VAP Trade

Sourcing & representation for the fabric, apparel, footwear & leather goods trade

VAP Trade is an independent, Leicester-based agency that connects UK trade buyers with the mills, factories and makers who produce textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods — and helps those suppliers reach UK buyers.

Send us your requirement

A striped garment being stitched on an industrial sewing machine

A new, independent agency

Working only with the trade

VAP Trade Limited was set up in May 2026 to work exclusively with the trade — brands, retailers, online sellers, wholesalers and garment manufacturers. For each requirement, we research, approach and vet suitable textile mills, apparel factories, footwear producers and leather goods makers in the UK and overseas, then put the best-matched options in front of you.

We are a young business and we are upfront about it. You deal directly with the company's director, we only take on requirements we believe we can handle, and we are paid only when a real order is placed — so our interests are aligned with yours.

More about us

Fabrics · our main focus

Knitted and woven fabrics, sourced to your specification

Whether you need a stock staple by the roll or a custom development for a new season, we look for mills that make that cloth at the quantity you need and bring you samples and prices to compare.

Single JerseyDouble JerseyInterlockRibPonte RomaMilanoLoopbackFrench TerryFleeceJacquardScubaCottonViscoseWoolLinenLycra & ElastanePoplinTwillDenimSatinCrepeVelvetCorduroyCanvasLining & knitwear

Tell us the construction, composition, weight, finish and quantity you need, and we will look for suitable mills and bring you costed options.

Printed & custom-developed

Made to your artwork & brief

For buyers who need printed or bespoke fabrics, we source against your artwork and brief — digital and rotary printed cloth, custom colourways, and seasonal developments — and we look for print houses and mills able to produce to your standard and volume.

Send us your design, your reference, or simply a description of what you're trying to achieve, and we'll come back with suppliers, samples and pricing.

Explore printed fabrics

Stock & greige fabrics

When you need volume quickly

Many mills hold in-stock fabrics and greige cloth ready to dye, finish and ship. If you need volume quickly or want to keep development costs down, tell us what you need and we'll check what is available from mills that can supply it.

Note: VAP Trade does not hold stock. Availability is confirmed by the mill at the time of enquiry.

Check availability

Beyond fabric

Apparel, footwear & leather goods

We also source and represent finished products in these three categories.

Clothing & Apparel

Finished garments and made-up apparel for retail and wholesale.

Leather being stitched on a post-bed machine, as used for shoe uppers

Footwear

Finished footwear and footwear components.

Leather Goods

Finished leather products such as bags and small leather goods, plus leather raw materials.

Who we serve

Trade buyers & suppliers

High-street and independent fashion brands
Retailers and online sellers
Wholesalers and distributors
Garment manufacturers sourcing fabric and components
Mills, factories and makers seeking UK buyers

How we're paid

Clear and upfront

Representing a supplier: the supplier pays a commission of 3–5% of the net invoice value of orders from buyers we introduce. The buyer pays us nothing.
Sourcing for a buyer: the buyer pays a sourcing fee of 5–8% of the order value, or a fixed fee for sampling-only or small jobs. The supplier pays us nothing.
We are never paid by both sides on the same order. The exact rate is confirmed in writing before any order is placed. Fee details

Disclosed Agent

Both sides always know our role.

Fee Agreed In Writing

Commission or fee, confirmed up front.

Reasonable Checks

On every business we introduce.

Supported To Delivery

With the order from enquiry to delivery.

Message us

Discuss a requirement or represent your range

Email us at info@vap-trade.com or send your details, and we'll tell you whether we can help and exactly how we would be paid. Minimum order quantities apply and vary by mill, product and fabric.

Send us your requirement