Textiles

Textiles industry decline or re-align?

In Victorian times, the UK textiles industry led the world, but now that firms face competition from overseas producers, clothing retailers are sourcing further afield.
Retailers are now looking to import up to half their clothing from abroad.

Strong currency, cheap imports, the loss of foreign markets and higher labour costs all play their part.
Quoted companies have seen share prices tumble, and the sector now accounts for little more than 0.25% of the FTSE All-Share index.

Competition is claimed by free-marketeers to have a positive influence, making British textiles more creative, efficient and responsive, traits it will need to maintain if it is to stay a force in UK manufacturing. Using a knowledgebase to develop new technical fabrics for use for example in sports clothing.

Technical fabrics.

Textiles are used in many high tech industries. Aviation textiles have to meet very stringent regulations, but are also used by airlines to project strong corporate image and identity.
If you are successful, dressing up your yacht can be an exciting experience. Boat design, both interior and exterior, requires not just your personal preferences but would also require the help of professional designers. Marine fabrics, from sails to interior fabrics to sailing clothing, design is integral to them all.
Marine textiles involve technical specifications, waterproofing, UV resistance, damp and mould resistance or the composition of your foams inside the boat have to be fire resistant or your boat’s flooring made of high quality non-slip materials. Those considerations will help you determine the kind of materials you’ll need in your boat. Of course, this can only be achieved with the help of designers.

Interior fabrics and home furnishings.

Designer fabrics, soft furnishings and a matter of taste.

Textile designers create the fabric designs for woven, knitted and printed fabrics used to make interior furnishings and textile products.
Interior designers plan and organise the design and decoration (as a Whole) of the inside of both new and existing buildings. This can include both private houses and buildings interiors such as offices, hotels, restaurants and shops.

Contemporary textile designs often incorporate traditional English decorated fabrics, using traditional fabric painting and printing techniques such as silkscreen printing. Damasks, French linen, specialist linen and textured handmade wallpapers are even today much sought after.