London Fashion Week

We are now in the middle of London Fashion Week which is actually spread over 5 days between 14th and 18th September featuring 62 catwalk shows and 20 presentations involving 110 UK and international emerging and established ready-to-wear and accessory designers at The Exhibition, details of which can be found at http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/news.

Bearing in mind the lessons of Vespasian (see earlier blog) this seems like an opportunity to make a bid to support the British textile industry.  100 years ago it employed a million workers, now there are only around 190,000 employed in the industry and most of those are at the luxury end of the market.  As eastern imports are becoming more expensive isn't this a good time to make a push to revive manufacture in the UK.  Marks and Spencer used to resource 90% of their products from UK manufacturers.  Some years ago they switched to sourcing their fashion from China to reduce costs but it also seriously impaired the quality of their goods.  The last couple of things I bought from M&S, bearing in mind I used to be a regular customer, were disastrous.  The top was a lovely colour but ill-fitting and uncomfortable, the belt fell apart within hours.  Consequently I have not bought any fashion items from M&S for at least the last four years. As a result - not all down to me I hasten to add - their profits have steadily fallen.  Here is a great moment for them to stem the tide and pledge their support for British manufacturing. 

 

In the 60s the fashion industry played a big part in boosting a troubled economy with young people designing and making their own clothes, selling them on market stalls and in small boutiques.  It was a great burst of creativity that made life a lot of fun and it spilled out into other areas of design and manufacturing.  So young people out there looking for work get creative.  Get stylish.  Get sewing. Get busy.  Making stuff is very satisfying.  And old gals like me (M&S please note) do not want clothes that are frumpy and drab but we do need good tailoring.