Source Fashion, Europe's leading responsible sourcing show, wrapped up another successful edition with a remarkable 32 per cent increase in visitor numbers. Now in its third year, the event continues to serve as a key platform for retailers, brands, and wholesalers seeking ethical and responsible manufacturing partners worldwide. This year’s show attracted major retailers, fashion houses, and even sports brands like the NBA and West Ham Football Club, demonstrating its broad industry appeal.
Growing global participation and positive exhibitor response
Over 200 exhibitors from 20 key sourcing regions, including Turkey, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Egypt, China, India, the UK, France, Hong Kong, and Portugal, participated in the event. Leading brands such as John Lewis, Harrods, Next, Asos, Stella McCartney, River Island, Boohoo, and Barbour attended, highlighting the growing importance of responsible sourcing. Exhibitors praised the event for its ability to connect businesses with key buyers, helping them secure long-term partnerships.
Parneet Kaur from Achiever Apparel (India) noted strong engagement: “We’ve seen high footfall and have reconnected with previous clients while meeting new ones. The event builds trust, and it’s great to support both big players and emerging brands.” Luis Oliveira, CEO of Wonder Raw (Portugal), emphasized sustainability’s growing influence: “Sustainability is everywhere, and we should all be concerned about our footprint. This show connects us with like-minded businesses and ethical production partners.”
Industry leaders drive sustainability conversations
Beyond sourcing, Source Fashion has positioned itself as a thought leader in sustainability and supply chain management. Its content program, spread across two stages - The Source Catwalk and Source Debate Stage, offered insights into sustainability, supply chain risk, international trade, and innovation. Discussions tackled pressing industry challenges, from supply chain transparency to circular fashion solutions.
Caryn Franklin MBE, a fashion activist, underscored the event’s impact: “Source Fashion is where I learn and gain knowledge outside my expertise. It’s empowering to see experts shaping the future of sustainable fashion.” Simon Platts, Founder of SP&KO Consultancy, highlighted the event’s rapid growth: “It’s moved on significantly in just six months. The show is about building a community across sourcing, design, tech, and sustainability, ensuring it remains relevant to industry needs.”
One of the standout sessions explored how the fashion industry can bridge the talent gap by better aligning academia with industry needs. Experts from Next and Vollebak emphasized the importance of fostering graduate involvement to create a skilled, sustainability-conscious workforce. Another key discussion led by Sasha McFarlane of Future-Proof Fashion focused on Project Interlace, a six-month initiative aligning supply chains with demand signals to reduce overproduction and waste.
A must-attend event for ethical sourcing
Suzanne Ellingham, Event Director of Source Fashion, celebrated the show’s success: “We have built a trusted buying platform that not only promotes responsible sourcing but also drives job creation, education programs, and stability in manufacturing communities. This show has created a game-changing impact in just three years.”
With its growing influence and expanding community of sustainability-focused businesses, Source Fashion has become a must-attend event for industry leaders. The next edition will take place from July 8-10, 2025, continuing its mission to transform fashion sourcing for a more responsible future.
