Day one of Source Fashion, Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show, welcomed a host of brands including John Lewis, Jeff Banks London, River Island, The Oxford Shirt Company, Finisterre, Harrods, TJX and many more, keen to be part of the journey to progressive change in the retail industry.
Serving as a driving force for progress, Source Fashion, which is taking place at Olympia London till Tuesday, July 16th, offers a venue for buyers to engage with hundreds of ethical manufacturers and suppliers as well as the worldwide sourcing community. A stimulating and thought-provoking program of discussions and an inspiring sustainable catwalk show were also organized by the show.
When Jeff Banks, CBE, the designer, went to the show for the first time, he explained why he spent the Sunday afternoon there. “The real source of what you are designing is crucial, in my opinion as a designer. Therefore, I think it’s critical to understand what manufacturers can produce, where it’s made, and the layout and equipment of the plants. I find that the exhibitors at Source Fashion genuinely provide me with all of that information, which greatly simplifies my life.
“I’m going to keep it a secret, but there’s one exhibitor in particular that I came here expressly to meet, and I’ve already started dipping my toe in with—an Indian manufacturer that I find incredibly exciting! What interests me, though, is the chance to meet him here and the range of things he can produce; in fact, the quality, design, and ethic all align with my brand. Considering the variety of exhibitors here, I plan to return.
The Source Fashion Agenda
Nature’s Patina featured neutral tones on textured and open knits, along with earthy colors that seemed worn down over time.Craft Punk revived punk looks with added attitude and defiance by reimagining leather in new materials combined with denim and embroidery.Using knitted two-pieces and textured textiles in grounded greens, Emotive Nature investigated the restorative properties of herbs and flowers in a natural, flowing setting.Cartoon culture is all about pop culture and video games, and how they’re graphically represented in streetwear.
With items from her most recent totally biodegradable eveningwear collection, which included voluminous sleeves, elaborate yarn detailing, dramatic textured quilted dresses, and industrial style metalwork, headline designer Anna Pabissi ended the catwalk.
