The mission of The Textile Institute is to promote professionalism in all areas associated with the textile industries worldwide. It is an association of men and women throughout the world which unites those with an interest in textiles. The individual professional expertise of members is diverse: it includes management, art, design, fashion, economics, science, engineering, research, production, marketing, selling, retailing, education and training. These skills relate to the totality of industrial and commercial operations from fibre production to the use of products by individual and corporate consumers.

The word "textile", which originally referred to woven fabrics, now covers the broad field of products made from fibres. The scope of The Textile Institute covers all the textile industries which include: fibre, yarn and fabric manufacturing; dyeing and finishing; production of knitwear and making-up of clothing; footwear production; manufacture of carpets, soft furnishings and other household textiles; manufacture of textile products used in engineering, agriculture, medicine and other fields; and the distribution and retailing of textile products to personal and commercial markets.

The Textile Institute is an international organization governed by a Council representing members throughout the world. It is legally constituted by a Royal Charter, granted in Britain in 1925 and is registered as a charity in England; the Institute is recognized as a non-profit association under the laws of many countries. More detailed direction of the Institute's affairs is carried out by an international Board, supported by Committees, all of which have a global membership, and by staff at the International Headquarters in Manchester.

The success of The Textile Institute depends on the activities of the worldwide Sections and National Committees in many countries and of the Groups covering special occupational interests. The main central functions are the provision of an operational framework and the maintenance of quality, particularly in regard to professional qualifications and the spread of information to members and others. Council has adopted a policy of increasing decentralization and empowerment directed towards local needs in particular by the establishment of National or Regional Offices, which will progressively take over some administrative responsibilities.

The role of The Textile Institute may be summarized in the following way:-

• To bring together professionals from all countries in an association that is simultaneously a body setting professional standards, a learned society advancing knowledge and industrial practice, an interactive network for the exchange of ideas and a social community promoting friendship among members
• To promote the continuing recruitment of professional talent to the textile industries and its enhancement throughout individual careers. The professionalism is shown by self-confidence and flair; technical, economic or design capability; rational and systematic thought; creativity and judgement; sensitivity to the environment, and to other professions, nationalities and cultures; appreciation of the global range of textile activities and the changing requirements of the market place; and a lifetime commitment to personal education and professional advancement
• To define quality in textile education and training, to help young people become professionals and to recognize basic training and practical application by the award of professional qualifications
• To recognize excellence and achievement in the operation and products of the textile industries, and to encourage creative contributions to the advancement of knowledge, to practical technology, and to management, marketing, design and education
• To make information available through publications, conferences, and the increasing power of electronic networking
• To maintain a code of good practice, with ethics, values, trust and respect, appropriate in the conduct of professionals; and to support members in following this out
• To educate the public and inform governments on the realities of the textile industries
• To operate democratically in order to serve the needs of members, and to provide opportunities for leadership and for interaction throughout a global textile network
• To bring in sufficient resources to run the Institute effectively, including the voluntary service of members, support from companies, grants and joint ventures, as well as membership subscriptions and revenue from operations
• To maintain the reputation for integrity, excellence and achievement associated with The Textile Institute - which has been achieved by the dedication and service of past and present members