Inspired by trade between east and west in 1600

India used to produced the world's most exquisite and luxurious textiles. With cotton and cashmere, Indians used to call the shot in trading with the West. It has changed for a very long time. Most of the fabric shops in London are run by the Indians, but there are not one single Indian (Indian-British or Indian) in my year. Is it not a promising/desired career for them at all? I guess what they have seen back home in the factories made them intuitively want to pursue another career path. Such as, engineering or business.
Is it the same in Taiwan? We used to have a strong textile manufacture business, when land and labor cost much less than today. Therefore, people in general have an impression that who works for textile works in a factory. Which is not completely wrong, cause that is where the production takes place. But where is the room for textile designer? Studio concept in Taiwan isn't as established as it is here in London, where the market is bigger to sustain the business. However, most importantly, people respect your profession.
From my internship experience in a textile factory and an aboriginal textile workshop in the mountains back home last summer, I know that textile design is definitely one of the businesses that is suffering from the national development. But when the government and corporations are eager to "develop" our country, they forget/ignore that these cultural legacy can give a soft and beautiful side to Taiwan's identity.
I just saw a talk show on a Taiwanese TV programme by Mr.Wei-chung Wang(王偉忠) interviewing Ms. Wen-chien Chen (陳文茜) the other day. They were talking about setting up a better environment for the younger generation. This is a commitment that needs to be made by both generations. Hopefully one day, I can bring something back home.

Indian textile merchant, c1800, British Library