Source: www.fibre2fashion.com


The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced Fashion Britain, a nationwide initiative aimed at broadening how fashion is experienced, celebrated and invested in across the United Kingdom, with a focus on extending opportunity and cultural participation beyond London.

The initiative is positioned as a major milestone in the BFC Strategy 2030: Access, Creativity and Growth. It is designed to bring together cities, cultural institutions, retailers, designers, businesses, educators and local communities on a platform connecting creativity, culture and commerce to unlock opportunities for designers, strengthen local creative economies and inspire the next generation of talent.

BFC has unveiled Fashion Britain, a nationwide platform to widen fashion investment, participation and visibility beyond London for designers. The initiative links cities, retailers, designers, educators and cultural institutions to support local creative economies and talent pipelines. It launches in September in six UK cities, with ELLE UK joining the National Designer Panel Series.

Fashion Britain is the latest strategic initiative under the BFC Strategy 2030 and follows the pilot launch of Fashion Assembly, which takes fashion education into schools across the country, the British Fashion Council said.

Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council said: "British fashion is one of our greatest cultural exports, yet for too long participation has been concentrated in too few places. Fashion Britain represents a fundamental shift in how we think about our role as the British Fashion Council. If we are truly Britain's fashion council, then our responsibility is to champion creativity wherever it exists, create opportunity, inspire ambition and ensure more people can see themselves in our industry, regardless of where they live."

Laura Weir, chief executive, British Fashion Council added: "Fashion Britain is about decentralising fashion, not by diminishing London's global importance, but by recognising that the future of British creativity depends on strengthening the connections between every part of the UK. Just as our leading national cultural institutions belong to the whole country, fashion should be experienced, celebrated and invested in across the whole country too. This is the beginning of that ambition."

The BFC said Fashion Britain will launch in September across six cultural cities: London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and Edinburgh. Each city will deliver a curated programme of public events, designer conversations, cultural collaborations and retail experiences that reflect local identity while linking communities to the wider fashion industry.

As part of the first programme announcements, the BFC is partnering with ELLE UK to launch the National Designer Panel Series, a programme of live conversations bringing together leading designers, industry voices and emerging talent. The series will take place across the participating cities and is intended to allow audiences to engage directly with people shaping British fashion while fostering dialogue, inspiration and new connections.

In the longer term, the BFC said the initiative will strengthen local creative economies, help develop the next generation of fashion talent and create pathways for designers and creatives to build sustainable careers within their own cities.

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com


The Organising Committee has concluded the first edition of the Syrian International Textile Exhibition – NasTex 2026, held at the Damascus Fairgrounds from 18 to 21 July 2026, under the gracious patronage of His Excellency the President of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The exhibition witnessed broad participation from government institutions, the private sector and international delegations. Its inaugural edition consolidated NasTex’s position as a national and international platform supporting Syrian industry and promoting investment and economic cooperation.

NasTex 2026 brought together 351 companies and exhibitors from 25 countries across an exhibition area exceeding 150,000 square metres. The event also featured a dialogue programme comprising 22 sessions and activities, ranging from lectures and training programmes to entertainment events.

The exhibition represented a strategic milestone in the process of economic recovery and became the largest economic gathering for textile-sector stakeholders in Syria. It brought together the different components of the value chain, including manufacturers, investors, suppliers, exporters, government institutions and international partners.

NasTex presented the textile sector’s integrated value chain, beginning with raw materials and natural fibres, continuing through spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing, and extending to advanced textile products, with the participation of leading local and international companies and industrial brands.

NasTex 2026 also served as a platform for launching and implementing a number of specialised initiatives and experiences designed to encourage innovation and investment in the textile sector.

The most notable initiatives included the natural silk production experience, the carbon-fibre project, the model factory for shemagh production, the latest textile machinery, the smart industrial cities model, the Business Hub, expert and decision-maker knowledge seminars, the heritage tent area, artificial intelligence and automation applications, Textile Week activities, and entrepreneurship competitions in textile innovation for Syrian entrepreneurs.

On the economic front, the Industrialists, Traders and Suppliers Hall witnessed intensive commercial activity that resulted in more than 320 business deals, strengthening opportunities for supply, manufacturing and expansion in local and international markets.

The Business Hub, meanwhile, served as an active platform for strengthening public-private cooperation. It hosted dozens of bilateral meetings among investors, economic delegations and government institutions, resulting in the signing of 43 cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding and investment agreements between local and international entities.

NasTex 2026 was organised in accordance with international standards for the management, organisation and marketing of specialised exhibitions. This included attracting international participation, managing business programmes and providing integrated services for exhibitors and visitors.

These efforts were reflected in the level of attendance and participation and contributed to extensive local, Arab and international media coverage. This coverage presented a positive image of Syria’s economic environment and reinforced the message that Syria is restoring its presence on the international economic stage through production, openness to investment and international cooperation.

