The British Fashion Council is against Brexit and says the decision to leave should come with a deal or it could have dramatic impacts. The council says a no-deal Brexit is a scenario that should be avoided at all costs. The ongoing uncertainty and confusion that a no deal creates would have a negative impact on the industry, where investment is already being impacted from the uncertainty being faced. A no-deal situation would also result in no transition period, and an industry that is predominantly small-medium enterprises would struggle to cope with the trade realities that it would bring.

That apart a multitude of challenges would be facing the industry. Delays in shipping, particularly from manufacturing and textile dominant locations such as Italy, Portugal and Romania, as well as the transfer of people in and out of countries, could be enough to sink some smaller or newer brands.

The British Fashion Council has established a Brexit technical working group which is analysing and making plans for the potential impacts that the industry would face when the United Kingdom leaves the EU. Individuals from a variety of areas in the fashion industry have been inducted into this group, all passionate about the future of fashion in Britain.