F A S H I O N D E S I G N

The clothing industry occupies an important place in a country’s economy. The changing styles of clothes has given impetus and upsurge to the Indian textile and fashion industry. The fashion industry though only recently established as a high growth sector in India, its multicrore annual turnover promises many employment openings.
WORKS OF A FASHION DESIGNERS :
Fashion designers create designs for almost anything which is a part of the garment for men, women and children. Designers create garments and accessories so as to make them functional as well as attractive. The main considerations being the needs of the clients, which obviously are influenced by trends, market-predictions and the climate. The designer needs to keep a close watch on size, fitting, style, colour, texture and material as well as designs outer and inner garments and accessories to go with it. The process begins with sketching the original idea on paper and thus giving it the final shape.
Much time of the designer is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, weave, draping qualities, material colour and design and the changing trends are also important.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES :
Self confidence, ambition, an eye for detail flair for anticipating new trends, visual imagination, colour sense, a photographic memory, ability for working in groups, are the qualities required of a fashion designer.
FASHION DESIGNER PREPARING:
Begin with drawing and sketching even early at school. Sketch people around you, people with different types and colours of clothing. Draw fashionable looking figures and learn to develop your instinct for putting your ideas down on paper.
Fashion relates to trends, use your imagination to learn about fashion, read all you can get on it – the history and the story of its evolution, the work of famous designers and their distinctive styles. Read fashion magazines such as Gladrags, Femina, Society, Elle etc. you can lay your hands on and study the prevalent trends in design.
TRAINING/COURSES/ELIGIBILITY/INSTITUTES :
Training in various aspects of the fashion industry is imparted at institutions around the country. Eligibility for admission and course work varies with the institution and areas of specialisation. Some of them are :
FASHION DESIGN COURSES
INSTITUTIONS
COURSE
ELIGIBILITY
DURATION
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Haus Khas, New Delhi (N.I.F.T)
Diploma - Fashion Design.
10+2 with 50% 10+2+3 with 50% Highly selective entrance test held in Jan/Feb for which application forms are available in November. Admission test(C.E.T) held at Bombay,Madras & Calcutta.
3 years.
-do-
Diploma-Post-Graduate-Garment Manufacturing Technology (GMT)
B.E.(Mech./Textiles)or B.Sc. with Maths or B.Sc.(Maths) with 50% aggregate. Highly selective entrance test held in Jan/Feb for which application forms are available in November. Admission Test(C.E.T) held at Bombay, Madras & Calcutta.
2 years.
National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Diploma Course in Apparel.
10+2 ; Entrance Test
4 years.
Sophia Polytechnic, Breach Candy, Bombay.
Diploma in Fashion & Dress Designing.
S.S.C. or equivalent
2 years
South Delhi Polytechnic, South Extn. Part-1,
New Delhi.
Diploma in Fashion Designing.
10+2
2 years.
Pearl Fashion Academy Okhla, Delhi
Diploma/Certificate in Fashion Designing.
Graduation
1 year.
International Polytechnic, N.D.S.E. Part-1,
New Delhi.
-do-
10+2
2 years.
Women’s Polytechnic, Maharani Bagh,
New Delhi
-do-
10+2
2 years.
International Institute of Fashion Technology,
N-14, South Extn.-1,
New Delhi.
Diploma in
a) Garments Production Technology
b) Fashion Designing
c) Apparel Merchandising
10+2/Graduation
1 year.
Lady Irwin College, Sikander Road, New Delhi
Professional Diploma Course in Textile & Fashion Designing.
Work Experience or Diploma Holder.
1 year.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES :
Fashion designers find employment with textile manufactures, garment export houses, garment manufacturers and fashion show organizers and Trade fair authorities. Jobs in the fashion industry are usually extremely well paid. Salaries varies between Rs.5000 to Rs.20,000 per month and could be even more depending upon the size of the organisation.