On 03rd September 2025, a group of 35 students from the B.Des- Footwear Design & Production (FDP), (7th & 5th Semester) and M.Des - FDP (3rd Semester) programs at FDDI, Chennai visited Ayyappa Enterprises, located at Nelson Manickam Road, Chennai.
Ayyappa Enterprises is a renowned manufacturer of leather products under the brand name Calonge, an exclusive Spanish label of hand-woven leather accessories. Calonge is celebrated for its unique blend of Spanish design creativity and Indian craftsmanship, creating a premium niche in the luxury leather segment and earning admiration from fashion-conscious women worldwide.
During the visit, students observed the woven shoe-making process step by step and received detailed briefings on weaving techniques from the company’s technical experts. Mr. Pandi and Mr. Karthik, specialists from Ayyappa Enterprises, explained the various stages of woven shoe and leather goods manufacturing, including the use of automated machinery, tools, and equipment. The students also gained exposure to the wide variety of materials used in woven footwear and accessories production.
Accompanied by their faculty, they were given an in-depth understanding of leather weaving techniques—both machine-made and handwoven—covering braided and interlaced models of shoes and leather goods. They also explored the entire woven leather process, from raw material selection to cutting, skiving, strip preparation, colouring, and diverse weaving methods.
The industry visit provided students with practical knowledge and real-time industrial exposure, strengthening their understanding of woven leather footwear and accessories production—an invaluable addition to their design and production learning journey.
