Latest news with #AutumnFair
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Autumn fair to bring back Pitch Live in September, Fashion Pitch to happen on day three
Pitch Live is to make a return to Birmingham's Autumn Fair (7–10 September) providing a platform 'where creativity meets opportunity' as part of the competition-based event's 'commitment to fostering innovation, supporting emerging brands, and driving retail success'. Here, exhibitors can pitch their latest product innovations in a 'Dragons' Den'-style format, 'gaining invaluable feedback, increasing brand visibility, and potentially securing new listings with top retailers'. The competition spans key sectors including Kids, Fashion, and Gift -- each with its own dedicated pitching session during the show (Kids Product Pitch, Monday 8 September at 15:30; Fashion Product Pitch, Tuesday 9 September at 15:30; and Gift Product Pitch, Wednesday 10 September at 10:45). Finalists are shortlisted from sector entries and invited to pitch live on the newly created Retail Corner stage, engaging directly with a panel of judges. The winner of Pitch Live will receive 2 sq m space off their stand at Autumn Fair 2026, plus two one-hour consultancy sessions with Sharon Good, CEO of Good Results PR, offering mentoring, press relations, and strategic advice to accelerate their business growth. Soraya Gadelrab, event director of Autumn Fair, said: 'For exhibitors, Pitch Live is more than a competition, it's a powerful springboard to raise brand awareness, build valuable industry connections, and receive expert guidance. For buyers, it's the leading destination to discover the newest, most innovative products across Autumn Fair's diverse sectors, all in one place. We can't wait to welcome our entrants to the stage and support their retail journey.'
Fashion Network
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Autumn fair to bring back Pitch Live in September, Fashion Pitch to happen on day three
Pitch Live is to make a return to Birmingham's Autumn Fair (7–10 September) providing a platform 'where creativity meets opportunity' as part of the competition-based event's 'commitment to fostering innovation, supporting emerging brands, and driving retail success'. Here, exhibitors can pitch their latest product innovations in a 'Dragons' Den'-style format, 'gaining invaluable feedback, increasing brand visibility, and potentially securing new listings with top retailers'. The competition spans key sectors including Kids, Fashion, and Gift -- each with its own dedicated pitching session during the show (Kids Product Pitch, Monday 8 September at 15:30; Fashion Product Pitch, Tuesday 9 September at 15:30; and Gift Product Pitch, Wednesday 10 September at 10:45). Finalists are shortlisted from sector entries and invited to pitch live on the newly created Retail Corner stage, engaging directly with a panel of judges. The winner of Pitch Live will receive 2 sq m space off their stand at Autumn Fair 2026, plus two one-hour consultancy sessions with Sharon Good, CEO of Good Results PR, offering mentoring, press relations, and strategic advice to accelerate their business growth. Soraya Gadelrab, event director of Autumn Fair, said: 'For exhibitors, Pitch Live is more than a competition, it's a powerful springboard to raise brand awareness, build valuable industry connections, and receive expert guidance. For buyers, it's the leading destination to discover the newest, most innovative products across Autumn Fair's diverse sectors, all in one place. We can't wait to welcome our entrants to the stage and support their retail journey.'
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
New warning system to be introduced for bin collections in Belfast
Under the new guidelines, set to be phased in from August 4, bins that can't be fully closed or containing plastic liners which can catch in the lorry will receive an amber tag as their first warning. The tag will contain information on how to correctly leave bins out for collection and how to make extra room for waste. From September 29, households that continue to not follow the guidelines will receive a red tag meaning their bins will not be emptied. Councillor Ruth Brooks, chair of the council's people and communities committee, explained that the move is aimed at helping residents recycle and keep on top of their waste while also maintaining the safety of staff. 'This is about helping Belfast residents recycle more and get on top of their household waste, while keeping our staff safe at work,' said councillor Brooks. 'Many other councils already follow these guidelines and, while our crews have always done their best to support households on collection day, we need to take a consistent approach to how bins are presented and emptied city-wide. 'This will reduce the risk of accidents at work and also reflect upcoming changes to how our lorries operate in terms of emptying bins which are overflowing or have liners attached. 'By following these guidelines, households can support a cleaner environment and help our crews deliver what is a very vital but underrated service - one which we all reply on, in every corner of our city. 'Please take some time to look at how best to sort your waste and present your bins properly on collection day - look for posters in your local community or through your door, chat to our resource advisors who will be at upcoming events like Freshers' Week and the Autumn Fair, share our social media posts with your neighbours and head to our website if you're not sure about anything or want to check a particular item.' BCC has reminded residents of the updated collection guidelines, which include a ban on bin liners in any bins and a warning that extra bags left beside bins will not be collected. Residents have also been advised to ensure bin lids are fully closed, and are being asked to make full use of recycling bins or boxes to help create more space in bins. Bins should be clearly marked with your house number, with only one black bin permitted per household, unless previously approved for extra capacity. BBC has also urged people to sort recycling correctly by placing items in the appropriate bin or box and to ensure bins are out by 7am and brought back in by 8pm on collection day.
Fashion Network
09-07-2025
- Business
- 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
- Business
- 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.'
