Images_Digital_Edition_January_2019

INDUSTRY NEWS www.images-magazine.com 16 images JANUARY 2019 Sign & Digital invites visitors to shape the 2019 show The organisers of Sign & Digital UK, the sign making, display solutions and digital printing show, are offering attendees the opportunity to help shape the 2019 show. They can use the online form at www.signuk.com/help-us-shape- the-show# to pose questions they‘d like to hear answered on the main stage, as well as suggest speakers for the show. Jane Lewis, marketing manager for Sign & Digital UK, said: “In the current climate, where markets are constantly changing, business owners need to get smarter to retain and win business. We’re delighted to offer the industry the chance to get involved with this year’s show to ensure we’re offering the most relevant and supportive advice to our visitors. We hope this will enable business owners to learn valuable lessons that will help them grow their business, diversify their offering and put them at the top of their game.“ Sign & Digital UK takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 2-4 April 2019, and is free to attend. www.signuk.com Visitors can suggest speakers for Sign & Digital UK 2019 Government to select a fashion disability champion The government announced on 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, that it is recruiting a new fashion disability champion to help tackle the issues disabled people face as consumers. Minister for Disabled People Health and Work Sarah Newton said: “There are nearly 14 million disabled people living in the UK, and our world- leading fashion industry must ensure it is capitalising on the spending power of their households – ‘the purple pound‘ – worth £249 billion every year. “Our new champion will promote the commercial benefits of inclusive design which can improve brand loyalty in a highly competitive market, while also ensuring that disabled people can follow the latest trends like everyone else.“ The champion is expected to use their influential status as a leader in the fashion industry to highlight the need for more inclusive clothing ranges and promote the work of designers in this field. Clothing that takes disabled people’s needs into account can be difficult to find, and many fashion retailers are missing out on the custom of a fifth of the population who have a disability or long- term health condition, reports the government. The new champion will join the existing 14 champions who are already driving improvements to the accessibility of services and facilities in a range of sectors, including banking, music and tourism. Completed expressions of interest must be returned by midnight on 13 January 2019. www.gov.uk/government/ news/seeking-disability-sector- champions-for-2019 Pure London 2019 to collaborate with United Nations Conscious Fashion Campaign Pure London 2019, which is being held at Olympia, London, from 10-12 February, will feature a collaboration with the United Nations Conscious Fashion Campaign. Supported by the United Nations Office for Partnerships, a dedicated installation for the Conscious Fashion Campaign (CFC) will be hosted in Pure London’s Conscious section showcasing ethical and sustainable fashion brands. Pure Conscious partner Common Objective will also hold a panel discussion with United Nations speakers to discuss the key issues facing the fashion industry and the importance of their sustainable development goals. Julie Driscoll, managing director at Pure London, said: “Since launching Conscious and our Power of One campaign to promote change across the fashion industry, Pure London has set out to champion brands who put sustainability at the forefront of their business and provide a platform for retailers to discover exciting new ethical brands to meet the growing consumer expectations.“ Pure London 2019 is a fashion trade event that features 1,300 womenswear, menswear and kidswear collections and 160 garment and fabric suppliers from 13 countries. www.purelondon.com Follow us on social media: @imagesmaguk