The leading sourcing show, Source Fashion, opened on the 19th of February, welcoming a wide array of manufacturers, suppliers and artisans from over 20 countries.
“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 beautifully made clothing,” said Suzanne Ellingham, director of sourcing at Source Fashion.
The show included a keynote discussion with leading British fashion designer Patrick McDowell, who showcased his “Marie Antoinette Goes to Liverpool” collection. This collection featured designs that embody the mission of reinventing luxury through a sustainable mindset whilst blending classic silhouettes with contemporary Liverpudlian twists.
“Versailles was its own microclimate with hair and dresses getting bigger and bigger. It reminded me of Liverpool, which also had its own microclimate of fashion,” explained McDowell.
Fashion enthusiasts gathered to hear Geraldine Wharry’s discussion on Fashion Futurology- Macro Trends Re-Defining the Future Fashion Factory. Whilst engaging with the audience, Wharry encouraged people to put the greater good of putting people and the planet first while delivering goods and profit. She also proposed that the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) will make it harder for brands to create false sustainability claims.
“It will become harder and harder for brands to hide their supply chain and production methods,” stated Wharry. “We’ll be able to train AI to find out,”
