Key research themes
1. How did the introduction of synthetic dyes and industrial materials transform traditional textile production in colonial and post-colonial contexts?
This theme investigates the material and technological shifts in textile production triggered by industrialization and colonial trade networks, focusing on the integration of synthetic dyes and imported fibres alongside traditional natural materials. Understanding these transitions reveals how local textile practices adapted in response to global economic and technological forces during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. What factors influenced the industrialization trajectories and market adaptations of textile industries in diverse geographic regions from the 19th to 20th centuries?
This research area explores the economic, social, and organizational determinants shaping the development and decline of textile sectors in distinct regions — including China, Europe, South Asia, and the Balkans — with emphasis on production organization, consumer demand alignment, and global market integration. Comparative analyses of historical industrialization patterns and deindustrialization processes provide insights into regional successes and failures in textile manufacturing.
3. How have historical textile production and fashion been conceptualized and preserved within academic and heritage frameworks?
This theme focuses on the historiography, academic study, and preservation of textile and fashion heritage, including the challenges of interdisciplinary research dissemination, museology, and cultural sustainability. It considers methodologies, institutional contexts, and the evolving recognition of textile history within broader academic and cultural heritage landscapes.