The UK Government has launched a US $ 482.6 investment strategy to stimulate development and innovation across the creative industries—with fashion being a main pillar of the strategy. As part of the Secretary of State’s Department of Culture, Media, and Sports ‘Creative Industries Sector Plan’ initiative, the Government aims to strengthen the UK’s global footprint in fashion while promoting growth in the regions, talent, and international trade.
Included in the funding packet is continuing support for the British Fashion Council’s NewGen programme, which offers UK emerging designers the opportunity to show collections at London Fashion Week (LFW), along with mentorship and business resources. Money will also go toward LFW itself to continue to buttress its position as the cultural and commercial centre of global fashion.
The Department for Business and Trade will also enhance visibility internationally for UK fashion brands through global trade shows representation coupled with designer guest programmes. The strategy recognises the complexity of supply chains in fashion, and will also open a new Supply Chain Centre, to help reduce risk of disruption and build resilience.
British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir praised the move, calling it “a strong and welcome signal of recognition” for the cultural and economic value of the fashion sector. Weir pointed to LFW’s importance in the context of British creativity and commerce globally.
This fashion-focused investment is part of a larger drive to enhance the creative industries to contribute as much as it can to the economy by 2035, to establish the UK as a global creative superpower, and will envisage thousands of jobs in the process, whilst also protecting the future of critical industries such as fashion.
