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Stimulating technology. Supporting enterprise.
The future of fashion is in innovation. And the most powerful innovation happens in partnership.
At the Fashion District, technologists, designers, researchers and SMEs collaborate with ease. Across sectors. Across disciplines. They meet to exchange knowledge, network, and create new products and processes – that unlock new investments.
We also create programmes to inspire people to innovate together, with a programme of meetups and events that will collide ideas and showcase great talent.
Our annual Fashion District Innovation Challenge is designed to find sustainable solutions to current industry issues, giving fashion and tech start-ups and SMEs the chance to win cash prizes, gain expert business advice, and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges. Industry experts also act as ‘Critical Friends’ to support and challenge the start-ups in the areas of innovation, business strategy, IP/legal, marketing, investment and sustainability. Previously this has included panels members from: Pangaia, British Fashion Council, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Selfridges, Innovate UK, True. Global, Founders Factory, Tech Nation, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Stylus, Farfetch, IBM, Fashion Innovation Agency, ReLondon, Lewis Silkin, Yoox-Net-a-Porter and more.
Retail Futures 2019 & 2020
Sponsored by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Retail Futures supported early-stage retail innovation, exploring digital customer experience, sustainable retail models and AI-enabled supply chains. Read more about the Retail Futures 2020 shortlist here.
Manufacturing Futures 2021
Supported by the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Manufacturing Futures 2021 focused on innovation across the fashion supply chain, including materials, processing, transparency, waste reduction, circularity and logistics. Read about the Manufacturing Futures shortlist here.
Design Futures 2022
Delivered in partnership with PANGAIA and London College of Fashion, UAL, Design Futures challenged designers and businesses to develop circular design solutions addressing longevity, zero waste, material cyclability and regeneration. Read about the Design Futures 2022 shortlist here.
Manufacturing Futures 2024
Manufacturing Futures returned in 2024, spotlighting scalable innovation across fashion manufacturing and materials, supporting start-ups developing solutions to reduce environmental impact across the value chain. Read about the Manufacturing Futures 2024 shortlist here.
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