British Fashion Thinks Brexit Is A Bad Fit
Survey results from The British Fashion Council reveal that 90% of designers want to Remain in Europe [Photo: Instagram/viviennewestwoodofficial]
The fashion industry is having its say on Brexit. First Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman came out in favour of Remain, then The Business of Fashion predicted Brexit could lead to a weaker pound, and just last week young designer Philip Ellis made his feelings clear when he sent an anti-Brexit collection down the catwalk at the Central Saint Martins’ graduate fashion show.
There’s no doubt fashion is getting it’s threads in a twist about the thought of leaving the EU. And that was seemingly confirmed today by The British Fashion Council as they announced findings from a survey of UK designer businesses about whether they wanted to stay or quit the EU.
Of the 290 respondents, an overwhelming 90% stated their preference to Remain, while just 4.3% voted to Leave, 2.4% were Undecided and 2.8% stated that they would Not Vote.
The survey results follow last weekend’s London Collections Men which saw several designers including Christopher Raeburn, Daniel W Fletcher, E.Tautz, Lou Dalton and Sibling, all state their preference to Remain In the EU.
Designer Philip Ellis sent an anti-Brexit collection down the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week [Photo: Rex Features]
And the findings also echo the response from the Creative Industries Federation Survey, which showed more than 96% support for Remain among members, with barely 4% in favour of Leave.
Stuart Rose, the former chairman of the British Fashion Council (BFC) has recently spoken out about his fears for Brexit, claiming it would be a disaster for British fashion.
“I’ve no doubt the costs of doing business would go up,” he said. “Worldwide tariffs would go up as well as the costs of goods, service and manufacturing. This would mean a higher cost to the consumer.”
According to a report by Drapers, almost 75% of British exports of clothing and footwear go to countries across the EU and it’s single market of 500 million consumers, at a worth of £5 billion to the UK economy.
Other fashion industry fears about leaving include clothes becoming more expensive, essential European travel becoming more expensive and a European departure providing a serious threat to industry growth.
How do you think Brexit might affect the fashion industry? Let us know @YahooStyleUK
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