Business of Fashion, Textiles & Technology: Mapping the UK Fashion, Textiles and Technology Ecosystem

This is the first report originating from the Business of Fashion, Textiles & Technology Creative R&D Partnership (BFTT, CRDP), led by University of the Arts London, as part of the Creative Industries Cluster Programme, delivered by the AHRC. Mapping the UK Fashion, Textiles and Technology Ecosystem, aims to identify opportunities for investment, research and development, business growth, job creation and tackle skills gaps in the UK fashion, textiles and technology (FTT) ecosystem. Based on a survey consultation that engaged over 2,400 small, medium and micro businesses (SMEs) and over 100 stakeholders and intermediaries, including industry specialists, trade bodies and workspace providers, the report is one of the most extensive baseline studies to date on FTT SMEs and the first comprehensive insight into the UK FTT ecosystem leading up to March 2020, pre-Covid-19. This survey has been instrumental in gaining an in-depth understanding of the polycentric nature of the sector and its geographical spread. This should strongly influence both how the sector is viewed as an economic resource of national importance and the future allocation of the R&D it needs to access in order to thrive — this research also provides initial insights for progress post-Covid. Fashion and apparel is estimated to contribute £35 billion to the British economy every year, while £74 billion+ is spent by UK consumers on wider apparel, clothing accessories, household textiles and carpets, accounting for 890,000 people employed across the UK, and £9 billion of export.