I am, like all members of the society of dyers and colourists surely, passionate about the application of colour. Whilst my 30+ year career has completely revolved around colouration in the textile industry, I imagine everyone, irrespective of their industry will be equally fascinated by this subject within their own field.
Going back to my early years in textiles, I have found that I can be as delighted as I can be perplexed by the idiosyncrasy’s associated with the processes involved in the preparation, application, fixation, chemistry’s and finishing processes to turn something from a fibre to a finished product that is desired by end users. Converting a dull lifeless substrate into a colourful, tactile article that captures the imagination of buyers, end users and customers is something that has been around for centuries and I love the history and evolution of the industry and the cyclical nature of re-inventing the “textile wheel”.
The business end of textiles, the legislative and compliance issues, labour and management of product, the endless chase to produce something that is so variable in nature in line with cost pressure means that our passion which is colouration is never dull and never repetitive.
I am grateful to my years of learning and look forward to continuing my learning which is in essence what the SDC is all about – knowledge transfer and as such I am delighted to be a part of the team in its plight to educate the world in the science of colour.