Italian Design, Indian Soul: The KICL x IUAD Collaboration

Kothari Industrial Corporation (KICL) has announced a strategic collaboration with Italy’s leading fashion and design institution, Accademia IUAD, to strengthen India’s design and creative talent ecosystem.

The partnership proposes the establishment of a University for Design in India, with Tamil Nadu planned as the principal campus and potential expansion to other regions, including the Northeast, subject to regulatory approvals. The university will offer programmes in footwear design, fashion management, leather goods and accessories, interior and furniture design, and other allied disciplines, aligned with global industry standards.

Under the collaboration, Accademia IUAD will contribute academic frameworks, contemporary curricula, and international best practices rooted in its practice-led design education model. KICL will leverage its industrial infrastructure and execution capabilities to bridge academic learning with real-world industry exposure.

The initiative will feature co-designed curricula, hands-on industry projects, masterclasses, mentorship from international faculty, and structured pathways for global placements and professional mobility. The project aims to generate high-value employment opportunities while enhancing India’s design capabilities and export competitiveness.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.