Introduction
In the last fifteen years fashion designing has gained spectacular prominence. Fashion is a term commonly used in relation to clothes, dresses, garments, textiles, etc. Fashion is identified today with status, acceptance and it almost implies social involvement. India enjoys a prominent place in the international market with its rich silks, traditional handloom fabrics, rustic textures and vibrant dyes. The creation of a world market for Indian garments is largely the contribution of Indian fashion designers. The trends of growth are set for upcoming fashion entrepreneurs.
Nature of Work
There are three main areas of fashion design and manufacture. These are designing for mass production (wholesale), for fashion trends and largescale manufacture of designerware. By far the largest area is wholesale manufacture, where firms mass-produce garments following fashion trends set in by fashion forecasters. High fashion designs when simplified and adapted for the common public are suitable for production in large numbers at low cost. Fashion trend setters are celebrated firms and fashion houses which produce exclusively designed garments collections. Fashion shows of 'Haute Couture' collections are held for marketing these designs. Designers, in the wholesale manufacturing sector, generally specialize in producing certain types of clothes in a wide range of styles and fabrics., e.g., jeans, jackets, childrenwear, men's wear, etc. Some designers specialize in leisurewear, women's wear, accessories, shoes, knitwear, sports wear. Some others specialize in designing of costumes for stage artists, TV or film. This work can involve historical research as well as design.
Stages in the designing of a garment
Research - Identifying customers needs, assessing which designs will sell, studying social customs and international fashion trends and knowledge of fabrics available forms the mainframe of the research activity. Wholesale manufacturing requires adaptation of designs for the popular markets. They get ideas, by reviewing periodicals and attending fashion shows, etc. They also take into account competitors' products and sales information.
Designs - Sketches are used to outline basic ideas when fabrics are selected. The appearance, quality and texture of fabrics are taken into account. The designer keeps liason with production staff and the buyer to ensure that mass production is feasible and cost effective.
Patterns - Designers make formal drawings indicating the position of seams, folds, darts, etc.
Samples - Designer garments are made up for a show or private clients. In wholesale manufacture, samples are made before mass production begins.
Presentation - Designers make presentation through fashion shows, bulk selling to individuals or retail buyers. Designers market their work and give advice to clients about adaptations - types of fabric which can be used, different dimensions, production problems etc. This is a major aspect of the work for many designers.
Work Conditions
- Competitive and stressful
- Exciting
- Limelight and glamour
- Considerable time is spent standing, working on large worktables.
- Work involves teamwork
- Fashion shows require perseverance over long periods of time
- Considerable travel is involved during fabric selection, analysing fashion trends, fashion displays
- Hectic work pressure evolves during fashion shows
- Artistic and creative
- Should be able to express their ideas in sketches.
- Ability to combine colours, shades and tones
- Flair for creating with fabric
- Visual imagination ability to think in three-dimensions
- Fashion consciousness and awareness of market requirements
- Understanding of the market and customer lifestyle
- Good communication
- Persuasion
- Business acumen
- Original and inventive
- Observation
- Good memory
- Export houses dealing with garment/textile/handloom exports
- Retail and wholesale garment businesses in men's/women's/children clothing in sportswear/casual wear, etc.
- Haute Courture
- Government/Semi government-handloom/textile manufacturers
- Fashion show organizers/Fashion publishers
- TV/Film fashion programme producers/comperes/costume designers, etc.
Fashion designing courses are generally offered to students after +2. The course imparts training in all the aspects of garment manufacture. However, the quality of training varies from institute to institute. There are very prestigious and competitive courses in fashion technology offered by National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi which has gained tremendous applause for training some very prominent fashion designers. Sophia Polytechnic in Mumbai too is a well known training school. Fashion designers, however, are being trained by some newer institutes also.
Courses/Institutions
Premier institutions
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
A premier institution in the area of fashion.
Address for correspondence
- NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, Near Gulmohar Park, New Delhi 110016
- NIFT, Tata Mills Compound, Dada Saheb Phalke Mg., Dadar (E) Mumbai 400014
- NIFT, Manjusha Bhavan, 181, Sector III, 1B Block, Salt Lake City, Calcutta 700091
- NIFT, Plot E/4, GIDC Electronic Estate, Gandhinagar (Gujarat) 382044
- NIFT, Opp. Hitech City, Madhapur, Jubli Hills, Hyderabad 500134
- NIFT, Cooptex Building, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai 600008
- NIFT, The Karnataka State Co-op Mktg., Federation Building, No. 8 Cunnigham
Road, Bangalore 560052
National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad 380007
The NID conducts an Advanced Entry Professional Education Programme and entry requirements are given below :
Course - Apparel Design. Duration - 3 years, Entry Requirements - Graduates in Fine Arts, Home Science {clothing and Textiles], the Humanities, or diploma holders who have qualified from Polytechnics with related specialisations or candidates with at least 2 years experience in the field 10+2 students with 3 years experience can apply, Advertisement - January. Test - May
- International Institute of Fashion Technology, H-12, South Extention Part-I, New Delhi - 110 049
- Mangalore Institute of Fashion Technology (MIFT) Kulai, Mangalore 574196 (affiliated to Mangalore University).
- Pearl Academy of Fashion C-56/2 Okhla Industrial Area, Ph. II, New Delhi 110 020
- National Institute of Fashion Design, NIFD Campus, 2-B, Jal Bhawan, M. Marg, Sector 27-A, Chandigarh has institutes in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, UP and Haryana (75 centres)
- International Academy of Design, E-291, GK II, New Delhi - Academy of Fashion Studies, 37A Pocket B, Gangotri Enclave, Alaknanda, New Delhi 110019
- J D Institute of Fashion Technology (Affiliated to the International fine arts College, Miami USA), D-147, Savitri Path, Bapu Nagar, Jaipur
- J D Institute of Fashion Technology, Lokayata, Hauzkhas Village, New Delhi.
- South Delhi Polytechnic, N-9, Ring Road, NDSE I, New Delhi 110049
- Apeejay Institute of Design, 54, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, MB Road, New Delhi 100062.
- International Polytechnic, A-3 NDSE I, New Delhi 110049
- Sophia BK Somani Polytechnic, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai 400026
- Apparel & Leather Technics Pvt. Ltd., Kai Kondanahalli, Sarjapur Road, Carmelrani Post, Bangalore 560 035
- CEPZ Institute of Fashion Technology, Clothing Export Processing Zone, Plot No. F 11 & 12, MIDC, Marol Central Road, Andheri, Mumbai 400093
- Premilila Vithaldas Polytechnic, Juhu, Tara Rd, Santa Cruz (W), Mumbai 400049
Note : Polytechnics offer courses in textile designing, fashion designing, garment manufacture etc.
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