Fashion

Fashion

Nature of Work

The fashion industry has several inter-related fields. While fashion designing is the most popular field, other equally lucrative fields are jewellery designing, accessory designing, modelling, etc.

Fashion designing involves the designing, fabrication, and marketing of clothing that is appealing and in touch with the times. The greater part of the industry concentrates on high volume production of affordable garments to suit the taste of a large number of people. However, in the exclusive realm of haute couture, fashion is a business rather an art form.

The fashion industry appears to be very glamorous from the outside, but any one who is serious about a career in fashion should be prepared for long gruelling hours and lots of sweat and hard work.

Where to Study

Institute

Eligibility

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) – (Mumbai, Kolkata,Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore)
2 undergraduate programs:

4 yr programme in Design

4 yr programme in Fashion Technology

10+2

National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad

Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (4 years) Textile and Apparel Design

10+2

Pearl Academy of Fashion, Okhla Industrial Area,
Ph II Offers 2 yr programmes in Fashion Design, Merchandising;
2 yr postgraduate Integrated Fashion Technology Programme

10+2

(Part time courses)

J D Institute of Fashion Technology,
Fashion Business Management(2 years)
Fashion Designing(1 year)
Fashion Marketing Management(1year)
Fashion merchandising(6 months)
Fashion Photography(3 months)
Fashion Illustration(3 months)
(Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Agra, Ludhiana, Mohali, Indore, Raipur, Bangalore, Seconderabad, Vishakhapatnam, and Bhubaneshwar)

10+2

International Institute of Fashion Technology, South Ext-I, New Delhi

3 yr Diplomas in Textile Management and Commercial Art
2 yr Diplomas in Garment Merchandising and Production,
1 yr Diplomas

10+2

Prospects

The garment business is growing in India and there is a great scope for designers. Do not, however, expect to become a celebrity overnight. Nor should you get carried away by the glamour. Much of the fashion is hard work, especially if one wants to create a place for oneself by doing original work. The market would be tremendous for an original thinker.
The first option for a trained designer is to work in a manufacturing company or an export house. Salaries begin at Rs 5,000 per month but go up very fast. Good designers earn very good salaries, once their work is recognized. Export houses pay very well too. Many people gain experience and then start out on their own. One can also act as an agent for foreign buying houses, which is very lucrative indeed. Or, one can think of starting one's own boutique. It all depends on what you want to do.

Study Route

There are three routes for entering the fashion industry.

     i.  U.G. Programme in Fashion Designing = 10 + 2 + Entrance test + G.D./P.I.
     ii.  Diploma in Fashion Designing = 10 + 2 or S.S.C.
     iii.  P.G. Programme in Fashion Management = Graduation + Entrance test + G.D./P.I.

While many institutes admit students only on the basis of an interview, you have to prepare for a written test to get into NIFT, which is one of the premier fashion training institutes in the country.

NIFT offers 2 undergraduate programs:
     i.  4 yr Undergraduate Program in Design. It offers the following specializations after the 1st yr with         30 seats in each course:
                         a.   Fashion and Apparel
                         b.   Fashion and Textiles
                         c.   Fashion and Lifestyle Accessory
                         d.   Fashion Communication

     ii.  4 yr Undergraduate Program in Fashion Technology (specialization in Apparel Manufacturing
         and Information Technology) 30 seats