The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced its support for a second referendum vote on Brexit following the news that Theresa May’s latest proposed deal had been rejected by MPs, marking the largest government defeat in history.

The organisation released a statement on Wednesday ahead of the no-confidence vote tabled by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, which May survived, stressing that a no-deal Brexit “should be avoided at all costs”.

“The ongoing uncertainty and confusion that a no deal creates will have a negative impact on our industry, where investment is already impacted from the uncertainty being faced,” it reads.

“A no deal situation will result in no transition period, and with an industry that is predominantly small-medium enterprises, we would struggle to cope with the trade realities that it would bring.”

The BFC added that in light of the risks and the industry-wide support to remain at the time of the referendum, they are calling for a second vote on Brexit – a cause championed by The Independent’s Final Say campaign – citing it as “the preferred option” to minimise the adverse effects of a no-deal scenario.

“We will continue to work with government and designer businesses to navigate these difficult times and consider all options put forward,” the statement concludes.

Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Show all 45 1 /45 Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Kaia Gerber, who won Model of the Year, wears an embellished gown by Alexander McQueen AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Kate Moss wears a glamorous emerald green satin gown with coordinating platform heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests 2017's Model of the Year winner, Winnie Harlow wears a silver embellished gown with feathery cuffs and hem AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Supermodel Kendal Jenner wears a sheer gold gown with a thigh-high split by Julien McDonald AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Singer Lana Del Rey, who presented an award on the night, wears a velvet dress and coordinating cape by Gucci Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests The Duchess of Sussex wears Givenchy to present an award to the brand's artistic director Clare Waight Keller Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Fashion designer Victoria Beckham wears a black jumpsuit with a strappy neckline, while husband David sports a classic black suit AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Neelam Gill opts for a chainmail mini dress, statement necklace and furry white handbag AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Model Poppy Delevingne wears a pretty pink Prada look with De Grisogono jewellery AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Sudanese-British supermodel, Alek Wek, who hosted the event, wears a simple black dress by Emilia Wickstead which featured a giant pink bow on the back AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Rosie Huntington-Whiteley opts for a mermaid-style dress with a black cape by Givenchy AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Riz Ahmed opted for an all-white suit with a longline blazer and loose trousers Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Fashion designer Charles Jeffrey wears a bright cobalt suit, beret and gold boots Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Alice Naylor-Leyland accessorised her frothy ivory tiered dress with a small black handbag Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Lauren Santo Domingo opts for a green dress with a squared neckline by Emilia Wickstead Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Olivia Palermo wears an oversized red trouser suit Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Jenna Coleman opts for a girlish cream dress with a high, frilled neckline Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Alexa Chung wore a mustard velvet midi dress with a matching box bag and velvet Mary-Jane heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Aquaria wears a colourful creation by Matty Bovan with long gloves Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests British model Reece King wears a floral suit with cuban heeled boots Rex Features Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Lily McMenamy wears an ivory dress with fluffy hems and black heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Rochelle Humes opts for a black one-shouldered jumpsuit and feathery heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Uma Thurman opts for a Prada velvet gown with an embellished shoulder detail AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Penelope Cruz wears a floor-length embellished silver gown AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Laura Bailey opts for a monochrome gown and a quilted clutch AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Liv Tyler wears a printed silk blouse and smart trousers AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Actor Naomie Harris sports an embellished mini dress and strappy metallic heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Jerry Hall wears a chocolate brown top with a black maxi skirt AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Model Leomie Anderson wears a striped sequin mini dress and strappy heels AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Fashion designer Molly Goddard opts for a gold lame dress featuring ruffles and an off the shoulder neckline AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Lady Amelia Windsor opts for a pink chiffon gown with a delicate blue pattern AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Brooke Shields keeps things classic with a sleek all-black look AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Actor Eleanor Tomlinson wears an embellished metallic gold gown AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Singer Paloma Faith wears a showstopping tulle dress with a studded chain belt by Dilara Findikoglu AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Jourdan Dunn opts for a feathery sequinned dress by 16 Arlington AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Rita Ora, who presented one of the night’s awards, opted for a printed Prada co-ord set in red with knee high tights and a red handbag AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Erin O’Connor wrapped up in a black velvet gown complete with a printed metallic cape AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests English model Georgia May Jagger coordinated her bright pink hair with a matching trouser suit AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Fashion designer Emilia Wickstead wears a bright red and pink colour-block dress with a scalloped hem AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Carey Mulligan wears a chiffon gown complete with a metallic polka dot print AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Doutzen Kroes wears a black dress with sheer polka dot cut-out details AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Gucci designer Alessandro Michele opts for a trouser suit and a checked coat, accessorising with a crown AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Model Arizona Muse wears a red lace jumpsuit with an obi belt AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Elizabeth Jagger wears for a floor-length red dress with an oversized black blazer AFP/Getty Images Fashion Awards 2018: The best dressed guests Cindy Crawford wears a velvet gown complete with thigh-high split and ruffled neckline AFP/Getty Images

Fashion critic Sarah Mower told British Vogue that a no-deal Brexit would lead to “unthinkable repercussions for fashion entrepreneurs”, explaining that it would cause severe shipping delays that could severely impact the success of emerging talents in the industry.