the UK’s newest trade show

Source Fashion

Looking to responsibly source new raw materials, fabrics, trims and packaging? New trade show Source Fashion returns to London this February as a one-stop-shop for buying, sourcing and procurement decision makers.

Opening its doors on 18-20 February 2024 at Olympia London, visitors to the Source Fashion event will get the chance to connect with 450 international suppliers and manufacturers from 25 countries, including new additions from Lithuania, Mongolia and Tanzania, as well as British businesses.

Launched in 2023 with the aim of being a trade event that enables more responsible sourcing across the fashion industry, all exhibitors are required to be certified by a global audit institution to ensure the sustainability and transparency of their business.

Suzanne Ellingham, director of sourcing at Source Fashion, tells us about the upcoming show.

Suzanne Ellingham, Source Fashion

Why should people visit Source Fashion?

Returning for its third show at Olympia London in February, Source Fashion offers a unique and unmissable experience for decision makers in buying, sourcing and procurement. They will get to meet more than 450 manufacturers and suppliers from 25 countries, across a range of sectors including fabrics, clothing, packaging and footwear.

They also have the added reassurance of knowing that every exhibitor has been audited to ensure responsibility and transparency remains at the heart of their business model. As an event we are proud to have an entire show floor of businesses who share our values.

The show’s over-arching values are responsibility, inspiration and connection. Tell us about this.

The definition of “source” is “where things originate”, and our show is a place where buyers come to discover everything that will bring their new collections to life, whether that is ranges made through large-scale manufacturers or smaller makers.

We champion responsibility. It is not just an addition to our show, it is our core value. Beautiful products can be made ethically, and still be profitable, so we bring together manufacturers practising environmental, transparent and fair-trade methods, with brands and retailers looking to source sustainably.

We also want to encourage meaningful connections. We are passionate about bringing the brightest minds in the industry together.

Why do you believe that transparency and accountability are key to sourcing more sustainably?

We all know that it is fundamentally impossible for an industry centred around the sale of new products not to have an environmental impact. Sustainability and consumption are just not natural bedfellows. You ask someone what sustainable means – well, ask 10 people – and you will get 10 different answers. When there is no consistent definition or goalpost, it becomes meaningless. Anyone can claim they are sustainable – and often everyone does – and therein lies the problem. It is becoming harder and harder to separate leaders who are truly doing things differently and moving in a better direction, where their core values as a business are ones that are going to make a difference in their ecosystem. Many brands and retailers understand that sustainability is a journey, but without transparency and accountability it is meaningless.

Source Fashion

Let’s assume we all want to reduce our environmental impact. To do that we need to have transparency over what our actual impact is, and then we need to be accountable for changing that. Sounds easy? It’s not. But once we know where we are, let’s talk about where we have collective challenges.

True transparency means, for the first time, we can all see where problems lie, and we can also see where people are finding new ways of working that we can all learn from.

What can visitors expect at the next show? What is new?

With more than 450 manufacturers and suppliers, February will be our biggest show to date.

We are also welcoming some new, emerging markets such as Mongolia, Tanzania and Lithuania, as they exhibit for the first time at Source Fashion.

We also have our Source Catwalk, which hosts a new show influenced by the key trends of the autumn/winter 2024 season and will showcase the latest in responsible fashion. This will take place three times a day during the show.

Visitors can also listen to the latest industry insights, with speakers and seminars being held throughout the show.

For the first time we have also opened up the balcony in the National Hall for a new section called Source Luxury, which will showcase premium manufacturers and suppliers.

What are your highlights from the list of exhibitors? What are you looking forward to seeing?

There is a brilliant mix of returning and new exhibitors at February’s show. One of our highlights is Jonon – a Mongolian wool and cashmere manufacturer. Its goal is to introduce high-quality Mongolian wool and cashmere products worldwide, and to do so ethically.

It is committed to being a socially responsible company as it works with and supports the business activities of a range of herder families. Its wool is sourced by hand combing each yak, goat and camel individually every year when the animals shed their winter coats. This process is completely renewable and sustainable.

The animals grow a new fleece each year and survive on self-replenishing vegetation.

We are also excited to be increasing the amount of UK exhibitors at the show. Returning for its third show in a row, Walter Reginald produces a wide range of finished leathers, suedes and sheepskins that are ideal for garments, footwear, leather goods, handbags, interiors and costumes.

Since 1948, the family-run business has been supplying leather to big brands, independent designers, retailers and direct to consumer. It works with artisan tanneries around the world to offer a variety of classic and unusual leathers. Many of its tanneries are certified by the not-for-profit Leather Working Group.