The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has announced its support for the forthcoming Professional Clothing Show and Professional Clothing Awards, which will take place from 1-2 April 2014 at Birmingham's NEC.

As the only show covering all three industry sectors of workwear, corporatewear and PPE, the rebranded Professional Clothing Show is said to be an increasingly important event bringing together leading companies, buyers and distributors.

UKFT reports that its support for the show has been warmly welcomed by the Professional Clothing show organisers, who see this as an opportunity for various industry bodies, such as UKFT, director-e and ASBCI, to speak with one voice in promoting an event that will cover the whole of the fashion and textile industry, both trade and retail.

UKFT support

Yvette Ashby, managing director of the Professional Clothing Show, said: "It's wonderful news that UKFT has committed to backing the show. I've admired the association for a long time and with their support we can make the Professional Clothing Show and Awards even bigger and better."

UKFT CEO John Miln will be speaking and presenting awards at the Professional Clothing Awards, reflecting how important both fashion and textiles are to the professional clothing industry.

Explaining why UKFT has chosen to support the Professional Clothing Show and Awards, John Miln said: “Workwear is a huge part of our industry worth over £450m a year in the UK alone and we are delighted to support these awards and fantastic showcase. Our industry spans every aspect of what we wear be it for leisure or work and this is a great way for the UK to show what it can offer in this thriving sector both at home and across Europe.” 

Professional Clothing Show

Expecting to attract over 100 stands, the two-day exhibition will feature a giant exhibition area, exciting catwalk fashion shows, as well as the Professional Clothing Awards.

The Professional Clothing Show provides opportunities for visitors to source and experience the comprehensive collection of work-related uniforms, clothing and accessories in the UK. With over one hundred suppliers from UK and Europe exhibiting there is the opportunity to find workwear suitable for every walk of life, from corporate tailored suits to high-vis reflective gear, nursing uniforms, PPE, boiler suits, hard hats, chefs' whites, corporatewear and more.

Worth an estimated £450 million in the UK, the workwear, corporate clothing, and PPE (personal protection equipment) industry makes around 32 million garments each year. The Professional Clothing Show is the only dedicated exhibition for buyers to source the latest developments in clothing and equipment.

UKFT

The UK Fashion & Textile Association is the leading trade body for the fashion and textile industry. UKFT lobbies on behalf of UK fashion, textile and accessory businesses for support and training, which leads to greater visibility of the industry.

UKFT represents over 2,000 businesses through its organisation and across 16 federated members. Its members include designers, manufacturers and retailers.

www.ukft.org