Clothing manufacturers have had a major impact on the development of industrial Britain. From the cotton mills of Manchester to luxury wool trade of Scotland, the UK was once an important producer of apparel in Europe, and the industry sustained thousands of families.
But like nearly all western countries, clothing manufacturing in the UK suffered a sharp decline with the rise of fast fashion and the industry’s subsequent dependence on high-quality factories in China and Southeast Asia. Unable to compete with cheap, plentiful labor, British factories soon fell into disrepair. But now, the UK is slowly finding its manufacturing feet again.
There has been a year on year growth in the number of textile and apparel manufacturing companies in the UK since 2014. Even high street retailers like Marks & Spencer have moved toward using some domestic production. On top of that, there has been a 25 per cent rise in the export of British-made clothing since 2011. That has risen to 30 per cent since Brexit in 2016, as companies attempt to insulate against the coming adverse effects.
Established labels like Burberry and Alice Temperley have used the Made in Britain tagline for years, ensuring it’s synonymous with high-end, well-tailored luxury. But with the arrival of cutting-edge designers, it now has the cool factor, too.

- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Apparel’s inflation premium in the US signals a tough road for retailers
The latest inflation data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has conveyed an important warning for the fashion and... Read more
The Alchemy of Adornment: Decoding the ‘Runway Trends’ and ‘Sartorial Shifts’ of…
As the global luxury sector navigates shifting economic currents, Milan continues to solidify its role as the definitive compass for... Read more
Engineered to Perform: How bio-based textiles are rewiring the $1.15 trillion at…
The global athleisure industry is entering a reset as the next phase of competition shifts from celebrity endorsements and logo... Read more
China’s inward turn, domestic demand is rewriting the export model
China is undergoing one of its most consequential economic recalibrations in decades, driven by geopolitical instability, rising Western protectionism, and... Read more
Why Shein sees itself as a technology company, not a fashion brand
The modern fashion industry has traditionally been defined by creativity, merchandising expertise and global sourcing networks. Yet few companies have... Read more
India’s textile sector turns crisis into competitive advantage
India’s textile and apparel industry has emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history, transforming a... Read more
India’s Export Divide: Textile mills advance, apparel makers face global headwin…
India’s textile and apparel (T&A) sector entered FY2027 with a striking internal contradiction. While the country’s overall merchandise exports increased... Read more
China’s inward turn, domestic demand is rewriting the export model
China is undergoing one of its most consequential economic recalibrations in decades, driven by geopolitical instability, rising Western protectionism, and... Read more
Egypt bets on a $2 bn green textile city to become Europe’s next sourcing hub
Egypt is making a decisive play to become one of the world's most important apparel manufacturing destinations after securing a... Read more
EU textile imports hit $295.66 bn as price wars mask manufacturing stress
The European Union’s textile and apparel imports grew to $295.66 billion in 2025, a 9.4 per cent year-on-year increase from... Read more











