To celebrate Fashion Revolution Week, Premier Digital Textiles outlines its commitment to ethical fashion
Fashion Revolution Week encourages consumers to ask, ‘Who made my clothes?’
At Premier Digital Textiles, we proudly respond: ‘I made your fabric’. And that’s because we believe fashion should be a force for good.
Now in its 11th year Fashion Revolution Week started in the wake of the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh.
As a global movement it justly continues to raise awareness about the human rights and environmental impacts of the fashion and textile industry.
Premier Digital Textiles, Europe’s leader in delivering high-quality fabric truly prepared for digital print, has long been an avid supporter – and contributor – of the need for transparency, fairness and sustainability in the fashion industry.
Our commitment to change: How we’re contributing
At Premier Digital Textiles, we believe fashion should be a force for good and are proud to share the actions we’re taking to build a more ethical and sustainable fashion and textile industry. The goal is to shift the fashion and textile industry towards practices that prioritise people and the environment over profits.
1. Transparency in our supply chain
We’re committed to transparency, ensuring that we know exactly where our fabric comes from. We collaborate closely with our mill partners to guarantee ethical production, fair wages and safe working conditions. Our mill partners meet social audit requirements including SA8000, Fair Trade, STeP by Oeko-Tex and GOTS.
2. Sustainable materials and practices
We’re reducing our environmental footprint by using eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled cotton and recycled polyester. Our mill partners’ strategic actions in renewable energy, emission reduction, water conservation, recycling and circularity underline this.
3. Supporting fair labour practices
Fair wages and safe working conditions are at the heart of our mission. We partner with suppliers who uphold labour rights and are dedicated to improving the lives of their workers. Our mill partners go beyond the basics, offering equal opportunities supporting community welfare programmes and providing benefits such as subsidised education, free accommodation, transport and medical check-ups.
4. Ethical design and production
We focus on creating durable cloth that stands the test of time. By designing for longevity, we reduce overconsumption and encourage customers to invest in quality.
As part of our commitment to these values, we work alongside global mill partners and maintain close working relationships with UK weavers and finishers who share our same values.
Global mill partners: Our Head of Supply Chain Sarah Marlow reflects on “invaluable” visits
As part of our commitment to improving the way we work with our mill partners, our Head of Supply Chain, Sarah Marlow, recently undertook trips to meet with some of them.
These trips were an invaluable part of our ongoing mission to ensure ethical and sustainable practices across our supply chain.
Reflecting on her travels in 2024, Sarah shared her insights and the importance of building and renewing relationships with global mill partners.
She said: “The primary goal of my visits was to understand the complexities of the production process and the importance of building strong relationships with our suppliers.
“I walked through the entire production journey, from fibre cleaning to final packing. It was a valuable opportunity to gain insights into quality control and international compliance.”
Sarah’s visits included both a small, specialised mill and a larger producer with over 10,000 employees.
These visits highlighted the importance of nurturing personal relationships with suppliers, ensuring shared commitment to ethical practices and quality standards.
Sarah added: “Regular updates and TEAMS meetings with our mill partners allow us to stay aligned on goals and continually improve. As we plan additional visits in 2025, I’m excited for the new perspectives and insights these will bring. I look forward to the ongoing updates and new insights we will gain through our regular meetings and planned visits in 2025”
These visits underscore the importance of staying connected with our supply chain partners and continuously seeking new ways to enhance our practices. They are a key part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability, transparency and ethical production.
‘It’s left a positive lasting impression,’ says Business Development Manager Grainne Brennan following a trip to India
Grainne Brennan recently returned from a visit to India, where she had the opportunity to spend time with one of Premier Digital Textiles’ key mill partners.
The trip, she says, proved invaluable both professionally and personally.
“This visit brought a new level of understanding and collaboration to our partnership,” Grainne shared. “As someone who works closely with the team every day, meeting them in person helped to strengthen that relationship in a really important way.”
During her time on the ground, Grainne was able to witness the full manufacturing journey, an experience that deepened her appreciation of the process.
“I gained insight into everything from spinning the yarn to weaving and finishing the final fabrics. It really helped me understand just how much is involved at every stage.”
One standout moment for her was seeing the fabric finishing process in action.
“I’ve visited our UK-based finishers before, so I had some foundational knowledge going in,” she explained, “but seeing how the process is done in India added a whole new dimension. It was fascinating.”
What left a lasting impression on Grainne was the mill’s strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices.
“Their investments in zero-discharge water treatment, afforestation projects and renewable energy really spoke to their forward-thinking approach,” she noted. “But what struck me most was their social focus – especially their efforts around women’s empowerment. Women make up 50% of the workforce, which is something truly inspiring to see in action.”
Reflecting on the experience, Grainne said: “This trip gave me far more than just insights into the manufacturing process – it gave me a deeper understanding of who we’re working with and reaffirmed why this partnership matters so much.”
UK partners
In addition to our global mill partners, we maintain close working partnerships with UK weavers and finishers. It enables us to build strong hands-on relationships.
The ability to visit regularly allows us to ensure that production is carried out ethically, with fair labour practices in place. It gives us greater transparency across our supply chain, and it’s encouraging to see our partners continually striving to improve and meet ambitious sustainability targets.
The future of fashion: What’s next?
During this journey toward a more sustainable and ethical fashion and textile industry, we rightly recognise that change takes time.
At Premier Digital Textiles we are deeply committed to contributing to a fashion and textile industry that is fair, sustainable and respects people and the planet.
So join us in the revolution
During Fashion Revolution Week 2025, we encourage you to ask, ‘Who made my clothes?’
Whether you’re purchasing fabric with us or another company, your choices matter.
By supporting ethical brands and demanding greater transparency, you help create a future that’s better for planet earth and its people.
At Premier Digital Textiles Ltd, we’re proud to be part of the solution.
Together we can revolutionise the fashion and textile industry – one conscious choice at a time.
Author: Elen Hughes, Premier Digital Textiles