Three staff of DASED attended an International Training Workshop on “Processing Technology and Innovation Design of Modern Silk Products”, 12th-26th Oct 2017. The Workshop was hosted and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology, People’s Republic of China and the event was organized by ZSTU.
ZSTU has a remarkable history of silk education, research and development spanning over 120 years! The College of Materials and Textiles and the Silk Institute at ZSTU have grown into a prestigious educational location with distinctive characteristics, strength and international influence.
In Mauritius, most of the silk products are imported from Asian countries, in particular, China and India. They come in the form of silk yarns, fabrics and finished apparel goods. Some of the imported silk materials are for upholstery or home/domestic products such as covers for cushions and beds etc. There is no textile industry which is specifically geared towards the production of silk and silk fabrics in Mauritius. However, there is substantial activity around the use of silk yarns and silk fabrics for the production of high-end and value added silk products. Silk is a highly priced items for both apparel and home products such as dresses, scarves, ties, covers, bags and shoes.
There are a few designers who use quite substantial amount of silk fabric in their collection of silk scarves, ties, kaftans, dresses, shirts etc. For example, silk kaftans from the Mauritius Indian Ocean Collection of silk designer kaftans and silk mini dresses are made from delicate sheer silk fabrics decorated with clusters of golden grapes soft pink & gold beading and embroidery around the neckline and the body of the silk kaftans are hand painted and tie dyed to create various tropical effect for casual and other resort wear. There are also a number of shopping venues and malls which sell silk products, hand-painted locally at affordable prices.
This workshop on “Processing Technology and Innovation Design of Modern Silk Products” would allow resource persons attending the workshop to gain knowledge, know-how about silk, its processes and the different innovative products that may be derived from this high value natural fibre. There is a wide scope to expand the business of silk products notably in the sphere of lingerie, dresses, and suit. The experience gained from the workshop would benefit students well in that the acquired skills and techniques for the processing of silk materials would serve them for the development of value added and high-end products. The government has a number of schemes for students and entrepreneurs who could, through entrepreneurship, become drivers of the economy and provide an engine for growth and employment creation.
The participants attended lectures, seminars and talks given by experts in various areas of silk processing and innovative silk design at ZSTU. They also visited ZSTU silk museum, silk processing factories, Huzhou Silk Town and Museums, Hangzhou National Textile and Fashion Creative Design Experimental Park, and attended “Belt and Road Forum for International Silk” at Silk Expo, Hangzhou, Oct 2017 and a silk fashion show organised by Silk Expo. It was a very enriching experience for the participants.
UoM participants attending the workshop at ZSTU, Hangzhou; left to right: Dr Roshan Unmar; Dr Naraindra Kistamah and Mr Arvind Balloo.
Display of silk products at High Fashion Silk Zhejiang Co. Ltd
Designers’ Fashion show, Silk Expo, Hangzhou, Oct 2017.
