Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association (IFMLEA) to host Leather Fashion show'23 at Chennai

• The leather industry is making multiple investments into environmentally conscious processes
• ‘Waste to fashion’ products made from recycled leather are gaining ground globally
• A state-of-the-art Application Technology centre will be setup by Henkel/ Saba Group in Vellore
• The Leather Fashion show will be held on 1st Feb, ’23 at the ITC Grand Chola 
• All the products displayed in the Leather Fashion Show have been produced in a sustainable and eco friendly fashion in Leather Working Group [LWG] accredited tanneries 
• The Leather Fair will feature 450 exhibitors from India and 20 countries.

24th January 2023, Chennai: The Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association (IFMLEA) is an Indian trade body dedicated to the service, welfare and success of the Indian Leather Industry, the International Leather Industry and to all the members of the Association. 

IFLMEA works to promote and protect the interests of its members by providing guidance on issues that deal with the manufacture and trade – domestic and international - of finished leather. IFLMEA are also at the forefront of creating awareness in India about the sustainable practices necessary to ensure that the leather industry is conscious of its responsibility to the environment. 

During Press conference held today, Mr. K. R. Vijayan, Chairman, IFLMEA who welcomed the gathering said,” “The Indian leather industry is environmentally responsible and not as it is, unfortunately, perceived. As part of our effort towards being a conscientious industry, we have invested, and continue to invest, in manufacturing sustainable products, adopting zero liquid discharge processes, treating wastewater, using cleaner and greener technology, creating energy from waste and using solar energy, among others.” 

(L to R) Yavar Dhala, Convenor, Fashion Show ’23; Prasad Uppala, Manager, Asia, JBS; K. R. Vijayan, Chairman, IFLMEA; S.K Sabapathy, Chairman, Saba Group; Tatheer Zaidi, General Manager, Asia,  Solidaridad; Athanki Senthil, Secretary, IFLMEA; Abdul Majid, Marketing Manager, Micropak India

“An event of such magnitude as the IILF can only be successful when we have our fraternity supporting us. We are delighted to have the Saba Group and Solidaridad as our Gold Sponsors and Micropak and JBS as the Silver Sponsors of the event. We laud their partnership with us in the promotion of our industry,” Mr. Vijayan added.

Mr S.K Sabapathy, Chairman, Saba Group, said,” Most of our products are based on Bio polymers and renewable sources of raw materials. We work towards metal free, salt free, chrome free and waterless tanning systems. All our processes are meticulously designed to save water by more than 20 – 25% compared to the conventional systems.  As a group, we aim to have safer operations with safer chemicals, minimize environment impact CO2 reduction, enable circularity in the leather industry and lead through technology.”

“To support the market, Henkel along with Saba Group will establish a state-of-the-art Application Technology Centre for adhesives at Vellore. This Centre will help support and develop the skill set of the work force for the Shoe industry and develop an eco-system to work on emerging developments and market requirements,” Mr. Sabapathy added.

In his address, Mr Tatheer Zaidi, General Manager Solidaridad Asia, said,” Solidaridad works throughout the supply chain of the leather industry to drive sustainable and fair production and consumption practices. We have been at the forefront of innovation in the leather industry, among which is the conversion of leather solid wastes of shavings, buffing dust and trimmings into leather like products.”

“Eco-friendly fashion products like ladies’ handbags, tote bags, laptop bags, duffle bags, clutches, etc. made from waste have high demand in the domestic and international market. This “waste to fashion products” has great potential for sector transition towards sustainability and circularity.  To develop, scale and market products made from leather waste holds huge potential for a world that is leaning towards using environmentally conscious products,” Mr. Zaidi added. 

Mr. Yavar Dhala, Convenor, Fashion Show ’23, in his address, said,” The Leather Fair (IILF) will showcase the entire range of products relating to leather industry from raw materials to finished product. There will be around 450 exhibitors from India and 20 other nations participating in this major event for the industry.

“The Leather Fashion show is a regular feature of the IILF that is held alongside the Fair, will be held on the 1st of February, 2023 at the ITC Grand Chola. It will focus the leather industry’s attention on the latest expressions of styles and designs in the world of leather fashion. For the first time, lifestyle brands like Porsche and BMW will be showcasing their products. One of the highlights is that the entire range for the event will be made from recycled leather. The show, featuring eighty models including various Miss India title holders, will be directed by Bhaskaran Chandra Sekhar and choreographed by Rahul Dev Shetty,” Mr. Dhala added.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Athanki Senthil, Secretary IFLMEA expressed his gratitude to the sponsors of the IILF and the Leather Fashion Show and hoped that the 36th edition of the Fair would be the most successful one to date. 

Tickets for the Fashon Show is available at  at the Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers and Exporters Association Office (es@iflmea.com  and +919176676622)

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