FDDI participated in the 39th India International Leather Fair (IILF-2026), which was held between 1st to 3rd February 2026 at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Chennai.The event brought together prominent stakeholders from the global leather and footwear industry. As a flagship event of India’s leather sector, the fair provided a significant platform for presenting innovations, sustainable practices, and emerging trends in leather, footwear, and allied industries.
The fair witnessed participation from several countries, including Germany, Italy, Australia, Argentina, China, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, reinforcing its global stature.
The fair was inaugurated by Mr. Jawed Ashraf, Chairman – India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Mr. Ramesh Kumar Juneja, Chairman – Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Mr. Vivek Sharma, IRS, Managing Director (MD) – FDDI, Mr. R Selvam, IAS, Executive Director, CLE, Mr. Sanjay Gupta, President - Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA), Mr. Motilal Sethi, Managing Director, M/s. Saroj International, President – Indian Leather Garments Association (ILGA) and industry leaders, Dr. Neeraj Kharwal, Mrs. L. Bharathi Devi, Lt. Col. Harsh Kondilya, Mr. M. Abdul Wahab, and international dignitaries like Mr. Michael Hasper, Ms. Antonietta Baccanari, and Mr. Cameron Nobel.
FDDI Pavilion received visits from these distinguished dignitaries, who appreciated the institute’s innovative displays.
Representing the theme “Sustainovation – where sustainability meets innovation,” the FDDI Pavilion at CCF01 Convention Centre showcased eco-friendly product collections and “TechxCraft,” a concept highlighting the future of traditional leather craftsmanship blended with contemporary design innovation.
As one of the premier events in India’s leather and footwear industry, IILF provided FDDI with an excellent platform to highlight its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design education. The fair attracted a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders, including manufacturers, exporters, designers, policymakers, and international participants, creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, and business exchange.
The FDDI stall displayed a diverse range of student-designed products, including footwear, leather goods, garments, and accessories. Many of these designs had previously received recognition at prestigious national competitions, reflecting the creativity, craftsmanship, and design excellence of FDDI students. The exhibits featured high-fashion and innovative designs, with a strong focus on eco-friendly materials and sustainable production processes, aligning with global industry trends.
Visitors were also informed about the services offered by FDDI’s International Testing Centres (ITC), which support the footwear and leather industry through advanced testing and quality assurance. Additionally, information about FDDI’s academic programmes was shared with aspiring students.
During the IILF, a technical session titled “From Hide to Heel: Circular Design Strategies and Sustainable Materials in Footwear and Leather Goods” was presented by Dr. Vimudha Muralidharan, Senior Project Engineer and Head, Centre of Excellence, FDDI Chennai. The session highlighted innovative approaches to integrating circular design principles and sustainable materials within the footwear and leather goods industry.
During the IILF, FDDI participated at International Leather Fashion Show at ITC Chennai on 01 February 2026. From bold silhouettes to refined details, the fashion show brought together innovation, tradition, and contemporary design — showcasing how leather continues to evolve on the global stage.
The show highlighted a diverse range of creations across footwear, fashion apparel, leather goods, and lifestyle accessories, demonstrating the institute’s strong emphasis on design excellence and industry-oriented training.
