Images Magazine November 18

W hen we visited The Schoolwear Show in October 2016, Brexit was the number one topic of conversation. Barely four months had passed since the vote and sterling’s value against the dollar and euro had plummeted. The buzz in the exhibition hall was from talk of currency markets, price rises, the impact of the vote on industry ordering patterns and whispered fears of recession. Fast forward two years and a rebranded and revitalised Schoolwear Show was defined by an altogether different vibe. Only one exhibitor mentioned Brexit to me – the nation’s fatigue at the melodrama currently being acted out by Westminster and Brussels seemingly echoed by the silence of the industry’s schoolwear suppliers and retailers. Instead, the topic that dominated this year’s event was sustainability and its close siblings, ethics and the environment. It seemed as though every conversation touched, if not centred on the growing customer demand for products that can be shown to have been produced in an ethical and sustainable manner – one that respects both people and the planet. From eco ties to recycled blazers, new organic cotton shirts and tees, to Oeko- Tex certified knitwear and the Living wage – suppliers were promoting their ‘eco’ and ethical credentials as enthusiastically as their new products. We pursue this sustainability focus in our Ecowear showcas e (page 61), while regular columnist Marshall Atkinson shares some practical tips on how you can increase the sustainability of your own garment decoration operation, and save some cash in the proces s (page 40). We also take a peek behind the scenes at Fifth Column’s print shop (page 36), where the company steers customers towards sustainable garment choices, pays its staff the London Living Wage and promotes a culture of transparency. And we catch up with Ivor Tunley, managing director of Orn Clothing, for this issue’s brand profile (page 34), in which Ivor discusses ethical bespoke garment manufacture and the importance of “drilling down to the supply chain behind the factory”. Our Featured Product for November is the new and thoroughly cute Baby Rocks Denim Jacket from Babybugz, which is made from 100% organic cotton denim fabric (page 65; y ou saw it here first!) . And in our regular ‘Talking to...’ column (page 66), Garry Bell, Gildan’s vice president of corporate marketing and communications, presents his definition and understanding of sustainable garment manufacturing, and sets about challenging some received wisdom surrounding this topic along the way. In addition to our ecowear coverage, we’re also delighted to introduce our new ‘Anatomy of a decoration’ series, which kicks off with a stunning embroidery by GS UK’s in-house design team (page 32), complete with a detailed explanation of how it was produced. Jonathan Vince A question of ethics Published by: 360 Communications Ltd images magazine, 360 Communications Ltd, 58a Livingstone Road, Lioncare House, Hove, BN3 3WL, UK 01273 748482 | www.images-magazine.com Advertising: advertising@images-magazine.com Editorial: editorial@images-magazine.com Subscriptions: subscriptions@images-magazine.com | images is available free of charge to UK subscribers | Subscribe / unsubscribe / update contact details online: www.images-magazine.com Publisher/advertising: Jonathan Vince | jonathan@images-magazine.com Features editor: Rachael Glazier | rachael@images-magazine.com Design/Production: ATG Media | production@atgraphicsuk.com Printing: Stephens & George Ltd | Goat Mill Road,Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD ( issn 0966 7512) Follow images on social media: ImagesMagUK Opinions expressed by contributors in this magazine are not necessarily shared by the Publisher. Editorial contributions are invited, on the understanding that the Publisher has the right to alter or abridge all such material as he sees fit. While the greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy, the Publisher accepts no liability for either errors or omissions. NOVEMBER 2018 | VOL.27 NO.11 EDITORIAL www.images-magazine.com NOVEMBER 2018 images 05 NOVEMBER 14-15, 2018 Newtech - Leicester Hilton Leicester Hotel,21 Junction Approach, Leicester LE19 1WQ coactiveevents.com NOVEMBER 22, 2018 Print & Stitch - Gateshead Marriott Metrocentre Newcastle Gateshead, Marconi Way, Gateshead NE11 9XF printandstitch.org JANUARY 8-10, 2019 PSI 2019 Messe Düsseldorf, Arena-Straße, 40474 Düsseldorf, Germany psi-messe.com JANUARY 13-14, 2019 Trophex Live 2019 Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ trophex.com JANUARY 20-22, 2019 Printwear & Promotion Live! 2019 Halls 17 & 18, The NEC, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT printwearandpromotionlive.co.uk FEBRUARY 13-15, 2019 RemaDays 2019 PTAK Warsaw Expo, al. Katowicka 62, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Wolica 114D, Warsaw Poland remadays.com APRIL 2-4, 2019 Sign & Digital UK 2019 Halls 3 and 3A, The NEC, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT signuk.com MAY 18, 2019 Fespa Global Expo 2019 Messe München, Messegelände, 81823 Munich, Germany fespa.com JUNE 20-26, 2019 ITMA 2019 Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain itma.com SEPTEMBER 17-19, 2019 The Print Show Hall 9, The NEC, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT theprintshow.co.uk OCTOBER 23-25, 2019 Printing United Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 S Griffin St, Dallas, Texas, 75202, USA info.printingunited.com DIARY