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LFW: Theresa May's Warm Welcome

Theresa May welcomed the British fashion industry to Number 10 Downing Street last night, ahead of the first London Fashion Week under her premiership kicking off today. At the reception, May told guests of the high esteem in which she holds the industry.

“British fashion is of huge importance to our country, contributing £28 billion to the UK economy and supporting nearly 900,000 jobs," she told guests, who included Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, British Fashion Council chairman Natalie Massenet, and previous BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund winners. "I was delighted to welcome representatives from across the industry to Downing Street ahead of London Fashion Week - which is one of the biggest and most influential fashion events in the world."

In addition to editors, executives and designers, May also invited apprentices, scholarship winners and graduate trainees who are carving out a fashion career.

"From our home-grown start-ups to international fashion houses – every business in the industry will play a major role in ensuring we make a success of Brexit," she said. "By taking advantage of the opportunities that leaving the EU gives us and playing to our strengths as a great trading nation - we can build a fairer economy that works for all, not just the privileged few."


"The Government I lead will do everything we can, including providing the right investment in training and skills, to help everyone, whatever people’s backgrounds, to go as far as their talents can take them," May said. “I am proud to say that our British fashion industry is a global leader in trade, creativity and innovation. The value of UK fashion exports was £5.8 billion in 2015 with British brands such as Burberry, Alexander McQueen and Sophia Webster in demand by international markets including the USA, Japan, France and Italy."

May - who took office in July after David Cameron's resignation following the EU Referendum, which saw the UK vote to leave the European Union - offered reassuring words to those who might be concerned about the effect Britain's departure might have on elements of their businesses.

May's words echo those of the BFC's CEO Caroline Rush, who said yesterday that "we have a point to prove to our guests that the vote to leave the EU doesn't mean we're going to end our international

"This is the first international event on our shores since the EU vote and it's definitely sparked a lot of interest from all over the world," Rush continued. "People want to know if London feels different. We need to send them a clear message that London is open to outsiders and the UK is a place of business opportunity."


Today, the BFC launched its #LondonIsOpen campaign, supported by London mayor Sadiq Khan. Khan reiterated May and Rush's optimism about the British fashion industry as it embarks on its spring/summer 2017 - and in see-now, buy-now cases autumn/winter 2016 - showcase.

"London Fashion Week begins today, showing that London is open to the world and is an international leader of creativity and entrepreneurship," said Khan. "There’s a fantastic range of designers and talent on the schedule this season, highlighting the very best the industry has to offer – from big brands to independent retailers, the London fashion scene has never been more diverse."

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