Fashion design is the applied art devoted to the designing of clothing and lifestyle accessories. This art is influenced by cultural and social attitudes and has evolved over time and place. Fashion designing has come a long way from the designer clothes worn by the royalty of the ancient world to the haute couture products of the present.
Fashion designing is one of the most lucrative, appealing, glamorous and exciting career options in today's world. If you have a penchant for creativity, style and originality, a career in fashion designing is the one tailor made for you. On one hand, the fashion industry satisfies both the creative fancies and the materialistic needs of the people. On the other hand, it promises glamour, fame, success and a high pay package to the talented people.
However, it is also a demanding career, as fashion designers need to combine their creativity with managerial skills to sustain in this industry. Thus, if you can create magic with colours, shapes and designs, then just obtain a professional course to begin a successful career in the alluring world of fashion designing.
Career Prospectus
Indian fashion is gaining a lot of popularity abroad because of cheap labour and excellent craftsmanship. Many top Indian designers are now catering to this growing international demand for quality fashion products and accessories. In addition, for the demand for Indian garments, designer saris and textiles are also of great demand. Many individuals choose careers in fashion designing today as there are many areas of work and countless opportunities within this field.
Better prospectus both in terms of salary and growth of fashion design jobs is enormous and extends beyond India’s markets to international markets too. Indian fashion designers are doing very well in almost all countries and hence the scope has broadened for students of fashion designing.
Is it the right career for me?
A career in fashion designing is right for you if you are talented and exude style in everything you do. You must also possess the ability be original and creative and love to make people look good. Further, you must be creative enough to combine colours, shades and textures and express your ideas through sketches. You must also visualise new design, patters, garments and accessories and enjoy working with fabrics and accessories.
Courses and Eligibility
- Diploma in Fashion Design: 10+2 (Arts, Commerce, Science) /P.U.C./Polytechnic/equivalent with 45% marks in aggregate (40% is sufficient for SC/ST candidates).
- Reputed institutes like NIFT/ NID select candidates on the basis of admission test.
- Four-year graduate programme in apparel design/equivalent course: 10+2, Entrance test Apeejay institute of design.
- B.Sc in apparel/fashion design/equivalent course: 10+2, Entrance test, Mangalore Institute of Fashion Technology (MIFT) Kulai, Mangalore
- Postgraduate programme in apparel design from NID
Course Fee: Government institutes charge around Rs 50,000 as tuition fee. For private institutions the fee is higher.
Funding/Scholarship
Some fashion academies extend merit based scholarships. These scholarships usually waive off payment of tuition fee only. These waivers continue in the subsequent years on the condition that the awardees academic performance meets the prescribed standards of achievement.
The criterion of the scholarship programme is based on the annual income of the eligible student’s parental annual income. There are a few scholarships sponsored by reputed companies for meritorious and financially deserving students. Scholarship awardees also get educational loan facility to cover other payable fee and expenses.
Famous Personalities
Fashion designers such as Ritu Beri, Ritu Kumar, Rohit Bal, Satya Paul and Tarun Tahiliani are known worldwide. Many Institutions provide training to potential fashion designers to expand their talent and become entrepreneurs in the fashion world. The India Fashion Week has become an international fashion event, with buyers from international stores making an appearance to transact business.
Job of a Fashion Designer
Fashion designing is essentially about designing garments. Fashion designers use their creative abilities and sense of style to use various fabrics and techniques to create work of art. A designer can also work as a designated costume designer, fashion consultant, personal stylist, technical designer, graphic designer, production pattern maker or a fashion coordinator. Other roles include-apparel production manager, fabric buyer, fabric quality control manager, show room sales representative, illustrator, cutting assistant and outside sales representative. Those interested in a career in fashion designing can also become entrepreneurs and form their own companies.
Remuneration
The Starting monthly package can be around Rs.10, 000 to Rs.15, 000. With experience, you will acquire maturity in designing skills and a few years down the line your salary would be in the range of Rs.30, 000 to Rs.40, 000 per month.