Fashion – Enter Ltd and ATMF Champion British Manufacturing and Skills at Source Fashion
16-01-2026
The latest three-day edition of Source Fashion (13th – 15th January) concluded on a high at Olympia London, reaffirming its position as a key platform for responsible sourcing, British manufacturing and meaningful buyer engagement across the fashion supply chain.
(Over 100 exhibitors at Source London January 2026)
Among the exhibitors was Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL), alongside the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF). ATMF brought eight Leicester-based brands to showcase on its stand, highlighting the strength, diversity and growing confidence of UK garment manufacturing. Feedback from participating brands was overwhelmingly positive, with strong interest from both established buyers and emerging start-ups looking to source closer to home.
(Fashion-Enter Ltd at Source London)
Throughout the three days, the show floor remained busy, with Source Fashion reporting a 16% increase in visitors and a 12% rise in exhibitors compared to the previous edition. Buyers and sourcing teams from major retailers and brands including Marks & Spencer, NEXT, ASOS, Boohoo, Harrods, New Look, Lucy & Yak and Never Fully Dressed were in attendance, underlining the commercial relevance of the event.
(ATMF stand at Source London)
Skills, repair and circularity in focus
In addition to exhibiting, Fashion-Enter Ltd hosted a hands-on repair and upcycling workshop, reinforcing the growing industry focus on skills development, circularity and extending the life of garments.
The workshop was led by John Herrera, designer and tutor, alongside Lan Leeder, who spoke about the training and education opportunities available through FEL and the Fashion Technology Academy (FTA). John provided one-to-one guidance on embellishment and stitching techniques, while attendees were encouraged to experiment with visible mending and creative repairs.
(John leading the repair and upcycle workshop at Source London)
Lan Leeder said: “For Source Fashion, John and I led a practical, beginner-friendly workshop on visible mending, simple repairs, and creative upcycling ideas – perfect for anyone wanting to refresh old clothes, reduce waste, and build confidence in basic sewing skills. It was a great turnout with over 10 people participating in two workshops. Learning basic hand-sewing, to decorating own clothes, and tips on repairing and upcycling clothes from old clothing.”
The sessions attracted strong interest from visitors keen to better understand garment construction, repair techniques and sustainable alternatives to disposal, reflecting the industry’s increasing focus on end-of-life solutions and circular design.
(Lan promoting the FTA at Source London)
British manufacturing takes centre stage
The British Pavilion was a major highlight of the show, drawing sustained interest from buyers seeking locally made, transparent and responsibly produced garments. Exhibitors across the Pavilion reported high-quality conversations and new commercial leads, with both start-ups and established brands showing renewed appetite for UK production.
This sentiment echoed strongly with the experience of FEL and ATMF exhibitors, many of whom noted a shift in perceptions around the value, flexibility and responsiveness of British manufacturing.
A positive outlook for the industry
As Source Fashion closed its doors, the overall mood was one of optimism and momentum. Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director at Source Fashion, noted the growing commitment from brands to bring production closer to home while also addressing sustainability and end-of-life considerations through repair, remanufacturing and circular models.
With strong buyer engagement, increased attendance and a clear focus on responsible sourcing, skills and collaboration, this edition of Source Fashion marked a significant step forward for the UK fashion industry.
The next edition of Source Fashion will take place in London from 7th – 9th July 2026, continuing to connect buyers, brands and manufacturers committed to building a more transparent, resilient and responsible fashion supply chain.
