Indian leather industry, which makes products for top global brands, is gearing to address a key gap in its value chain – design capabilities – for the next level of growth.

“All major brands in the world are sourcing from India. But what we are lacking is the design part. Our industry has not been able to create its own designs and that is the reason most of the factories in India are working as contract manufacturers,” Mukhtarul Amin, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE), said ahead of the second edition of International Designers Fair, which will be held on February 1-3 at the Hotel ITC Grand Chola here.

Greater participation After the first design fair, organised last year, “this year, the participation is 50 per cent more and we have see designers being hired on short-term and long-term basis to prepare new collections,” said Naresh Bhasin, Chairman, Task Force on Design.

There will be 38 designers, of which 30 will be from overseas, and they will be displaying a wide range of designs of shoes, leather goods and leather garments. More than 300 manufacturers and exporters from all over the country are expected to visit the fair.

The Council for Leather Exports plans to submit proposals to the government seeking assistance for engaging services of designers for product design and development in factories and for training local designers.

Addressing the inaugural of the India International Leather Fair in the evening, Tamil Nadu Environment Minister KC Karuppannan pointed out that nearly half India’s leather exports are from leather clusters in the State.

776 SMEs There are 776 small and medium leather units in the State and are linked to common effluent treatment plants and other effluent treatment plants.

The fair is the flagship event of the leather industry and will be held between February 1-3 at the Chennai Trade Centre. There are 460 exhibitors including 150 foreign players.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW