to sell,' said Charlie Jones of Phase London. And Nick Reed of Neem London added that 'when a customer buys from us, they're buying an asset. We take it back at end of life, any brand, any condition, and that creates a more valuable, circular relationship'. The general message was that 'collaboration, transparency, and bold thinking are key to reshaping growth in fashion, not just economically, but environmentally and ethically'. Of course, some might be inclined to think that this is all very well for smaller, ethically-founded brands with more niche customers. But Linda Peddie, COO and CIO of New Look, showed that the issue is a live one at major mass-market brands too. Yet she also highlighted the challenges. 'The reality is, you have to make the whole system work,' she said, stressing the need for aligned legislation, better data, and industry-wide collaboration. Meanwhile, 'sustainability veteran' Simon Platts, founder of SP&KO Consultancy, drew on decades of experience at brands including ASOS, and argued that 'overconsumption, not market volatility, is the real barrier to meaningful progress'. He called for a shift to 'more commercially sustainable practices, underpinned by transparency, better data, and genuine supply chain engagement'. And of course, speakers also spoke of the importance of consumer education. In terms of visitors from abroad, while we hear a lot about barriers to trade that are happening, but we tend to hear less about markets that are opening up. Yet Aude Priya Wacziarg director at sourcing specialist Francis Wacziarg Group, said: 'It's our first time in the UK, because India and the UK have signed a treaty for trade and now, we want to come here often.' That's likely to be a sentiment repeated across the trade show season as far as Indian buyers and supplier are concerned. Event director Suzanne Ellingham hailed the 'energy on the show floor' and also said that 'what's really exciting is that this isn't just a sourcing show, it's become a space for honest conversations, innovation, and real collaboration. The response to our content programme, on the Source Catwalk and Source Debates stage, shows just how hungry the industry is for transparency and change, and to have honest conversations about how we drive that change together.'
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Fashion Network
Source Fashion sees record-breaking day-one attendance, Indian visitors stronger on trade deal
In only its second edition as a midweek show, Source Fashion said it saw 'unprecedented opening day attendance' on Tuesday. The record-breaking start at London's Olympia included a number of big names and prominent independent businesses such as John Lewis, M&S, All Saints, Next, Temperley London, River Island, Joules, Lucy & Yak, Bad Monday, Jaded London and Gigi & Olive. The event features 250 'responsible' manufacturers from 22+ key sourcing regions (including the UK itself as well as, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, and China). And those more used to visiting Pure London in July (now part of Spring fair and Autumn Fair in Birmingham) and seeing its popular catwalk shows were still able to see such shows with Source's runway drawing large crowds. It showcased three key trends being seen at the event: Electric Nature, Retro Richness, and Creative Joy. And headline partner Reskinned presented an edit of pre-owned pieces that supported the importance of resale and reuse to any sourcing operation. The Source Debates stages also proved to be a big draw with subjects ranging from whether consumers really will pay more for sustainable fashion, what it will take to make that happen and whether the 'sustainable shopper' even exists. Rachel Gray of WRAP said that 'people love to make the right decisions, but life gets in the way. If we want to see real change, we need to match good information with real-life convenience'. And Jane Blacklock, head of environmental, social and governance (ESG) for outdoor clothing label Passenger talked about the need to build clothing with a second life in mind so you can 'buy it once, wear it all the time, love it, and then repair it'. In a similar vein, one session 'explored how fashion can challenge the volume-equals-profit mindset and make a compelling case for post-growth business models'. 'If you build brand loyalty first and treat your brand like it has a purpose, it's a lot easier to sell,' said Charlie Jones of Phase London. And Nick Reed of Neem London added that 'when a customer buys from us, they're buying an asset. We take it back at end of life, any brand, any condition, and that creates a more valuable, circular relationship'. The general message was that 'collaboration, transparency, and bold thinking are key to reshaping growth in fashion, not just economically, but environmentally and ethically'. Of course, some might be inclined to think that this is all very well for smaller, ethically-founded brands with more niche customers. But Linda Peddie, COO and CIO of New Look, showed that the issue is a live one at major mass-market brands too. Yet she also highlighted the challenges. 'The reality is, you have to make the whole system work,' she said, stressing the need for aligned legislation, better data, and industry-wide collaboration. Meanwhile, 'sustainability veteran' Simon Platts, founder of SP&KO Consultancy, drew on decades of experience at brands including ASOS, and argued that 'overconsumption, not market volatility, is the real barrier to meaningful progress'. He called for a shift to 'more commercially sustainable practices, underpinned by transparency, better data, and genuine supply chain engagement'. And of course, speakers also spoke of the importance of consumer education. In terms of visitors from abroad, while we hear a lot about barriers to trade that are happening, but we tend to hear less about markets that are opening up. Yet Aude Priya Wacziarg director at sourcing specialist Francis Wacziarg Group, said: 'It's our first time in the UK, because India and the UK have signed a treaty for trade and now, we want to come here often.' That's likely to be a sentiment repeated across the trade show season as far as Indian buyers and supplier are concerned. Event director Suzanne Ellingham hailed the 'energy on the show floor' and also said that 'what's really exciting is that this isn't just a sourcing show, it's become a space for honest conversations, innovation, and real collaboration. The response to our content programme, on the Source Catwalk and Source Debates stage, shows just how hungry the industry is for transparency and change, and to have honest conversations about how we drive that change together.'
