Fashion textiles expert honoured by People's Republic of China

03.11.2004

A University of Brighton fashion textiles expert has received the highest award granted to foreigners by the People's Republic of China, in recognition of his outstanding work with the Chinese textile industry and Education.

Bahman Mostaghimi (pictured right), Subject Leader for Fashion Textiles in the School of Architecture and Design, was presented with the prestigious Senior Foreign Experts Friendship Award by the Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu at a recent ceremony hosted by Premier Wen Jiabao in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The 84 foreign experts who received this year's awards were also invited by Premier Wen Jiabao to attend a state banquet to celebrate the 55th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The experts are from a wide spectrum of backgrounds including agriculture, manufacturing, education, environmental protection, biomedicine, human resources and business management.

Bahman's association with China began in 2002 when he took a year's sabbatical from his university post to investigate the Chinese textile industry. During 12 months living in China he visited as many textile companies as he could and built up a particularly strong working relationship with Shandong Ruyi Technological Group in Shandong Province.

He has worked with the company over the past three years, introducing staff to Western approaches to textile design and design methodology. Over this period Shandong Ruyi Woollen Textile Company Ltd has developed into an international company selling to Japan, USA and Europe and working with major fashion companies around the world.

Bahman said: "I have followed international developments in the textile industry for over 20 years and it became clear to me that the Chinese textile industry was going to be very important. Forty-seven per cent of the world's fashion textiles are now made in China and there is potential for much larger growth. It is very important for our students to understand this since new designers will need to work with China over the next two decades."

As a result of Bahman's work students from the University of Brighton BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles Design with Business course are now able to undertake industrial placements in China.

Bahman attributes his success to the fact that he approached Chinese companies offering help and advice in a spirit of equal partnership. "I was able to help the companies through building personal relationships with them and understanding their culture. But I also gained much from the experience myself and learnt a great deal technically."

He added : "I am very honoured to receive this important award. I hope there will be many opportunities for the University of Brighton to work even more closely with the Chinese textile industry in the future."

Bahman Mostaghimi is available for interview on 07798 635151

Contact:
Pat Herbert, University of Brighton, Marketing & Communications
phone 01273 643226 or email

 

Iranian-born Bahman Mostaghimi studied Fashion and Textiles at Brighton Polytechnic, graduating in 1979. He went on to obtain a masters degree in Design from the Royal College of Art in 1982. After graduating, he worked with Stunzi Sons Switzerland as a Head Designer Couture Fabric (1982-85). From 1986-87 he was Head Designer Suiting Fabric for Scabal Belgium. In 1987 he returned to Brighton to take up the post of Head of Woven Textiles and in 2001 became Subject Leader for Fashion Textiles.

The University of Brighton's BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles Design with Business course underpins creative and intellectual development with an in-depth and realistic knowledge of the fashion textiles industry.

The Friendship Award is an annual state-level award set up to thank and commend outstanding foreign experts for their contributions to China's social, scientific, educational or economic development.

 

 

Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022