On 02nd September 2025, the School of Leather Goods & Accessories Design (LGAD), FDDI Kolkata Campus, organized an insightful webinar on “Vegan Leather & Sustainability”, coordinated by Mr. Anoop Singh Rana, Head of School (LGAD). Faculty and students actively participated, exploring how fashion can embrace innovation while protecting the planet.
The highlight of the session was the inspiring journey of Banofi Leather, a material innovation company transforming banana crop waste into cruelty-free, plant-based leather. Ms. Jinali Mody, Founder of Banofi and a MANAGE-CIA Cohort 8 entrepreneur, shared how her college project grew into a sustainable business with real industry impact.
The session was chaired by Ms. Tanisha Chatterjee, Business Development Associate at Banofi, who explained the chemistry, functionality, and future prospects of vegan leather. She highlighted Banofi’s vision of replacing animal leather with eco-friendly alternatives that reduce toxic waste, carbon emissions, and water usage.
Students and faculty gained valuable insights into market dynamics, innovation potential, and real-world applications of plant-based leathers. The webinar emphasized not only environmental protection but also new income opportunities for farmers—making sustainability a holistic journey.
The event concluded with interactive discussions, leaving participants inspired to reimagine design with responsibility. The story of Banofi Leather reinforced FDDI’s commitment to nurturing designers who move beyond aesthetics towards sustainability, functionality, and social impact.
