After the Second World War erupted, my grandfather—only twenty years old—was swept into the army. In one devastating battle, his unit was nearly annihilated. Alone and desperate to survive, he slipped into a German textile factory and concealed himself for a week, always fearing the enemy’s search parties.

It was there that fate intervened. Jeff, the factory’s sixty-year-old manager and a quiet pacifist, discovered him. Instead of handing him over, Jeff offered shelter. Through broken words and gestures, Jeff learned that the young man was from Britain—a soldier whose home had been flattened by bombers and whose parents had vanished. From that moment on, Jeff became his protector, his teacher, and, in time, family. He taught my grandfather German, passed down his knowledge of textiles, and gave him a chance at a new life.

In 1944, however, fate called him back into war. When the Normandy landings began, my grandfather was pressed into a German regiment. The beaches thundered with gunfire and smoke; the air itself seemed to burn. Amid the chaos, enemy machine guns cut him down, bullets tearing through his left arm and leg. He collapsed into a trench, soaked in blood and rain, his body trembling from cold and shock.

By his side lay two comrades, David and Rivers, both wounded in the same hail of bullets. As night descended, the once-deafening roar of battle dulled to distant echoes. My grandfather’s vision blurred, and all three men clung desperately to life. Then, from his pack, he pulled out a blanket—one Jeff had given him years before. With shaking hands, he tore it into strips, binding wounds and stopping the bleeding. That simple cloth became their lifeline.

By sheer fortune, rescue came. Days later, the war drew to a close. My grandfather brought David and Rivers back to the textile factory in Germany. There, just as Jeff had once done for him, he taught them German and the craft of weaving. Together, they managed the factory side by side, turning threads of fabric into the fabric of survival itself.

In that factory my grandfather built more than a livelihood—he built a home. Sixty years passed, during which he raised a family of his own, though he never stopped searching for traces of the family he had lost.

On June 21, 2002, while in Germany, he finally received word from a distant niece. Because of the war, his parents had long since moved to Florida in the United States and settled there. Yet decades had slipped away, and they had both passed on within forty years of their relocation. Still, the message lit a fire in him. That very day he bought a ticket to Florida—and on the journey back to his long-lost family, his two wartime brothers, David and Rivers, accompanied him.

In Florida, the three of them began anew. Together they established a textile factory once again, this time producing blankets and pillows that carried not just threads of fabric, but also threads of memory and resilience. Their work reached across North America, Germany, and the Middle East—a living testament to survival, friendship, and the bonds that war could never sever.

With the passing of time, my grandfather and his comrades eventually left this world. Yet both the German factory and the American factory remain in operation. Their descendants—our family—may no longer manage them directly, but we are still part of their legacy. And now, here in China, I have founded a factory of my own, carrying forward the work of my grandfather and my father, weaving not only textiles but also the enduring story of our family.

References

[Bird's-eye view of landing craft, barrage balloons, and allied troops landing in Normandy, France on D-Day] / U.S. Maritime Commission photo.https://www.loc.gov/item/94505434/

https://www.loc.gov/resource/cph.3b28970/[The Imperial Fez Factory which has been recently built] b&w film copy neg.

Butterfly Factory, Great Road, Saylesville, Providence County, RIhttps://www.loc.gov/item/ri0114/

Jewish factories in Palestine on Plain of Sharon & along the coast to Haifa. Acre. Kafar-Ata.The "Ata" Textile Co. The wadding planthttps://www.loc.gov/item/2019713372/

Some key moments in Lei's growth

In 2004, Lei's returned to China and entered the textile industry. At that time, she did not rely on her family background but instead relied on her hard work and deep passion for the industry to begin her exploration. Lei's was responsible for the entire process, from fabric to finished products. Over the five years of hands-on practice, she not only learned to design products, think about production processes, and develop sales strategies based on market needs, but also accumulated valuable experience in actual operations and overcame many challenges in the industry. In particular, Lei's understanding of the Chinese market and her deep exploration of its potential revealed the gap between the domestic and international textile industries, where she found opportunities for breakthroughs. By combining internationally leading technologies and market trends, she was able to merge global fashion trends with the needs of Chinese consumers, which earned her widespread recognition in the industry. In just five years, Lei's transformed from a beginner into a leader in the industry, capable of independently leading in her field.

In 2009, Lei's founded Perfect art textiles Factory, marking her first step into the textile manufacturing field. She was no longer content with merely exploring and learning in the industry; instead, she decided to personally create and control the entire production process. From that moment on, she transformed her experience and knowledge in the textile industry into actual production power, embarking on a brand-new challenge. The establishment of Perfect art textiles was not only a significant milestone in Lei's career but also represented her pursuit of quality and innovation. Through her keen market insights, combined with advanced international production technologies and processes, she aimed to create high-quality home textiles that were both artistic and practical. The establishment of the factory allowed her to more efficiently integrate design concepts with actual production, achieving a seamless connection from creativity to product. Through Perfect art textiles, Lei's not only demonstrated her deep understanding of the industry but also laid a solid foundation for her future in the textile sector. This decision allowed her to better control product quality, expand production capacity, and stand out in the fiercely competitive market.

In 2014, Lei's began to expand her vision to customers in the Middle East. This strategic shift marked a new phase in her career. Through in-depth analysis and understanding of the Middle Eastern market, Lei's identified the immense potential for high-quality home textiles in the region. She took proactive steps to expand the Perfect art textiles brand in the Middle East market. She not only focused on product quality and innovation but also integrated local culture and consumer habits, creating unique products tailored to the needs of Middle Eastern customers. Through precise market positioning and personalized services, Perfect art textiles successfully entered the Middle Eastern market, gaining the trust and favor of numerous partners and customers. This strategic expansion not only significantly boosted Perfect art textile's international influence but also brought new growth opportunities for the business. With her sharp market insights and determined execution, Lei’s laid a solid foundation for Perfect Art textile's global development.

In 2019, Factory achieved significant success in the Middle East, winning the trust and cooperation of a large number of clients. After several years of deep cultivation and effort, the Perfect art Home brand's influence in the Middle Eastern market gradually expanded. With her exceptional market sensitivity and outstanding product quality, Factory attracted the attention of many local customers. That year, Perfect art textile not only strengthened existing client relationships but also expanded its customer base through customized products and efficient services. Under Lei’s leadership, the company deeply understood and met the special needs of Middle Eastern customers for home textiles, successfully creating a brand image that aligned with the local culture. Through the breakthroughs in 2019, Perfect art textiles established a more solid foundation in the Middle Eastern market and paved the way for future international development. With her strategic vision and the collective efforts of her team, the company secure more international orders and laid a solid foundation for the brand's global expansion.

Looking ahead, Lei’s plans to expand Perfect art textiles business into the South American and European markets. With the acceleration of globalization, Leis understands that in addition to consolidating its advantages in the Middle East, opening up new international markets will be key to the company's continued growth and development. South America and Europe, as important global home markets, hold enormous potential and diverse demands. Leis and the team will continue to adhere to the principle of balancing innovation and quality, tailoring home textile products to meet local market characteristics and consumer preferences. Through precise market positioning, strong brand promotion, and flexible collaboration models, Perfect art textiles plans to establish a solid customer base and brand influence in these two regions. Lei’s believes that as the company continues to grow, Perfect art textiles will achieve a more comprehensive and far-reaching global presence. The expansion into South America and Europe will further drive the company's internationalization process and enhance the brand's global competitiveness.