Prezzo Basso Skilled Immigrants in the Textile and Fashion Industries Stories from a Globe-Spanning History Nazanin Hedayat Munroe (New York City College of Technology, USA) 9781350273276

With contributions from leading experts, this edited collection presents original research on the skills brought by immigrant communities to the textile and fashion industries, from the early modern to postmodern periods in Asia and the Islamic World, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Manufacturing of textiles and apparel is arduous work, which historically depended on skilled artisans, inexpensive labor, and the introduction of labor-saving technology. Immigrant communities supplied much of the work force, bringing their own skill sets to new locations, leading to the development of new manufacturing centers and an increase in both production and technical expertise. Throughout the volume, the role of migration and immigrant involvement in manufacturing is also examined in relation to trade, politics, and socio-religious circumstances prompting relocation.
Deconstructing the question of provenance by examining the cultural identity of migrant populations, the research brings to light ongoing dilemmas and practices of diaspora communities. By analyzing material, mythical, and technical aspects of textile and apparel production, contributors create a new narrative about textile- and garment-making as a collective endeavor, requiring diversity of skill and methodology to thrive.

Fresh perspectives on the historical significance of immigrants as both laborers and specialists in textile and apparel production across the globe from the early modern period to the present.
Book Information
ISBN 9781350273276
Author Nazanin Hedayat Munroe
Format Paperback
Page Count 272
Imprint Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC