Source Fashion, Europe’s leading responsible sourcing show, opened its doors to record-breaking visitor numbers yesterday.
United by a shared commitment to driving meaningful change in the fashion and retail sectors, attendees explored pioneering sustainable solutions and formed powerful new connections that will shape the future of the industry. This year's show features an exceptional line-up of 250 responsible manufacturers from around the world, from over 22 key sourcing regions, including UK, Portugal, Morocco, India, Nepal, Italy, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Türkiye, France, China and more.
Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion said, "The energy on the show floor today has been incredible. We've welcomed record numbers of engaged purposeful visitors, from independent retailers to global brands, all here to explore new, responsible ways of doing business with new partners. What's really exciting is that this isn't just a sourcing show, it's become a space for honest conversations, innovation, and real collaboration. The response to our content programme, on the Source Catwalk and Source Debates stage, shows just how hungry the industry is for transparency and change, and to have honest conversations about how we drive that change together. Seeing our community here with such intent on day one sets the tone for a powerful few days ahead."
The Source Catwalk Show drew crowds with standout collections from across the show floor, showcasing three key trends: Electric Nature, Retro Richness, and Creative Joy, each capturing the spirit of the season.
Headline partner Reskinned presented a powerful edit of pre-loved pieces that proved resale, reuse, and repurposing can be both stylish and statement-making and on trend.
The Source Catwalk and Source Debates stages hosted dynamic panels and lively conversations that ignited real industry dialogue. Leading voices from fashion and retail tackled the sector's most urgent challenges, while uncovering bold opportunities for meaningful, lasting change. When Will Consumers Really Pay More – Are Consumers Ready? unpacked whether the "sustainable shopper" truly exists, and what it will take for consumers to pay more for ethical fashion. The panel moderated by Anna Berry (Retail 100 Consulting), and featuring Berni Yates (Central Saint Martins), Jo Hooper (NRBY Clothing), Jane Blacklock (Passenger), and Rachel Gray (WRAP) explored the tension between affordability and values-led purchasing, the power of transparency and storytelling, and how behaviour is beginning to shift through policy and resale markets. "People love to make the right decisions, but life gets in the way," noted Rachel Gray. "If we want to see real change, we need to match good information with real-life convenience." Jane Blacklock added, "You buy it once, wear it all the time, love it, and then repair it. That's how we build clothing with a second life in mind."
With honest reflections from both emerging and established brands, the panel made it clear: real change requires collaboration across the entire value chain, and a new kind of consumer relationship built on trust, education, and purpose. In another standout session, Fewer Products, Bigger Impact? Making the Business Case for a Post-Growth Model, Simon Platts (Moderator, SP&KO Consultancy), Nick Reed (Neem London), Charlie Jones (Phase London), and Helena Mansell-Stopher (Products of Change) explored how fashion can challenge the volume-equals-profit mindset and make a compelling case for post-growth business models. Together, they presented credible strategies for designing profitability around fewer, better products, from on-demand production and resale incentives to pooling resources and localised manufacturing.
"If you build brand loyalty first and treat your brand like it has a purpose, it's a lot easier to sell," said Charlie Jones. Nick Reed added, "When a customer buys from us, they're buying an asset. We take it back at end of life, any brand, any condition, and that creates a more valuable, circular relationship."
The panel emphasised that collaboration, transparency, and bold thinking are key to reshaping growth in fashion, not just economically, but environmentally and ethically. Speaking to Lauretta Roberts, Co-Founder and Editor of The Industry. Fashion, Linda Peddie, COO & CIO, New Look offered sharp insight into leading a major high street brand through retail volatility, digital transformation, and rising sustainability demands.
"The reality is, you have to make the whole system work," she said, calling for aligned legislation, better data, and industry-wide collaboration.
Highlighting the value of fresh thinking, Linda Peddie added, "The passion and energy for change may not come from where the industry is traditionally led, and that's exactly why we need to listen."
On the Source Debates Stage, sustainability veteran Simon Platts Founder SP&KO Consultancy lead an open discussion unpacking the urgent need for fashion to evolve beyond a volume-driven, profit-first model. Drawing on decades of experience at brands including ASOS, he argued that overconsumption, not market volatility, is the real barrier to meaningful progress. Platts called for a shift towards more commercially sustainable practices, underpinned by transparency, better data, and genuine supply chain engagement.
The session closed with a passionate call for industry-wide accountability and consumer education, reinforcing the need for bold leadership and systemic change. The buzz on content stages was echoed on the show floor and by exhibitors, many of whom praised the energy, quality of conversations, and the calibre of visitors attending Source Fashion's opening day.
Aude Priya Wacziarg Director at Francis Wacziarg Group commented, "I love the atmosphere here. The building, of course, is amazing, and there's so much diversity in the exhibitors. It's our first time in the UK, because India and the UK have signed a treaty for trade and now, we want to come here often."
Sourabh Kankaria, Creative Director and Atiglobal said, "I'm exhibiting at Source Fashion for the first time and this is a very well organised exhibition. There are buyers from all over UK as well as Europe, and I'm very excited to meet them and to show our product."
Alice Gao, Other Way Sports Ltd. commented, "First day of exhibiting today has been busy very good for orders and we are looking forward to the next two days. Customers have been very interested in products. Source Fashion is a very good show, it's the must attend event to meet a good audience of buyers. We will be back in February."
