EVENT TITLE : Professional Development Program

DATE : 15-09-2025 to 27-09-2025

TIME : 09.00 am onwards
VENUE : Room No 704, PG Dental Block
EVENT CONVENER : Dr. V. Bhanu Rekha
Head of the Department, Fashion Designing
EVENT COORDINATORS : Mr. J. Sathya Narayanan, AP Fashion Designing
NO. OF PARTICIPANTS : 35

RESOURCE PERSON:

Mr. M. Elangovan – Master Trainee, Leather Sector Skill Council, Chennai on topic Leather Product Development.

Mr. A S Lokeshvarar and Mr. M Praveen Kumar, Digital Marketing Tutor, WebDSchool, Chennai.

Ms. Sonia Jha, Founder, interact.ed, Bengaluru.

Mr. Yuvaraj K S, Project Management – Head, YSAP Consultancy, Coimbatore.

 

SUMMARY OF THE EVENT:

Organized a Professional Development Program for students with the aim of bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations. The program featured four distinguished professionals from diverse sectors of the fashion and allied industries, who shared their expertise on leather product development, digital entrepreneurship, digital design tools, and career readiness. This initiative provided students with an invaluable opportunity to gain practical insights, expand their knowledge, and explore emerging career avenues in fashion.

The session commenced with an enlightening talk by Mr. M. Elangovan, Master Trainee, Leather Sector Skill Council, Chennai, who addressed the topic of Leather Product Development. He introduced the students to the basics of leather, its classifications, and its extensive applications in the fashion and accessories industry. The session highlighted the essential tools used in leather crafting and provided a comprehensive overview of leather products ranging from footwear to handbags. Mr. Elangovan also emphasized the scope of careers in the leather sector and encouraged students to explore opportunities within this specialized field, noting the initiatives undertaken by the council to support young learners.

The second session was conducted by Mr. A. S. Lokeshvarar and Mr. M. Praveen Kumar,

Digital Marketing Tutors from WebDSchool, Chennai, on the theme Fashionpreneur Digital Bootcamp. The speakers outlined the growing significance of digital marketing in today’s fashion landscape. They explained how branding, customer engagement, and targeted advertising campaigns can elevate fashion businesses in the competitive marketplace. Demonstrations on advertising content creation and website development for fashion brands gave students a clear understanding of how digital platforms can be leveraged to build and sustain entrepreneurial ventures. Their session was particularly impactful in motivating students to embrace digital strategies to establish themselves as independent fashion entrepreneurs.

Adding a technological perspective to the program, Ms. Sonia Jha, Founder of interact.ed, Bengaluru, delivered a session on CLO3D in the Fashion Industry. She introduced students to the applications of CLO3D, an advanced software widely used in fashion design. The session emphasized how the tool enables virtual prototyping of garments and accessories, thereby reducing production costs and saving time while enhancing design creativity. By demonstrating the use of CLO3D in designing, Ms. Jha highlighted its contribution to sustainable fashion practices and its relevance to modern design education. The presentation inspired students to adopt digital tools to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in their projects.

The final session of the program was led by Mr. Yuvaraj K. S, Project Management Head,

YSAP Consultancy, Coimbatore, who delivered a lecture on Career Readiness in the Fashion Industry. His talk shed light on the diverse career opportunities available within the industry, both in India and abroad. He elaborated on the essential skills required for employability, adaptability to changing industry needs, and the importance of developing a professional outlook. Furthermore, Mr. Yuvaraj guided students on preparing for job interviews, exploring outbound career options, and creating networks that would support their career progression. His insights helped students gain clarity on professional pathways and the future scope of the fashion industry.

The Professional Development Program concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students engaged with the speakers to clarify doubts and discuss ideas. The event proved to be an enriching learning experience that not only broadened the students’ academic perspectives but also prepared them to meet the professional challenges of the industry with confidence. Through the diverse sessions, students gained exposure to industry-relevant skills such as product development, digital marketing, advanced design software, and career planning.

Key Takeaways

  • Overall, the program was highly impactful, bridging the gap between academic learning and realworld applications.
  • The sessions motivated students to harness both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology, while also equipping them with strategies to shape successful careers in fashion.
  • The initiative was well-received by participants, who expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the valuable insights shared by the guest speakers.
  • The event reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering professional growth and ensuring that students are industry-ready.