Dear John,

British fashion may be approaching the end of the catwalk.

Iconic brands are losing a key market, as VAT and handling fees become unmanageable.

Fashion designer Katharine Hamnett has paused sales of her clothing to the EU due to paperwork and costs under the government’s barebones trade deal.

Known for her classic “Fashion Hates Brexit” T-shirts, Hamnett reported new trading rules were adding an 30% to the cost of her products sold in Europe.

The UK fashion industry is worth £35 billion, and supports 900,000 jobs – over a quarter of which are already at risk due to COVID. Send a message to your MP, and call on them to cut VAT charges, simplify trade and build on this unworkable deal.

Hamnett is just the latest in a series of fashion industry leaders who say the UK-EU trading relationship is unsustainable for their business.

According to an urgent letter sent to Boris Johnson last month, signed by 400 fashion figures including Twiggy and Yasmin Le Bon, the fashion industry is facing “decimation” from the Government’s red tape.

And the industry faces more complications as trademarks registered in the EU must be duplicated in UK law, creating yet more cost for British businesses. You can read about how the UK can improve our trading relationship with Europe here.  

Send the report to your MP, and make sure they know this state of play is unsustainable. Make sure they understand how the barebones trade deal is impacted British businesses, and call on them to push for a closer alignment with EU rules. Send your message now. 

Hammnett has warned the government: “British brands will die” without comprehensive renegotiation of the UK-EU trade deal.

It seems Britain’s global reputation for fashion is becoming another victim Brexit reality.

Best wishes,

Naomi Smith, 
CEO, Best for Britain