FREYA –A Unit of
ILPA Infrastructure Development Foundation
ILPA Leather Goods Park, Calcutta Leather Complex,
24 Parganas (S), West Bengal. [email protected]
FREYA –A Unit of ILPA Infrastructure Development Foundation
Set up at the initiative of the National Leather Development Programme (a
UNDP-assisted unit of the Government of India) in 1997, Freya is the first of
its kind Leather Goods Design Studio in Asia.
Today Freya is a not for profit centre operating without Government funding.
It provides a broad spectrum of services to micro, small and medium scale
leather goods manufacturers. It is a full-fledged design shop that caters to the
demands of the domestic and international market.
Freya has many objectives.
It is more than a facility:
It plays a pro-active role in the strategy
to Mesh Markets with entrepreneurs.
Upgrades skills of crafts-persons.
Helps catalyse the technological
transformation of the sub-sector.
It provides design (including CAD) services,
pattern-making and prototype production
facilities.
Imparts training in design and
pattern-making.
Serves as a resource center for the latest
information on fashion/market trends,
colours and designs.
It promotes marketing/export linkages,
facilitates buyer-seller meets.
It runs a state of the art common facility
centre.
At the strategic level, Freya has positioned
Itself as a platform for policy-based
discussion on the development of the
leather goods sector.
In its operational mode
Combines traditional skills with the latest
In designs, and new technologies with
age-old craft.
Sets benchmarks for quality and
standardisation.
links artisan groups and micro-entrepreneurs with global markets.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the studio is to be a powerful
force for sustainable human resource development.
Target Segments
Artisans
Micro Enterprises
Small Scale Entrepreneurs
Exporters
Outputs:
Provide Design Support.
Technical assistance and advancement.
Conducts Short Term Courses in Design,
Pattern-making & Production
Methodology.
Conducts Short Term Courses in CAD.
Imparts Training to upgrade skills
Provides opportunities for
Employment and business.
Dovetails contemporary designs
with artisans' skills.
Business Incubation.
Freya offers a complete design
package that includes:
Drawings
Precise patterns
Prototype development
Specification sheets
Costing Sheet
Comprehensive information
about material sourcing.
Technical assistance is
provided through:
Demonstration and usage
of machines.
Training personnel in the
use of machines.
Improved production technology.
Assistance in setting up
of units.
Recommending machines and
equipment.
Recommending layout of
Workstations and installation
of equipment.
Human Resource Development
is high on its agenda.
Besides regular courses in Design, Pattern-making,
Production Methodology and CAD it trains.
Floor level workers thereby providing a skilled
workforce to the industry
It also designs customized on-site training programmes
for specific requirements put forward by the industry.
Other outputs:
Providing support to nascent
enterprises through capacity
building, appropriate equipping
and exposure to new technologies.
Facilitating market linkages by
helping Artisan groups develop
and create markets for their
products, either directly or indirectly.
Providing a platform for better
Interaction between exporters,
material suppliers and
Fabricators of leather goods.
Maintaining a resource center and
data bank to enhance knowledge
about domestic and international
market requirements.
Designing catalogues and brochures.
Providing factory layouts and recommending
machines and equipment.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT
The main activity of the studio is to provide original
designs based on specific fashion forecasts, season-wise.
Many exporters, some well established, utilize this facility.
Products designed by Freya have been
displayed at Mipel Fair, Milan,
Asia Pacific Leather Fair, Hong Kong
& Offenbach Fair, Germany and also
at the Buyer-Seller Meets organized
by the Council for Leather Exports.
Freya has collaborated with various institutes such as
Footwear Design Development
Institue
Central Leather Research Institute
National Institute of Fashion
Technology
National Institute of Design
Entrepreneur Development
Institute of India
Intracen Geneva
Lineapelle Italy
Assomac Italy
United Nations Industrial
Development Organization
I L & FS
National Centre for Jute
Diversification
Micro Small & Medium
Enterprises
Freya has published technical handouts detailing
production procedures - from pattern making to
assembling and construction.
It has also prepared an Audio Visual training module
for basic machines used in leather goods production.
Freya offers a complete package - from concept to reality .
It has a wide , varied and regular client base. It helps the
industry and the leather goods manufacturers to achieve
targets. It is committed to a process of improving its own
efficiency and effectiveness in becoming a stronger force
for the benefit of the leather goods industry.