Jail inmates stitch leather products for fashion show

Forty inmates of a state-run Correctional Home here have stitched bags and leather accessories for showcasing in ILPA FASHION SHOW 2017, the destination show of apex leather body.

The inmates were imparted training at a workshop in the correctional home by faculty and students of state-run Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI). "The inmates of Presidency Correctional Homes, chosen by the FDDI team based on their skills, were trained how to stitch high-quality leather handbags 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 the welfare of the inmates," ILPA President Alok Prakash told PTI.

While top city models walked the ramp flaunting the products at FDDI Assist segment, which was one part of the show, on Sunday night, the trainers and designers of FDDI were the showstoppers. "If we involve the correctional home inmates, who have the potential to adapt themselves to changing global needs, we can make them the stakeholders in the export of high-quality leather products 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 in which countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Poland and Spain will participate.

"It is a laudable step. This will tap the latent skill of the prisoners and help them rehabilitate," designer Abhishek 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 the premier leather brand 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 the regional office in Chennai. ILPA works actively worked to bring together manufacturer–exporters, and merchant-exporters of leather products of India on a common platform.