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Dylan Jones says the fashion industry is facing a “new dawn” following years of Brexit uncertainty.
The menswear chair of the British Fashion Council called on his industry to work with the Government to “move forward” and prosper in 2020.
Ahead of London Fashion Week Men’s, which runs from Saturday until Monday, Jones said: “There has been a lot of conversation about Brexit, most of which has been anti-Brexit which I understand.
“Now that we have some clarity, I would hope that government will be able to work closely with us [the BFC] and trade bodies to try and alleviate some of those fears. We have to be positive now. We have a new situation and a new dawn.”
The UK is set to leave the EU on January 31. Jones, who is also the editor of GQ Magazine, said: “There are many people in our industry [fashion] that were advocating for a second referendum. I think now is the time to move forward and try and get in place deals which will be beneficial to all the people who work for our industry.”
This is the 15th edition of London Fashion Week Men’s, which will be based at the Truman Brewery in east London.
Jones predicted that some of the designers showing — including Wales Bonner, Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY, Martine Rose and Bethany Williams — might reflect political unrest in their collections.
“London has always fostered a kind of culture of outrage,” he said. “There might be some of that. But I hope [the event] will work as a platform for a host of young creatives to go and get exposure for their collections and help their businesses.”
Jones added: “The week lives or dies by the talent seen on the catwalk and as we know, London is the most regenerative city in the world. So it is exciting.”
For the first time, the BFC is collaborating with its Italian counterpart, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana. It means British brands will be showcased in Milan during its own men’s fashion week.
Carlo Capasa, CNMI chairman, said: “The collaboration is a precious opportunity for both of us to establish a bridge between our cultures.”
A government spokesperson said: “British fashion is internationally celebrated for its creativity and is one of the UK’s great success stories.
“We are committed to supporting the future of British fashion to help it go from strength to strength in 2020 and beyond.”
