BFC to bring Fashion Britain across UK cities with 1,000 events

The British Fashion Council (BFC) is taking London Fashion Week beyond the capital this September, launching Fashion Britain, a nationwide programme of more than 1,000 events across London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol, Dundee and Edinburgh.

The initiative builds on the BFC’s efforts to “decentralise British fashion” and extend the reach of the industry beyond London. It will bring together designers, retailers and cultural institutions through free panel talks, exhibitions, live performances, retail activations and other public events.

Fashion Britain forms part of the BFC’s wider Strategy 2030, a four-year plan focused on increasing access to British fashion while supporting creativity and long-term industry growth. It also builds on the organisation’s City Wide Celebration programme, which expanded from Manchester and Newcastle into Liverpool last year.

BFC chief executive Laura Weir said: “It’s vital that we recognise, celebrate and invest in talent wherever it exists across the UK. Fashion Britain is about decentralising fashion, by creating stronger pathways for creativity, opportunity and growth in every part of the country.”

The programme will see designers including Nicholas Daley, Charles Jeffrey, Saul Nash, Clio Peppiatt, Luke Derrick, Patrick McDowell and Talia Byre take part in designer panels and events, alongside activations from retailers and brands.

Weir added that the BFC is collaborating with “leading cultural institutions alongside over 100 of our designer members” to build “a stronger, more connected future for British fashion”.

The initiative also aims to support high street activity, with participating retailers including Westfield, Liverpool One, Fenwick, Ebay and Marks & Spencer, which will stage its first ‘see now, buy now’ LFW show.