The FSAD trip to India is part of the class, FSAD 4021/6021: Textile and Apparel Production in India, which is taught every other fall semester.  The pre-departure course introduces students to the history of fiber, textile, and apparel production in India, while highlighting contemporary issues within the industry and supply chain.  Special attention is given to ethical aspects of the industry, focusing on labor, environmental, social, political and economic issues and to the impact of current political, economic, environmental, and social events. Students gain understanding of manufacturing processes, from fiber spinning to textile production, printing and dyeing, garment cut and sew, and various embellishment and post-production (e.g., wet processing) techniques. The course culminates with a trip to India during winter break and a follow-up course in spring (FSAD 6021).  

Since 2011, Ajit Khaitani and his children, Kunal Khaitani and Karishma Khaitani FSAD ‘10 have sponsored the two-week tour of the Indian textile and apparel industry.  The Khaitani’s own Asprey USA (USA) and United Dry Goods (Bengaluru), an apparel manufacturer and exporter in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India which manufactures for Ascena Retail Group, including the brands Ann Taylor, LOFT, Justice, Lou & Grey, and Lane Bryant. In 2019, Mariam Omar, FSAD ’17 and Brandix India Apparel City in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, joined as a second sponsor. The Brandix facility is vertically integrated and specializes in the production of underwear, loungewear, and sportswear.