FDDI participated in the 38th India International Leather Fair (IILF-2025), which was held between 1st to 3rd February 2025 at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Chennai.
The 38th IILF was inaugurated by Mrs. Supriya Sahu, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Tamil Nadu and Mr. Vimal Anand, IRS, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India in the august presence of Mr. Rajendra Kumar Jalan, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Mr. R Selvam, IAS, Executive Director, CLE, Mr. Mukhtarul Amin, Chairman and Managing Director, Superhouse Group, Mr. Sanjay Leekha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Alpine Group, Colonel Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Secretary, FDDI along with the captains of Indian leather and footwear industry.
Over 350 companies from India and abroad, including 45 exhibitors from overseas displayed their products that provided insight into latest innovations in the areas of technology and trends of leather & footwear industry. The fair had on display the entire range of products relating to leather industry from raw material to finished products and auxiliary products.
As one of the premier events in India’s leather and footwear industry, IILF provided FDDI with a prime platform to demonstrate its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design. The fair attracted key industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, exporters, designers, policymakers, and international participants, fostering a dynamic environment for collaboration and business exchanges.
The stall featured a diverse range of student-designed products, including footwear, leather goods, garments, and accessories. Many of these designs had been recognized at prestigious national awards, further highlighting the exceptional creativity and skill of FDDI’s students. The products on display showcased innovative and High fashion designs, with a notable emphasis on eco-friendly materials and processes that are becoming increasingly important in the global marketplace.
The services of FDDI’s International Testing Centres (ITC) for supporting the footwear and leather industry were also provided to the perspective visitors. Information about the academic programmes of the FDDI which is having the status of ‘Institute of National Importance’ as per FDDI Act, 2017 was also provided to the aspiring students.
Networking played a significant role at the fair, and FDDI capitalized on this by engaging with a wide range of industry leaders. Representatives from major brands like Bata, Reliance Footprint, Hindustan HFL, and Cotecna as well as leading institutions like CLE, Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) and Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), interacted with FDDI’s team. These interactions facilitated valuable knowledge exchanges, provided market insights, and opened the door for future collaborations.
A key feature of FDDI’s stall was its Start-up’s alumni brand showcase, a tribute to the success of former students who have ventured into entrepreneurship. FDDI highlighted several alumni brands, including Ms. Nidhi Priyatama (Brand Name: - Insilito 22), Ms. Bhavana Marjana (Brand Name Bhavana) and Mr. Biplab Bhattacharya (Brand Name: - Ravvani), which have gained recognition in the leather goods and footwear industries. This initiative not only celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit nurtured by FDDI, but also provided alumni with a platform to showcase their businesses, gain exposure, and explore collaboration opportunities with other industry stakeholders.
During the IILF, on 2nd February 2025, a seminar on ‘Productivity Improvement for the Footwear Sector’ was conducted by Mr. Dinesh Kumar, Head of the Department, School of Footwear Design and Production (FDP) & IDLS Awareness Session was conducted by Mr. D. Ramesh, Senior Faculty (Gr-II), FDP, FDDI Chennai campus. The seminar focused on industry-driven mechanisms, emphasizing the significance of different driving wheels in enhancing productivity. It highlighted the importance of studying a factory’s workflow before recommending tailored productivity improvement training programs. IDLS Awareness Session was specifically conducted for Managing Directors and Managers of the Kerala footwear industry. The session covered key aspects such as IDLS eligibility criteria, guidelines, required documentation formats, and the application process for the scheme.
During the fair, CLE organized the 8th edition of ‘Designers Fair’ in which FDDI displayed a wide range of creations at its stand. The stall was visited by popular overseas and Indian designers.
During the 38th IILF, Confederation of Indian Footwear Industries (CIFI) Members’ Get-Together was held on 1st February 2025 which provided excellent opportunity for industry leaders to connect, share insights, and strengthen collaborations. Colonel Pankaj Kumar Sinha, Secretary FDDI shared his views on ‘Future-Ready Skills for the Footwear Industry’. His insights on skill development, emerging trends, and the role of institutions like FDDI in preparing the workforce for the evolving footwear sector was highly valuable for industry stakeholders.
