Padmashri.A.Sakthivel, as President of Tirupur Exporters' Association, founded the institute in 1997, and christened as ‘NIFT TEA College of Knitwear Fashion'. An illustrious institute, imparting in-depth Garment Technology - proud paradigm, unique of its kind, anywhere in the world, is his brain child. NIFT TEA's course curriculum is designed by a team of eminent knitwear industrialists and expert academicians to teach Fashion Design, Knitting Technology, Processing, Apparel Production, Management and Marketing. An ISO 9001:2000 certified institute which has a nationwide reputation as a Center of Excellence has talented faculty members with industry specific experiences to teach the students; apart from guest lectures and seminars.
NIFT TEA offers, Bachelor and Master Degree Courses in six specializations in addition to Diploma Courses.
Being located strategically as a sandwich between TEKIC (Tirupur Export Knitwear Industrial Complex) and THADCO (Tamilnadu Adidravidar Development Corporation), two huge knitwear industrial complexes housing more than 300 units, students have abundant opportunities to undergo internships, enjoy the fruits of innovative concept Earn While Learn and later find rewarding career options, readily. The wet-processing units operate in the periphery.

Facilities
Equipped with full fledged testing laboratory with modern testing instruments & equipments to meet the international standards.
The Institute has independent laboratory for dyeing and printing textile materials. It is equipped with the latest computerised colour matching system.
Experienced faculty who have extensive knowledge in the practical aspects of merchandising.
Extensive training is offerd to the students in fabric design development and sampling.
Facilities to impart knowledge pertaining to current trends in colour concepts, fabric developments and global style trends.
The NIFT-TEA Lectra Apparel CAD Centre is a mile stone in the annuals of our institute. The dept. has the latest harware and software, to provide practical training for CAD/CAM.
In addition to the speciality books on fashion, a system of book bank is operating in the library to meet the wide demand by the students.
A separate placement cell is functioning in the Institute in an effective manner and every effort is sincerely made for the placement of students through campus interviews.
The Institute offers Various short-term training programmes and courses through its industrial training division (ITD),