Alexa Chung speaks of worries over Brexit uncertainty for UK fashion industry

Alexa Chung has spoken of her concerns about the impact of Brexit on the UK’s fashion industry (Matt Crossick/PA Wire) Credit: PA Archive/PA Images

Brexit is causing uncertainty for the £32 billion UK fashion industry, the head of the British Fashion Council has warned.

And leading designer Alexa Chung said she was worried about the possible impact of limits on freedom of movement for creative workers as a result of EU withdrawal.

Speaking as London Fashion Week began, BFC chairwoman Stephanie Phair told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "It is the uncertainty that makes it difficult for the industry to figure out how to plan for Brexit in their strategies.

London Fashion Week is one of the industry’s main global showcases. Credit: PA

"It is an industry that is complex. It requires manufacturing abroad, designing here, reshipping abroad. It is a mix of goods, services and talents.

"So what we are talking to Government about is really frictionless borders, tariff-free access to the EU and the ability for talent to move, the free movement of people."

Asked what impact a no-deal Brexit would have, she said: "We don’t know, because we don’t know what that no-deal Brexit would look like."

Alexa Chung arriving for the Burberry Prorsum womenswear catwalk show at Kensington Gardens, as part of London Fashion Week in 2016. Credit: PA

Asked about the impact of Brexit on her multinational operations, Ms Chung told the programme: "This is something that I have fears about.

"Our warehouse is in the Netherlands, there are British people in here, but we also have lots of talented people from all over the world, so that worries me.

"I think it takes that kind of melting pot of cultures and perspectives to make something creatively interesting, so if that is limited then I am sure it would have an impact on what we are making here.

"I don’t know what’s going to happen. I do have concerns for my business and how that is going to fare."