Leicester’s textile and fashion sector came together at De Montfort University (DMU) today for
Leicester Made & Regions 2026 - a major industry trade event that doubled as a clear call to action for the future of UK manufacturing.
Held at The Venue@DMU, the event brought together manufacturers, brands, retailers, policymakers and educators to showcase the strength of Leicester’s supply chain and to challenge perceptions about UK-based production.
Opening the event, Jenny Holloway, CEO of Fashion-Enter and a leading voice in UK garment manufacturing, said: “There are wonderful factories here, but the sector is going to need support and that means working closely together and making the most of the opportunities in front of us.”
Companies ranging from established manufacturers to new start-ups focused on UK sourcing and sustainable materials were showcased at The Venue expo, with a programme of industry roundtables, panel discussions and keynotes taking place alongside.
DMU’s stand featured designs from students in fashion, footwear and contour alongside its research and consultancy capabilities.
Attendees also learned of new developments in Leicester’s textiles sector with 20 factories coming together to form a new company that enables them to collectively bid for large-scale contracts, including an initial £60 million public sector tender.
A new site In Factories We Trust, developed through a partnership between the council, DMU, Fashion-Enter and the Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) is also helping to rebuild confidence in Leicester’s supply chain by bringing together vetted manufacturers with a focus on ethical compliance and quality.
It follows a project between Fashion Enter, DMU and Leicester City Council to work with companies to support with ethical compliance and innovation.
Peter Chandler, Director of Tourism, Culture and Economy at Leicester City Council, said: “In the last 12 months, manufacturers have started to come together to act as one voice, We are working with partners like DMU and Fashion-Enter to breathe new life into the sector.
“For buyers, this is about confidence. They can come to Leicester knowing the supply chain is ethical, compliant and capable.”
Carolyn Hardaker, Head of DMU’s School of Design and Innovation, said the university was proud to support the event and its wider mission.
“We have a long-standing relationship with Fashion-Enter and partners across the sector,” she said. “Our focus is on employability and creating the next generation of talent and we know our graduates are highly employable.”
DMU has been part of Leicester’s fashion and textiles story since the very beginning and is home to renowned courses such as Contour Fashion and the UK’s only remaining single honours Footwear Design programme.
That connection between education, research and industry is further strengthened by DMU’s globally recognised Textile Engineering and Materials (TEAM) research group, which continues to push forward innovation in sustainable and advanced textile technologies.
The event itself reflected the full ecosystem needed to support the sector, combining a trade show floor with panel discussions, live demonstrations and industry roundtables.
From debates on whether UK manufacturing is truly “too expensive” to discussions on sustainability, legislation and innovation, the programme focused on the structural challenges facing the industry and the practical solutions needed to address them.
Alongside this, interactive workshops and upcycling sessions showcased the skills, creativity and technical capability that underpin Leicester’s manufacturing base.
Posted on Friday 24 April 2026