ThreadChain: A New Digital Platform to Support Leicester’s Fashion Manufacturing Future

The Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) is proud to announce the soft launch of ThreadChain – a new digital platform created to support and elevate Leicester’s factories, designers, and fashion creatives by opening up direct-to-consumer sales and made-to-order garment production.

Following a recent board meeting, ATMF confirmed its commitment to backing the UK’s garment-making industry with fresh thinking and innovative revenue streams. ThreadChain is the result: a bold new e-commerce hub designed to champion sustainable, ethical, and local manufacturing.

ThreadChain by ATMF provides two key functions:

• Deadstock Marketplace – Enables factories to sell surplus and deadstock garments directly to creatives and consumers, reducing waste and supporting circular fashion practices.
• Made-to-Order Production – A new offering where customers can design their own garments, which are then produced on demand by a trusted network of local Leicester factories.

The launch builds on the momentum generated by the Leicester Made event, which brought together over 1,000 attendees and 63 exhibitors, showcasing the strength and potential of the UK’s garment production capabilities.

Fashion retail leader Fiona Lambert, who has been a champion of the initiative, commented:

“After attending Leicester Made, I’m excited that this could be a turning point for Leicester and UK manufacturing. I visited a great factory on Monday, designed and had this dress sample by Friday—and it could be in production using stock fabrics next week.

“I’m working with ATMF and Fashion-Enter Ltd/FashionCapital to create made-to-order production that supports skills and jobs, and promotes a truly sustainable way of manufacturing.”

As a federation built to support its members, ATMF recognises that innovation, collaboration, and bold action are critical. While the launch of ThreadChain is just the beginning, it marks a vital step toward creating a more connected, ethical, and economically resilient manufacturing future.

“We are realistic. We know this platform will take time to grow. But forging new opportunities, connecting sub-sectors, and driving innovation is exactly what a federation like ours should be doing,” said a spokesperson for ATMF.

ThreadChain is now live at www.threadchain.co.uk and open to creatives, consumers, and manufacturers ready to participate in shaping the future of fashion.

Special thanks to Fiona Lambert for her ongoing support and to the team whose hard work brought this project to life: Kelly Yiu and Miles Anderson at Midori, Suzy, Jo Bean, Divya Kamath, and the team at the Fashion Technology Academy in Leicester. Acknowledgement also goes to ATMF Directors Tejas Shah and Shehzaad for their leadership.