Fashion suppliers and out of industry experts will unite at the ASBCI Annual Industry Conference 2008 to tackle the impact that unseasonal weather conditions and raw material shortages are having on the global clothing supply chain. The conference entitled: 'Flip-flops or fleeces? Weathering an unpredictable fashion climate' will be held on Tuesday 20th May 2008 at the Dunchurch Park Hotel, in Dunchurch, Rugby.
Out of industry specialists from the Royal Meteorological Society, the Bank of Scotland and Parliament will join speakers from Marks & Spencer, Tesco Stores, Patagonia eco-brand, Kurt Salmon Associates, Reliance - the world's largest polyester fibre supplier, the Soil Association and ethical designer of high street fashion Julia Smith.
The conference will address such crucial issues as global weather patterns for 2008, oil and steel shortages, cost and eco-effective sourcing strategies, alternative fibres to polyester, sustainable retailing, organic supply chains, sustainable packaging innovations and ethical designs for the high street.
The conference will open under the informed guidance of Julie King, the day conference proceedings chairman and head of department fashion and textiles, at Leicester's De Montfort University. Professor Paul Hardaker, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society will give a keynote presentation in which he dispels some meteorological myths, examines changes in global weather patterns and endeavours to forecast the weather on the UK high street for 2008.