The faculties of Fashion Design Department along with the PG (M.A. Fashion Design) and UG (B.A. (Hons) Fashion Design) Degree students, went on a week-long Industrial Visit.
Our first visit was to Times Dyeing Unit, Veerapandi, Tiruppur. They are a top player in the category of Dyeing Services and take orders from various Export Industries across Tiruppur and a few from other states. The following day, there was a factory visit to Kinsey Knitts Screen Printing Unit. The next visit was to Kinsey Knitt International’s Digital Printing Unit, Angeripalayam Road, Tiruppur. We also saw a small production unit that exports T Shirts to Europe.
Next in Bureau Veritas Lab, Tiruppur, we were briefed on Testing Protocols carried out by their 5 sub labs: Physical Appearance Test (Fibre), Flammability, Colour Fastness, Washability and Data Sheet Collection or Report Preparation.Then at Warsaw International, Sheriff Colony, Tiruppur, we were briefed on the entire working of the industry as how merchandising is the focal point connecting the company and the buyer. We also visited Guru Karuna Textile Mill- Auto Loom & Power loom weaving units at Erode. The units are weaver’s home itself. Sampling pieces are worked are sent for approval to International Buyers like Zara and Mango.
In Kanchipuram next, we visited the silk saree weaving unit of Sri Balaji Silks near Varadharaja Perumal Kovil. We saw yarn getting spun into the shuttle and the silk yarns getting dyed.
The next stop was at Dakshina Chitra Heritage Museum, Muttukaadu, Chennai. One could see various crafts and textiles, pottery, glass blowing, exhibitions etc. The evening was well spent at Sundari Silks, a hub for ethnic and exclusive pieces of jewellery, sarees or crafts.
On the final day of the trip, we visited Ambattur Fashion India Private Limited. They are mass manufacturers of woven garments. Their clients include Banana Republic, Levis, Mango etc. to name a few. Most of their operations are automated and 90% of the staff are women here.
We returned with lots of knowledge and experiences of a lifetime.
Hima Subramanian
Faculty, Fashion Design
