Source Debates will tackle some of the most pressing and provocative topics in sustainable fashion between 18 and 20 February 2025 at Olympia London. The space will invite attendees to engage in open dialogue together – alongside industry experts, other fashion brands and retailers, and sustainability and sourcing professionals. The space will challenge the status quo and explore actionable solutions to the industry’s toughest issues.
Source Debates is expected to provide a platform for honest discussion, to connect with peers and debate the future of sustainable fashion. It’s described as “a unique opportunity” to learn and uncover fresh perspectives on what meaningful change could look like.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The topics will include:
- Back to the future – how do we slow down consumption and produce less?
- The language of sustainability
- Overcoming the fear of sustainability
- Taking the lead: Collaboration in the absence of legislative change
- Speculative design thinking – preparing for the future of fashion retail
- Breaking the cycle – driving systemic change in fashion supply chains
What’s in store at Source Fashion – speakers and panel sessions
From fast fashion to circularity – encouraging consumers to embrace sustainable fashion models: Charlotte Pumford, head of sustainability at Vivo Footwear and Jackie Andrews-Udall, sustainability director at Johnston’s of Elgin, moderated by Andrew Goodacre, CEO of British Independent Retailers Association, will discuss the challenges and routes to creating a more circular economy, while competing with fast fashion brands, covering how to educate consumers and build a sustainable brand in the midst of a difficult market.
Bridging the gap: effectively collaborating between teams and integrating objectives: Nicola Kirby, partner and head of sourcing, and Catherine Loader, sustainability manager from John Lewis, will discuss strategies for fostering alignment, building trust, and integrating sustainability into sourcing decisions and bridging the gap between these critical functions. The session will share insights on how to work to integrate sustainability goals with sourcing objectives, fostering stronger partnerships and impactful outcomes.
Why data holds the key for a greener future: Linda Pimmeshoffer from Insider Trends for Tech and Sustainability believes that while AI and tech dominate retail buzz, their role in sustainability is often overlooked. Her session will explore how data-driven innovation can revolutionise fashion’s fight against emissions, with global examples and a vision for a tech-enabled future. The session will focus on companies leading the way with innovation as well as global examples and what the future might look like if tech can be meaningfully exploited.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataWhat policies do we need to really achieve circularity: Mark Sumner, programmes lead at the UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will explore the critical policies needed to drive systemic change. What does it take to hold policymakers accountable and ensure legislation keeps pace with the urgent need for a more sustainable future?
The urgency of transparency: Andrew Xeni, founder of Nobody’s Child and Fabacus explains transparency is no longer optional, it’s the key to sustainability, trust, and accountability in fashion, and this session dives into how brands can, and should, lead the charge for meaningful change. As consumers demand to know the story behind their purchases, from raw materials to finished garments, brands must step up to show the true impact of their operations. Xeni will explore why transparency is the foundation of sustainability, how it builds trust, and the role brands play in leading this shift. From revealing supply chain practices to setting new standards for accountability, attendees will hear how embracing transparency can drive meaningful change and empower consumers to make more informed choices.
Can moving towards an economy of degrowth transform sustainable fashion?: This panel, which features WRAP’s programmes lead Mark Sumner and Recomme’s co-founder Simon Platts will discuss how the idea of degrowth can influence the fashion industry – increasing the lifecycle of garments, encouraging ethical consumption and increasing long-term business survival – and how the brands and retailers can get there
A clothing company that doesn’t produce clothes: All Saints founder Stuart Trevor will share during a fireside chat how his company is flipping the script on fashion by turning pre-owned clothes into fresh, stylish pieces and proving that upcycling and circularity are the future of sustainable fashion. Instead of contributing to the cycle of overproduction, Trevor’s company focuses on transforming pre-owned clothes into fresh, desirable pieces. This discussion will dive into how this innovative approach not only reduces waste but also challenges the traditional fashion industry model. By upcycling and reusing materials, this company demonstrates a powerful alternative to fast fashion and shows how circularity can be integrated into business practices without sacrificing style or quality.
Ecosystem thinking in fashion: Redesigning for regeneration: Social entrepreneur Safia Minney will explore strategies to adopt circular and regenerative models, scale these practices, and foster collaborative supply chain solutions. Featuring contributions from experts across industries, this session is set to empower visitors with practical tools for transformative change
How to work with new markets safely? Co-founder and director of Retail 100 Anna Berry will outline how to de-risk operations while driving growth and profitability. Navigating new markets, especially in regions like Africa, requires a careful balance of opportunity and risk. This discussion will explore how businesses can effectively de-risk their operations in emerging markets by choosing the right certifications that ensure ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance. Berry will also dive into the concept of blended margins, where sustainability practices not only mitigate risk but can also unlock new opportunities for growth, making it possible to enter untapped markets while maintaining profitability.
Creating a circular future using natural materials – regenerative agriculture: Julian Ellis-Brown, CEO of Ponda says by focusing on natural, renewable fibres that are grown with practices that restore soil health and enhance biodiversity, fashion can reduce its environmental footprint while supporting a more sustainable agricultural system. In addition to working with traditional fibres like organic cotton and hemp, Ellis-Brown says the use of alternative materials are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, offering innovative solutions that align with a circular, eco-friendly future.
Competing priorities…how can sustainability win against profitability and risk: Recomme co-founder Simon Platts, Pepsi Co design manager Hayley Shore and Ella Andrews, knowledge exchange manager and policy lead at the Centre for Sustainable Fashion will host a panel discussion that explores how to make sustainability work without stalling progress and will look to address tangible ways in which brands can integrate sustainable practices, and real-life examples of this being managed effectively while still encouraging innovation and managing risks.
How to love retail – fixing the talent gap and empowering the next generation in ethical fashion with Scott Macrae from George at Asda.
Packaging data: The lifeblood for compliance, sustainability improvement, and margin enhancement: Pricing analyst Aden Newbury and head of structural packaging Lisa Meade both at Kingfisher Packaging delve into how their company leverages packaging data to fuel compliance, sustainability, and profitability across 2,000+ stores and complex global supply chains. The session will share insights on Kingfisher’s sustainability agenda, ambitious targets, and the progress that’s been made in gathering and validating accurate data across complex global supply chains.
