A LOCAL specialist textile supplier’s links to the UK fashion sector is being highlighted in a drive to boost UK exports.

Wyedean Weaving, based in Haworth, supplies uniforms and accessories to Britain’s armed forces and overseas uniformed services. including the United Nations.

Trade experts say Wydean’s growing links with the fashion sector reflects the growing importance of the industry to the UK economy as it stages London Fashion Week.

Fleur-de-lis lacing produced by Wyedean featured on an infantry regiment drummers’ military tunic initially worn by Rolling Stone Mick Jagger in the 1960s and recently modelled by Kate Moss in for a fashion magazine feature on the Stones’ most famous costumes. The direct value of the sector to the British economy was £26 billion in 2014, making it the UK’s largest creative industry, supporting around 800,000 jobs.

Wyedean Weaving exports military and other uniforms and accessories to 60 countries and has also supplied products for films including Saving Private Ryan, 007: Die Another Day, Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Robin Wright , managing director, said: “In the past, Wyedean was primarily a manufacturer but these days, while some manufacturing remains in-house, we are more focused on managing our suppliers. This ability to be flexible, nimble and to embrace change allows us to expand our product range to appeal to sectors such as fashion and remains one of our greatest strengths.”

The firm’s growing overseas trade has been supported with Government-funded working capital to fulfil a contract to supply textile badges for UN peacekeepers’ uniforms.