UK fashion industry gears up for sustainability shift at Manchester conference
On 16 October 2025, the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) will host its autumn conference at the University of Manchester, bringing together a diverse community of industry leaders to confront the pressing challenge of making the fashion industry sustainable, scalable, and profitable. Titled “Fashion’s Future: sustainable, scalable, profitable. How do we get there?”, the event promises to deliver practical and actionable insights from experts, including prominent retail figures, aiming to catalyse meaningful change across the sector.
The conference’s agenda is comprehensive, covering a wide array of topics critical to the industry's transformation. These include product development, the lifecycle of garments through end-of-life and reuse strategies, the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, circularity, durability, and the evolving regulatory environment, such as the implementation of digital product passports. The programme melds keynote presentations, panel discussions, and fireside chats, ensuring a rich exploration of issues from upstream design and manufacturing processes to downstream retail, consumer behaviour, and business model innovation.
Among the keynote speakers is Tamara Sender Ceron from Mintel, who will share insights from the Mintel UK Fashion Sustainability Market Report 2025, highlighting current consumer perspectives and trends. This report underscores a notable shift among Generation Z consumers, with a quarter buying fewer fashion items compared to 2024 and a rising interest in second-hand fashion. However, the report also draws attention to a gap between sustainable attitudes and actual purchasing behaviours, signalling the complexity of driving real change at the consumer level. New legislation like digital product passports is seen as a potential catalyst for enhancing supply chain transparency and empowering consumers to make informed choices.
Next's Lysette Kuwaki, the company’s digital product creation lead, will present on how the brand is navigating its digital transformation journey. From leveraging AI-enhanced design and digital block building to supplier engagement and employing digital twins, Next’s approach exemplifies how digital innovation can align with sustainability goals. Complementing this, Joe Darwin from CircKit will discuss how AI technologies can be harnessed to embed sustainable and circular practices right from the design stage, emphasising the importance of sustainability as a foundational element rather than an afterthought.
Circularity and product durability will receive significant attention during the conference. Tony Chvala, president of GreenEarth Cleaning, will shed light on best practices for garment care that help maintain the colour, shape, and fabric quality necessary for preloved items to be effectively resold, donated, or repurposed, underscoring how gentle care is a cornerstone of true product circularity.
Kirsty Holdsworth, ASBCI’s general manager, has noted the industry’s widespread recognition of the need for change but also the challenge inherent in identifying the right steps for each business. She emphasises that the conference is designed to equip attendees with tangible, actionable strategies that can be tailored to individual brand contexts, helping them navigate the sustainability journey confidently.
The ASBCI, established in 1992, acts as a vital hub for knowledge exchange across the entire UK clothing supply chain—from fibres and fabrics through to retail and aftercare. Its conferences, including this upcoming event, are pivotal in fostering shared learning and collaboration aimed at advancing best practices and initiatives throughout the sector.
Notably, the day before the ASBCI conference, on 15 October 2025, the third edition of the 3D NEXT LVL event will also take place at the University of Manchester. Organised jointly by ASBCI, the university, and Alvanon Europe, this event focuses on digital product creation technologies such as 3D modelling, AI, and other innovations shaping the future of fashion. It offers interactive sessions and an exclusive tour of the university’s cutting-edge facilities, reinforcing the critical role of technology in driving sustainable transformation across the value chain.
Together, these linked events underscore a growing commitment within the UK fashion industry to addressing environmental and social challenges while ensuring commercial viability. With expert-led discussions and practical insights, the ASBCI autumn conference and 3D NEXT LVL event aim to inspire and equip fashion professionals to lead the sector’s evolution towards a future that is truly sustainable, scalable, and profitable.