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com


Even more efficient, more targeted and closer to the market: Heimtextil 2027 strengthens its position as the leading meeting place for the global carpet industry and further expands Carpets & Rugs in line with market needs. With a stronger focus on distribution channels, the segment integrates into Heimtextil’s product worlds. Manufacturers, retailers, industry and contract business benefit from additional business opportunities, new contacts and efficient sourcing of holistic interior solutions. With Carpets & Rugs Excellence, Heimtextil also introduces a premium segment for selected volume manufacturers for the first time. Numerous key players have already confirmed their participation for 2027.

Heimtextil 2027 once again brings together the global carpet industry in Frankfurt. With a new structure, Carpets & Rugs responds directly to current market requirements and strengthens networking across purchasing and distribution channels. The segment strategically integrates carpet suppliers into Heimtextil’s product segments, combining holistic interior concepts for specialist retailers, solutions for hospitality and contract projects, and offerings for the international volume business. Manufacturers benefit from additional business opportunities and new contacts. Buyers gain direct access to complete interior solutions. “Our aim is to reflect the needs of the entire carpet market as effectively as possible. Together with the industry, we continuously develop Carpets & Rugs and create an even more targeted business platform for manufacturers, brands and buyers worldwide,” says Bettina Bär, Director Heimtextil. “The strong participation once again confirms Heimtextil’s relevance as the home of the global carpet industry in Frankfurt.”

With Carpets & Rugs Excellence, Heimtextil 2027 introduces a premium segment in Hall 11.0 featuring selected international volume manufacturers from the carpet industry for the first time. Chosen by an independent jury of experts, these companies stand for high-quality products, excellent workmanship and manufacturing expertise. The new area creates a central meeting point for buyers from retail, hospitality and contract business looking for quality-focused carpet suppliers capable of handling order volumes of every scale. The curated segment provides guidance for global sourcing decisions and underlines Heimtextil’s commitment to quality.

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com


The textile industry's most comprehensive summer sourcing destination returns to New York City this July, bringing together Texworld NYC, Apparel Sourcing NYC, Home Textiles Sourcing NYC, and Printsource for three days of global sourcing, trend discovery, education, and industry connection. Taking place July 29–31 at the Javits Center, attendees will enjoy complimentary access to four dynamic events featuring 425+ international exhibitors, specialty sourcing opportunities, trend forecasting, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking educational programming designed to inspire the future of fashion and textiles.

This year's event is particularly special as Texworld NYC celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of connecting the global textile and apparel community through innovation, inspiration, and meaningful business opportunities. What began in 2006 as a modest textile sourcing event has evolved into one of North America's leading sourcing platforms—offering unparalleled access to the entire textile and apparel supply chain.

"As we celebrate 20 years of Texworld NYC, we're also celebrating the incredible global community of designers, brands, manufacturers, and industry leaders that have shaped the event into what it is today," said Jennifer Bacon, Vice President, Fashion and Apparel Shows at Messe Frankfurt Inc. "This milestone edition reflects our continued commitment to providing meaningful opportunities for sourcing, education, and collaboration while creating space for the conversations and innovations that will define the future of the industry."

The globally renowned trend-forecasting agency, Peclers Paris, returns to curate the Summer 2026 Trend Showcase, offering an exclusive look at the colors, materials, and consumer shifts shaping Fall/Winter 2027/28. Through four compelling trend stories, attendees will explore emerging aesthetics and innovative textiles shaping the seasons ahead. Guided Trend Showcase tours led by Peclers Paris experts will provide additional insight into each concept and the exhibitor products that bring them to life.

As Texworld NYC celebrates its 20th anniversary, the Summer 2026 edition promises to honor the show's legacy while looking ahead to the next generation of innovation, creativity, and global collaboration.

 

Source: www.fibre2fashion.com


FESPA Middle East has announced that its 2027 edition will take place from 27–29 April 2027 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), marking a significant new chapter for the region’s leading exhibition dedicated to speciality print, signage, visual communication and textile decoration.

The announcement follows extensive consultation with industry stakeholders across the Middle East and North Africa, with the timing reflecting an understanding of current market conditions and the wider regional business landscape, to provide the specialist print and visual communications community with the opportunity to reunite, reconnect with suppliers, distributors and buyers, and explore the technologies, ideas and strategies shaping the future of the industry.

Topics explored at the 2026 conference included leadership, sustainability, automation, artificial intelligence, workflow optimisation and business transformation, with strong engagement from attendees seeking strategic guidance alongside technology investment opportunities. The event website provides further information on the 2026 conference programme, along with recordings and highlights from selected sessions, offering an opportunity to catch up on key insights and discussions from the event. These themes will continue to play a central role in the development of the 2027 educational programme.

“FESPA is unique because we are a not-for-profit organisation that exists to support the global speciality print community. Every event, every educational programme and every research initiative is designed to help printers, sign-makers and visual communication specialists build stronger, more sustainable and more profitable businesses,” concluded Cassim.

“In the Middle East and North Africa, there is a tremendous appetite for knowledge, innovation and collaboration. FESPA Middle East 2027 will bring together world-class experts, industry leaders and technology innovators to create an environment where businesses can learn, connect and prepare for the future. As the industry continues to evolve, our role is to ensure the community has access to the latest technology and the insight and expertise needed to thrive.”