Farming for food or…fibre? - Prof Ian Gilligan

13 Oct '07

3 min read

He stresses, “Textiles only became more appropriate and comfortable as a material for clothing once the global climate became warm (and more humid) after the end of the ice age. This is why farming only happened when the climate got warm again after the ice age, around 10,000 years ago - and why agriculture only emerged in societies where clothing was socially necessary.”

Ian states, “Some of the fibres that gained rapid popularity during the periods included hemp, ramie, jute and silk in China, cotton in India, as well as bark cloth made from beating the bark of trees in Southeast Asia.”

According to the thesis, clothing as fashion started from regions like China in the later stages of Ice Age. It gradually took strong hold in other parts of the world through spread of populations and cultural influences, which contributed to the expansion of farming.

Ian Gillian presents a strong case. Whatever maybe the reason for farming, in today's modern world, one thing is for sure…. The finest clothing made is a person's skin, but, of course, society demands something more than this!

Fibre2fashion, News Desk - India

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