The benefit of textile design research to the textile designer.

If Textile Designers do not embark on and utilise textile research we will be left in a 'sole less' vacuum. The following article aims to show the benefit of textile design research to the textile designer. Textile design is increasingly complex, and influenced by a number of factors such as ethical textiles, sustainability, fast versus slow fashion, new digital technology and science. It is therefore necessary for increased research by the textile designer into these areas in order to understand and gain knowledge that can be incorporated into the vast textile industry so that we produce the most relevant cloth and fabrics, that satisfy both consumer and ethical requirements. 'Work on good prose has three steps: a musical stage when its composed, an architectonic stage when its built and textile stage when its woven?' Walter Benjamin 1892-1940. In this article I intend to look at how textile design research is vital to the textile designer, and how the textile mills, which are investing in textile research and science, have the prospect a brighter future. I will also highlight that more support is required for eco friendly textiles and fashion if we are going to absorb the amount of clothing and textiles being produced in today's consumer market.