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Anneasa Manna

Footwear Design and Development Institute

Anneasa Manna is a multidisciplinary product designer from Kolkata, India, whose work is rooted in material honesty, cultural depth, and sustainable innovation. She is the holder of a patent in agri-biotech design, developed during InventX 2025, reflecting her ability to translate complex scientific systems into human-centred design solutions. Anneasa is also a State-Level Gold Medalist at the IndiaSkills Competition, recognized for excellence in industrial and product design. Her design practice extends into sustainability-driven innovation, having been selected as a Semi-Finalist in the Global Sustainability Challenge, where she developed a water-technology-based sustainable product under a program conducted by the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. With a strong foundation in craft, materials, and systems thinking, Anneasa explores leather not as a surface treatment but as a living material that evolves through time and use. Through her footwear brand TVAK, she focuses on longevity, repairability, and quiet luxury—creating designs that value endurance over trends and meaning over excess.

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TVAK

Category: Footwear

Competitions: International

TVAK: One Leather, Five Journeys TVAK, derived from the Sanskrit word त्वक्, meaning skin, hide, or outer layer, is a footwear collection that explores the transformative potential of a single embossed leather surface. The collection demonstrates how one material can evolve into multiple identities while retaining a common heritage. Inspired by the idea that skin records experiences, adapts to environments, and carries stories over time, each footwear design represents a distinct chapter of human expression. The collection consists of five handcrafted footwear styles: a woven sneaker, an open boot, a pump shoe, a loafer court shoe, and a floral sandal. Though diverse in silhouette, function, and audience, all designs originate from the same embossed leather panel, celebrating versatility, craftsmanship, and material storytelling. Traditional techniques such as leather weaving, embossing, hand assembly, and handcrafted embellishment are combined with contemporary footwear construction to create products that bridge heritage and modern lifestyles. The woven sneaker symbolizes movement and adaptability, the open boot represents individuality and confidence, the pump shoe embodies timeless elegance, the loafer court shoe reflects refined professionalism, and the floral sandal celebrates freedom, joy, and connection to nature. Together, they form a unified narrative of transformation, demonstrating how a single material language can create multiple experiences. TVAK is a celebration of sustainable design thinking, material efficiency, and artisanal craftsmanship. By maximizing the creative potential of one embossed leather source, the collection highlights the beauty of responsible design while preserving traditional leatherworking techniques for contemporary users. It showcases how heritage craftsmanship can be reinterpreted into modern footwear that is functional, expressive, and emotionally meaningful. Designer: Anneasa Manna Institution: Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), India

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.