My Textiles Network

Welcome to the July 2020 edition of My Textiles Network membership news! 

My Textiles Network has been created to enable my vast international network of connections in the textile industry to connect with each other - and to inform, educate and exchange views along the way. If you would like to join, please click on the link below and select the level of membership which suits you best.

Each month, I write to members asking them to tell me the types of contacts which would be useful, and then I search through my network and select the names of 5 contacts whom I think will be helpful. It isn’t an automated service. I pick the contacts out of my network of 20,000 + industry professionals, based on my understanding of each members’ specific needs during that month.

We are certainly living through interesting times. The year 2020 will be recorded in history as being significant – for the impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has affected all of us, the Black Lives Matter movement, and for the ways in which people and governments reacted in times of crisis.

In many ways, current events have brought people and communities together, albeit virtually. But inequalities are also being highlighted, and some people are being driven further away from society. We need to be aware of these divisions, and all play our parts in healing them in any way possible.

“Out of sight” must not mean “out of mind”.

The current crisis has also drawn my attention to exploitation which has been taking place in the garment manufacturing sector. Many orders from western brands were cancelled during lockdown, and payment withheld – even though the materials had already been purchased and goods had already been produced by factories. This has left some factory owners in a desperate situation, unable to pay their workers who face the prospect of losing their livelihoods as a consequence.

While many of us feel powerless to act in defence of the victims, it is important that we use our voices – and buying power – to avoid those brands which cancelled their orders and withheld payment, put pressure on them to pay up, and support those ethical businesses who do the right thing first time.

In the words of Eleanor Roosevelt:

“When you have decided what you believe, what you feel must be done, have the courage to stand alone and be counted.”

Have a great month!

Belinda Carp, Founder of My Textiles Network