The Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) proudly represented Leicester-made fashion at the latest three-day edition of Source Fashion, held at Olympia London from 13th–15th January 2026. Across the event, ATMF attracted strong interest from buyers, brands, and start-ups actively seeking UK manufacturing partners and more transparent supply chain options.
A collective showcase of Leicester capability
ATMF hosted a dedicated stand featuring eight Leicester-based manufacturers and brands, presenting a unified and powerful showcase of the city’s garment-making strength. Throughout the three days, the stand welcomed consistent footfall, with visitors keen to explore responsible, local, and commercially viable production.
Participating businesses shared highly positive feedback, with many reporting valuable conversations and new commercial leads generated directly from the show.
Source Fashion continues to grow
This edition of Source Fashion closed on a high, with the event recording a 16% increase in visitors and a 12% rise in exhibitors. The growing turnout reflects continued momentum behind ethical sourcing and onshore manufacturing, as more businesses look to reduce supply chain risk and improve transparency.
With buyers attending from both major high-street names and independent brands, Source Fashion continues to strengthen its position as a key meeting point for UK manufacturers and the wider fashion industry.
Raising the profile of Leicester-made fashion
ATMF’s presence played an important role in strengthening the reputation of Leicester as a centre for modern garment production — helping to challenge outdated perceptions and showcase the quality, flexibility, and capability available locally.
By bringing manufacturers together under one banner, ATMF enabled visitors to see the breadth of skills in Leicester, from sampling and small-batch production through to scalable manufacturing, while also highlighting the city’s ongoing work towards ethical practices and compliance-led production.
A positive outlook for UK manufacturing
The strong buyer engagement at Source Fashion reflects a wider shift within the industry, as more brands look to produce closer to home, reduce risk, and create more transparent supply chains.
For ATMF and its Leicester members, the show reinforced the growing demand for British-made garments and demonstrated the value of collective representation at major national trade events.
As Source Fashion looks ahead to its next edition in July 2026, ATMF remains committed to championing Leicester manufacturing, supporting local businesses, and strengthening the city’s position as a hub for skilled, responsible fashion production.