The UK is a hub for the creative industries. Our world class art and fashion colleges draw the best talent from around the world and many of the most talented designers stay on to set up their own businesses here. This creates a pool of talent which is unique.
British-based fashion designers are highly creative and innovative when it comes to design technology and new fabrics. As an international sector specialist, I work alongside UKTI to support the whole of the UK clothing and footwear industry by highlighting overseas opportunities.
The UKTI has a wide support programme geared towards export for young up-and-coming designers, as well as established heritage brands.
We can advise companies on the most suitable markets for their products and we can help them to find suitable agents or franchises across the globe. It is fairly common that designers will see 70pc of their turnover coming from overseas sales alone.
For example, one of my selected designers to watch this year is Christopher Raeburn. Christopher participated in a UKTI initiative to promote British designers in Japan in 2010 and is just one of the thousands of designers supported by UKTI over the past ten years.
Producing garments in England, Christopher's re-appropriated military fabrics are sourced from all over Europe. Meticulous detail, considered functionality and sustainable intelligence, Christopher's loyal customers in menswear and womenswear are hitting the Far East, especially in Japan, China, Korea and the Philippines.
These designers all have a product to offer and have found niche markets. They have proved that they can produce consistent collections with a balanced combination of core products, bestsellers and seasonal innovation.
A key factor for a designer's overseas success is exhibiting at international tradeshows. Without sufficient funding, guidance and support for penetrating a new market, British designers can struggle.
As well as being a major sponsor for London Fashion Week, UKTI supports designers who wish to exhibit at international trade fairs overseas. This is an effective way for designers to test markets, attract new customers, appoint agents or distributors and make sales. Designers can apply for funding to attend international trade shows through support from UKTI's Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP).
My next trade mission to South Korea will take place between 31 March to 4 April 2014. On this mission, together with UK designers, we will be given insight into the Korean market. We will and take part in a showcase, which will be attended by over 100 fashion industry insiders, including buyers, agents and distributers.