It’s not exactly a secret that a lot of the clothes we wear in Britain today are imported, but the deficit of British clothing manufacturers in 2012 is far greater than you might think. Known for the eclectic styles of south east London hipsters and the understated elegance of Kate Middleton, Britain has earned itself a firm place on the fashion map. Why then do 90 per cent of the clothes we wear come from abroad, with £12.5bn more clothes on the high street manufactured abroad than at home?
Brands you might think of as British, such as Clarks shoes and Topshop, began in the UK. But as running costs forced them to move elsewhere, jobs in Britain were sacrificed.
However, some designers are keeping their clothing closer to home.
Barbour, for example, continues the traditions of British manufacturing. With a presence in over 40 countries worldwide, Barbour’s headquarters remains in Simonside, South Shields. The company uses products from around the globe but their classic wax jackets are still made by hand in England, with over 100,000 jackets produced a year.
Christopher Kane uses cashmere produced by Johnstons of Scotland for his knitwear, FrostFrench makes 40 per cent of its collection in Britain, and Mulberry stitches ‘Made in Somerset’ labels into the 60 per cent of its designer handbags that are made in the county. Get Cutie Co. also makes retro dresses and skirts in their Brighton workshop.
If it’s accessories you’re after, things look a little more promising as there are plenty of British companies selling their home-made treats via the internet. Tatty Devine, set up by friends Rosie and Harriet in 1999, still produce 99 per cent of their jewellery in their Kent and London workshops, and their perspex necklaces have been worn by celebrities such as Jessie J. Temporary Secretary also sell cute and quirky jewellery, and their lucky dips are a great way to save some money.
Trying to find British brands using solely British clothing is like trying to find a clean shirt in the messiest of student bedrooms – nigh on impossible. But it looks like some designers are doing their bit for Britain.
Perhaps it’s too much to expect for an entirely British fashion industry – after all, the diversity and multiculturalism of Britain is one of its greatest qualities and if this comes across in British fashion, even better!