Jail inmates stitch leather products for fashion show

Leather bags and accessories showcased at ILPA Fashion Show, 2017, the destiantion show of the apex leather body, have been stitched by 40 inmates of a correctional home.

"The inmates of Presidency correctional homes, chosen by a Footwear Design Development Institute (FDDI) team based on their skills were trained how to stitch high quality leather hand bags and belts in sync with modern global fashion trends. The bags and leather accessories will now be sold for a premium at select outlet and proceeds towards the expense helped in welfare of the inmates," ILPA President Alok Prakash told PTI.

While top city models walked on the ramp flaunting the products at FDDI Assist segment, which was a part of the show on Sunday night, the trainers and designers of FDDI were the show-stoppers.
 

"If we involve the correctional home inmates, who have the potential to adapt themselves to changing global needs, we can make them stakeholders in the export of high-quality leather products and as part of the 3.09 billion people involved in the trade," Prakash said.

The products will also be put on display at the Leather Fair on March 26 to be participated by Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Poland and Spain.

"It is a laudable step. This will tap the latent skill of the prisoners and help them rehabilitate," designer Abhisek Dutta said.

Besides the work of correctional home inmates in one segment of the show, the evening showcased some of the best products from top brands.

Sourav Kothari, National and Asian Billiard Champion walked for premier leather brand Rajda in one segment.

The ILPA (Indian Leather Products Association), established in 1987, is a premier representative body of manufacturers and exporters of leather and leather products across the country with head office in Kolkata and regional office in Chennai.

ILPA works to bring together manufacturer-exporters and merchant-exporters of leather products of India on a common platform.