British Textile Week: a digital showcase of the craftsmanship, creativity and technical skills of the UK textile industry.

Normally the month of September is when top British textile companies would be showing their offering at international apparel fabric trade shows in Europe such as Premiere Vision Paris, putting the spotlight on some of the leaders in British textile industry.  But in the absence of many of such events this season, cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions, the UKFT has launched British Textile Week online to provide a digital showcase of the craftsmanship, creativity and technical skills of the UK textile industry.  This digital showcase is valuable resource for those seeking British talent, flair and skills.  The British industry is known for the mills ability to blend creativity with commerciality in printed, woven, knitted and embroidered textile designs.

UK fabrics are highly sought after by the world’s most prestigious designers, tailors and fashion brands as the starting point for their collections.  Exports of  British textiles reach almost every country in the world to the tune of £3 billion.  

Meanwhile UKFT is supporting two of the country's most established fabric producers: Linton Tweeds and Liberty Fabrics who will be exhibiting at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics in China this week, from September 23-25.  This has been made possible through the Department of International Trade’s Tradeshow Access Programme.  China is an increasingly important market for British textile creations.

Linton Tweeds will be exhibiting its innovative collection of fantasy tweed fabrics.  The firm plans to develop the China market further, in collaboration with its local agent.

Liberty Fabrics will also be exhibiting their iconic printed fabric collectio.  They have an established sales office in Shanghai to develop the market further.

The UK’s textile manufacturing sector produces £5.8bn of materials, ranging from the world’s most sought-after cashmere to the finest worsted wool, luxurious tweeds and distinctive tartans. In addition to the world-renowned apparel fabrics that will be featured during British Textile Week, the UK textile industry also produces high quality fabrics and accessories for the home and contract interiors sectors,  plus a wide range of technical textiles and performance fabrics that are used in industries such as medical, defence and aerospace.

There are more than 4,200 businesses manufacturing textiles in the UK – an increase of 12% in the last five years – in a sector that employs more than 64,000 people.

UKFT is coordinating the project, with the support of The Clothworkers’ Company and the Campaign for Wool.

The UK has a strong textile heritage and also a promising future – with more than 4,800 people studying textiles at university each year on courses including textile design, textile technology and textile engineering.

All information on British Textile Week can be found on the UKFT website. 

You can also get inspiration on fabric trends and colour from leading British mills by going to the British Textile Trends for AW 21/22 page.  

Photos by Lucia Carpio: A selection of world class British fabrics on show in the UKFT booth at a recent Premiere Vision Paris trade fair.