UK exports of clothing and textiles increased by 7% year on year to £9.1bn in 2016, following success at European trade shows. The UK Fashion & Textile Association reported that exports have increased by 28% in the last five years.
Clothing exports alone (not counting other textile exports) have risen 41% to £6.2bn since 2012.
The UKFT said that the increase can be attributed to increased interest in UK manufacturing, the creativity of British fashion designers and the importance of the UK as a key trading hub for clothing.
The countries of the European Union were the UK’s biggest export market for textiles and clothing in 2016, accounting for 74% of UK exports.