First Source Fashion at Excel London off to a flying start

Source Fashion, which is taking place at Excel London for the first time from 7-9 July to accommodate its largest and most international edition to date, with over 305 exhibitors from 19 countries, got off to a flying start on day one yesterday.

Marking the beginning of a “landmark new chapter” for the UK’s leading responsible sourcing show, which has previously called Olympia London its twice-yearly home, buying teams from Debenhams Group, John Lewis, Harvey Nichols, Marc Jacobs, Reiss, Percival, Omnes, Skinnydip London, Tesco, Gigi & Olive and Goddiva were among those exploring the exhibition floor on the first day.

Yoki Wang, Production Manager at Skinnydip London, said: “We've already identified a supplier from India that we feel meets our requirements, so the show has been really useful for us.

“Having Source Fashion here in London makes a real difference because it allows different members of our team to come in, explore new suppliers and continue those conversations.

“Being able to see products in person, discuss sampling and build relationships face to face really helps speed up the sourcing process.”

Busy aisles, packed content sessions and consistently active exhibitor stands created a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the ‘Reality of Manufacturing in the UK’ panel brought together Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director at Source Fashion organisers Hyve Group, Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion Capital, and Salli Deighton, founder of LaundRE, for a candid discussion on the future of British manufacturing.

Challenging long-held perceptions around cost and capacity, the panel highlighted how UK manufacturers are helping brands respond more quickly to trends while calling for greater industry recognition and stronger collaboration to unlock the sector's full potential.

Commenting on day one of the show, Suzanne Ellingham said: “Today has been everything we hoped this move to Excel London would achieve. The quality of buyers, the international reach of the show and, most importantly, the conversations taking place across the exhibition floor have reinforced that the industry is looking for practical solutions, not just products but partnerships and long-term solutions.

“Buyers are asking different questions about resilience, transparency, speed and innovation, and manufacturers are responding with genuine collaboration and expertise.

“What has been particularly encouraging is the appetite to challenge long-held assumptions, whether that's around British manufacturing, durability or building stronger supplier relationships.

“Source Fashion has always been about bringing the right people together and today has shown that the industry is ready to embrace new ways of thinking about sourcing. This feels like the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the show and for the industry it serves.”

Additionally, the ‘Balancing Cost, Speed and Durability in an Uncertain World’ panel brought together Sarah Coleman, Head of Development, Design & Sustainability at Margaret Howell, Jasmin Malik Chua, Climate & Labour Editor at Sourcing Journal, and Dr Kate Baker, EPR Technical Manager at WEFT, to explore how brands can build greater resilience into their sourcing strategies.

The discussion highlighted durability as both a commercial and sustainability priority, with panellists examining how long-term supplier relationships, product quality and customer trust are becoming increasingly important as brands navigate economic uncertainty, changing consumer expectations and evolving legislation.

Sarah Coleman commented: “Durability starts with the idea that something deserves a place in your wardrobe, not just for a season or two, but for years.”