The clothing industry holds a significant position in a country’s economy. The evolving fashion trends have boosted the Indian textile and fashion sectors. Although the fashion industry is a relatively new high-growth sector in India, its multimillion-dollar annual turnover offers numerous employment opportunities.
Role of Fashion Designers
Fashion designers create designs for a wide range of garments for men, women, and children. They aim to make clothes and accessories that are both functional and visually appealing, considering the clients’ needs, which are influenced by trends, market forecasts, and climate. Designers pay attention to size, fit, style, color, texture, and material while designing both outer and inner garments and accessories. The process starts with sketching the original idea on paper, which then evolves into the final product.
A significant portion of a designer’s time is spent on exploration and research. They need to have knowledge of fabrics, weaves, draping qualities, materials, colors, designs, and changing trends.
Personal Attributes
A fashion designer should possess self-confidence, ambition, attention to detail, the ability to anticipate new trends, visual imagination, a good sense of color, a photographic memory, and the ability to work well in groups.
Preparing to Become a Fashion Designer
Start drawing and sketching early, even while in school. Sketch people around you, focusing on different clothing types and colors. Draw fashionable figures and develop your instinct for translating ideas onto paper. Since fashion is trend-related, use your imagination to learn about it. Read extensively about the history and evolution of fashion, study the work of famous designers and their unique styles, and read fashion magazines like Gladrags, Femina, Society, and Elle to stay updated on current design trends.
Here are some top fashion design institutes in India along with their addresses:
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Campuses: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Gandhinagar, and other cities.
Address (Delhi Campus): NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, Near Gulmohar Park, New Delhi – 110016
Website: NIFT
- National Institute of Design (NID)
Campuses: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
Address (Ahmedabad Campus): Paldi, Ahmedabad – 380007, Gujarat, India
Website: NID
- Pearl Academy
Campuses: Delhi NCR (West), Delhi NCR (East), Mumbai, Jaipur, Bengaluru
Address (Mumbai Campus): Times of India Building, Dr. D.N. Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001
Website: Pearl Academy
- Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Address: 19th Main Road, 5th Block, CA Site, KHB Colony, Koramangala, Bengaluru – 560095
Website: Srishti Manipal
- MIT Institute of Design
Address: Rajbaug, Loni Kalbhor, Pune – 412201, Maharashtra
Website: MIT Institute of Design
- Istituto Marangoni Mumbai
Address: Ceejay House, Level 4, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai – 400018
Website: Istituto Marangoni
- Indian Institute of Art and Design (IIAD)
Address: B-26, Okhla Phase 1, New Delhi – 110020
Website: IIAD
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
Address: Jalandhar – Delhi G.T. Road, Phagwara, Punjab – 144411
Website: LPU