Kate Hills quoted in Vogue Business: British manufacturing is back in the spotlight
Vogue Business has launched a new series dedicated to exploring the future of UK manufacturing. I'm proud to have been quoted in the opening article, offering my perspective on the challenges and opportunities that small businesses face when making locally.
The fact that Vogue Business, a publication with a global readership, is covering UK fashion and textile manufacturing in depth is very exciting. It puts British manufacturers and UK-made brands into the spotlight and shows that there has never been a better time to make locally, particularly from a sustainability perspective.
The Vogue Business feature was written by Kirsty McGregor, who was formerly editor of Drapers and has long been a supporter of Made in UK and Make it British.
In the article, Kirsty highlights some of the amazing manufacturers that we have in the UK, but also doesn't shy away from the challenges that the industry is currently facing - rising operational costs, supply chain fragility, a lack of government support, and the ongoing skills shortages that I’ve been warning of for years. I was quoted specifically on the fragility of the supply chain and how some of the closures I’ve seen over the last 15 years — suppliers such as dyehouses and yarn spinners — have caused a ripple effect throughout the whole industry.
A positive article about UK manufacturing
Yet the overall message is positive. Supporters of 'Made in the UK', such as myself, Patrick Grant from Community Clothing and Tamara Cincik from Fashion Roundtable, stress the clear commercial advantages: faster lead times, smaller production runs, better flexibility, lower levels of unsold stock, and the ability to tell a provenance story that consumers increasingly value.
Reshoring isn't just about patriotism or nostalgia. It's about making sound business decisions. The article points out that whilst unit costs may be higher, making locally can actually lead to better margins when you consider fewer markdowns, reduced overproduction, and quicker reaction times to demand.
Storytelling is another major theme. Brands that educate customers about the value of British craftsmanship are better placed to build trust and loyalty. As I often say to the businesses I work with, the story behind a product is just as important as the product itself.
The need for policy change
The article also touches on the urgent need for policy change, something I have campaigned for in my role on the board of Fashion Roundtable, over many years. Other countries invest heavily in their manufacturing sectors. The UK needs smarter procurement policies, targeted tax incentives, and serious investment in rebuilding skills and supply chain infrastructure if we want to stay competitive.
For small brands and emerging designers, this renewed spotlight on UK manufacturing is an opportunity. If you are already manufacturing in the UK, now is the time to strengthen your messaging. If you are considering bringing your production closer to home, the commercial arguments for doing so are stronger than ever.
British manufacturing has huge potential
I’m pleased to see these important conversations reaching a wider audience, and even more so to have contributed to the discussion. British manufacturing has huge potential: not just as a heritage story, but as a foundation for resilient, sustainable businesses of the future.
To read the full article, and the others in the ‘Made in UK’ series, you need to be a member of Vogue Business. However, Kirsty McGregor is sharing some more snippets from the articles on her Instagram @kirstymcgregoredits and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/kirstymcgregoruk
