Most people conceive of a career in fashion designing as merely drinking cocktails, dressing celebrities up and attending chi-chi affairs. But fashion designing is more than that. Fashion is not just about clothes design either; designers pursue other interests like shoes, accessories, or bag designs. Of course, nothing gives a designer glory than a famous celebrity wearing and acknowledging her creations. Excited about pursuing a fashion designing career? Don't grab your pencil and paper yet, there is more to designing than just drawing.
In general terms FASHION DESIGNERS design clothing and accessory by creating original designs or by adapting fashions to suit local conditions, trends and buyers. They may plan the production and marketing of their creations. Designers specialize in one type of garment or accessory such as men's or women's wear, children's garments, swimwear, lingerie, handbags, or shoes. Some high-fashion Designers are self-employed and design for individual clients. They design original garments as well as follow the established fashion trends. They are like a mentor to their or her clients and are expected to figure out the customers’ taste, comfort level and preferences. An eye for detail, knowledge of fabrics etc. are also a big plus for those serious about a career as a fashion designer.
Once you chose this career, you open new doors of opportunities for you, because this vibrant career has varies job prospects in many field. You can find employment with professional designers as apprentices, with manufacturing units, export houses, boutiques, media as costume designers, freelancing for fashion houses and boutiques and at the same time it is a rewarding possibility for self employment by opening your own boutique. Some of the most demanding and booming careers in the fashion industry are:
Fashion coordinators arrange and supervise the marketing of fashion clothing for manufacturing houses, textile firms and retail stores. It is a highly competitive job involving a variety of functions. Coordinates may be required to travel widely to get an idea of the fashion trends.
Fashion Stylist has to coordinate the entire wardrobe for a fashion show or program to promote the sales of the products. It involves coordinating the dress, accessories; make up, hairstyle, even the colour of the nail polish of the model according to the theme and the overall look of the show. He/ she has to be well versed in the trends and happenings in the industry and also have a keen sense of current fashion trends.
Fashion Consultant must be aware of the trends and transitions in the fashion market along with knowledge about fashion designing. They are expected to offer ideas regularly on how to further develop a product to be readily absorbed in a market. He/she should be a sharp observer sensitive to changing trends.
Fashion Journalist is an overall in-charge of a fashion magazine. It is through them that the general public gets to know the latest fashion trends. He/she should have excellent taste for fashion and keep themselves abreast with latest fashion news, consumer reaction to new collections, fashion shows, current and future trends in colour, design and fabric. Today fashion journalist has a bright scope for employment as there is a need for exclusive articles and programs with the development of fashion industry.
Fashion Photography is an extremely creative and well paid profession. Fashion photographer needs to have a keen eye for aesthetic detail, a thorough knowledge of cameras and the technicalities involved in taking pictures, of light, distance and perspective to be successful. He/she should be inventive and able to visualize and communicate his ideas, at the same time must be sensitive to the moods of the models and interact freely with them. Fashion photography is one of the choices that photographers can diversify into. They can do freelancing and find employment with fashion houses, designers, fashion journals and news papers.
Remuneration mainly depends on the personal Ability and Skills of the Individual. Generally a fresh graduate can look for a monthly pay packet of Rs.10, 000 to Rs.15, 000. For those who are extremely talented, this can touch Rs.15, 000 to 20,000 and even more. Those people with higher experience can command a far greater salary. Even the increase in the annual salary is high for each level. With the increase in demand for the professionals in fabric designing the salaries are likely to increase.
Eligibility & Course Areas
Minimum eligibility for the Undergraduate course in this field is 10+2 with 50% marks and for Post Graduate courses graduation. In the prominent institutes, admission is strictly on merit- through written test, situation test, group discussion and interview. These courses are aimed at understanding concepts related to costume, jewellery, leather goods and many other similar products where fashion matters. The courses include Graduate, Post graduate, Certificate and Diploma in the following areas:
- Fashion designing and Accessory designing.
- Apparel marketing and Merchandising.
- Garment Manufacturing Technology.
- Leather and Garment Design and Technology.
- Knitwear Design and Technology.
- Textile Design and Development.
- Fashion Journalism and Presentation
While 10+2 is sufficient for Accessory designing and Fashion Designing, Graduates are preferred for other courses.
The training also includes internship in an organization which gives the students industry functions. Training is usually imparted keeping in mind the demands of the international market. Most training institutes have the latest technologies including laboratories, workshops, design and research centers, libraries, computers and information about the latest development in the industry.
In India the prominent institutes in Fashion Technology are National institute of Fashion technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID), International Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi (IIFT); IEC School of Art and Fashion, New Delhi; Indian Institute of Art and Fashion Technology (IIAFT), Mumbai; Pearl Academy of fashion, New Delhi; J.D Institute of fashion Technology, New Delhi.Here is a list of some of the high-flying institutes of Fashion designing of Hyderabad.
- National Institute Of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, (Andhra Pradesh) NIFT Campus,Opp. Hi – tech City, Madhapur, Hyderabad.
- Academy of Design And Architecture1st Floor, Near Satya Apartments, Masab Tank, Hyderabad.
- IITC Bombay5-9-41/1/6, Opp.: Gandhi Medical College, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad
Exterior - InteriorsUnit 13, 4th Floor, Linga Purtha, Builds Complex, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad. - Begum Babukhan Craft CentreBabhukhan Estates, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad.
A.J. Institute of Fashion DesigningNappini Jr. College Lane, Hyderguda, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad. - Shaloom Institute of Fashion Designing & TailoringSt. Pius Church Premises, Ramnagar, Hyderabad.
- Apparel Training & Design CentreHill Fort Road, Skill Avenue, Second Floor, Behind Police Control Room,Kalanjali Show Room, Saifabad, Hyderabad.
- Govt. Institute Of Textile Technology, Guntur, (Andhra Pradesh)Nallapadu Guntur 522005.
- Govt. Polytechnic For Women, Choudarypet, Guntur, (Andhra Pradesh)Choudarypet, Guntur 522006.
There are several short-term certificate courses as well offered by the same Institutes for super specialization, on part-time basis. To be a full pledged professional designer you have to knock the door of some of the Fashion Design Institutes of the country. A good institute will ensure that along with the requisite theoretical inputs, you also get adequate practical exposure to the entire gamut of processes right from formation of textiles and fabric to the most elaborate design elements.
“So if you have, Designing art, Creative Ideas, Active Learning power, Originality in your plans, Visioning power, dedication and coordination, I must not leave an opportunity to invite you to fly in the sky of fashion industry……..Come and reveal another YOU!!!”
-Written by Sadiya Naseem
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