UK fashion sourcing trade show Source Fashion is strengthening its commitment to sustainable sourcing by forming a strategic alliance with UK environmental action NGO Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

The 12-month partnership will see WRAP integrated into both the live events and digital offerings at Source Fashion’s London trade show.

The collaboration will officially start at the Source Fashion event scheduled for 8-10 July 2025, at The Grand Hall, Olympia London.

During this event, WRAP’s textiles programme lead Mark Sumner, will lead a debate session with the theme, ‘If We Started All Over Again, What Would It Look Like?’

The debate session aims to reconstruct the fashion industry with sustainability, circularity, and commercial viability as foundational pillars. It will question established cost models and promote a transition from price-focused production to value-based retailing that considers realistic sell-through rates.

Additionally, the seminar programme will include a panel discussion on the topic, ‘When will consumers really pay more – are consumers ready?’, from experts such as Rachel Gray, behaviour change manager at WRAP; Anna Berry, co-founder and director of Retail 100; Berni Yates, knowledge exchange lead CSM; and Jo Hooper, CEO and founder of NRBY Clothing.

The panel will delve into whether consumers are genuinely willing to pay a premium for sustainably and ethically sourced fashion. They will explore what is required to alter consumer behaviour, how retailers can synchronise pricing with ethical values, and if the industry is prepared to meet the evolving expectations of environmentally conscious consumers.

Source Fashion event director Suzanne Ellingham stated: “This is not a one-off activation — it’s the start of a long term partnership focused on equipping companies with the insight they need to start to action real, measurable change.

“By working with WRAP across multiple channels, we’re building a platform that not only starts conversations but supports the industry in acting on them. WRAP brings deep expertise in sustainability, and circularity, this partnership allows us to amplify that knowledge at scale.”

Source Fashion and WRAP will continue to collaborate on joint content creation and thought leadership initiatives after the July conference.

This includes launching an exclusive podcast featuring Sumner and developing a series of impactful digital content such as infographics, social media campaigns promoting WRAP’s initiatives, and providing expert insights for Source Fashion’s reports.

Sumner, who has background in academia, is also appointed to the Source Fashion Advisory Board. Sumner will contribute to shaping the direction of Source Fashion and ensuring that sustainability remains central to its development.

Sumner said: “WRAP’s UK Textiles Pact is already driving change, but this union takes our expertise beyond sustainability circles to inspire more people across the sector towards Circular Living. Source Fashion is a proven platform for bold, challenging conversations so we are proud to bring our insights to these important discussions to help propel the industry. Teaming up with Source Fashion on its event and content is a natural fit – we are ready to go further together to influence real progress.”