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Careers in creative fields and arts are gaining prevalence these days, fashion design being the most popular of them. We all know three basic human needs: Food, Clothing, and Shelter. Since fashion is one of them, we already know the importance of fashion design, be it in India or abroad. With so many opportunities lying ahead of students and professionals, this field offers a lot to explore, research, study, and flaunt! Be it entering the fashion industry or creating your own fashion house, be it being part of a big manufacturing unit or being creative director at Vogue, fashion courses offer an array of opportunities to dive in. Now, it may all sound very dreamy, but to achieve that zenith, there is some information about the fashion designing course that needs to be acknowledged.

What is a fashion designing course? 

First things first, let us know what fashion design and technology is. Fashion design is an art of applying your imagination to costumes and accessories. It may look and sound easy at first, but to give you an honest reality check, it is not as simple. It has to be a perfect balance between social and cultural attributes, varying from place to place. As per the preconceived notion, fashion design is not just glamour. One has to reinvent themselves, observe and absorb everything around them, and take inspiration. One has to be ready to explore possibilities and carve their niche and identity. 

Now that we are aware of the inner challenges and changes, let us know what the outside world will throw at you. 

Eligibility

If you know how to amalgamate intelligence and creativity, you are already there. Although to earn a bachelor’s degree, one must have passed senior secondary school from a recognized board. Percentage and subject criteria could vary from courses to college. For example, for B.Des, you could have any subjects in your senior secondary school, but to pursue B.Sc Textile Science or B.Tech Fashion Technology, one must have a science background.

What would the fashion designing course and curriculum look like?

A fashion design course trains young individuals to open all the windows of brains and evolve according to market and client needs. It also encourages them to adapt artistic skills and innovative thinking to understand the fashion biosphere. 

Core study areas could include subjects and term papers like – Fashion illustration and design, Draping and pattern making, Apparel design and construction, Garment construction, Visual Merchandising, Manufacturing process, Fashion Forecasting, Photography, Digital Illustration, and Portfolio making.

Whereas elective or optional areas could include subjects and term papers like – Entrepreneurship, Any foreign language, Environmental studies, Sustainability, Professional practices, and IPR.

The subjects can be changed or altered according to the course and college chosen. 

What skills are required for expert fashion design?

To establish a prospect in the field of fashion design, meeting eligibility criteria is not enough. One has to obtain a certain set of skills that may set them apart from the rest. The skillset includes- Creativity and Artistic Taste, Eye for Detail, Color Sensitivity, Experimental, Well versed in grading and coloring, Good understanding of market and customer, Technical skill set such as sewing and stitching. 

What are the various job profiles fashion designers could go for?

As also discussed before, fashion design offers a sea of opportunities. The fashion industry is both wide and deep, more than the course, it depends upon the student what skill sets they gain and how they market themselves. After farming, fashion is the second most employment generating industry in India. Hence, there is something for everyone. Keeping all of this aside, here are a few of the most popular job roles a fashion designing student could go for. 

• Fashion Designer

If you love to create innovative designs and forecast the emerging market. If you have gained proficiency in designing and illustrating, you can choose this as your preferred career option. Fashion designers are influential professionals in the fashion industry. 

• Fashion Stylist

To achieve the best look of the designed garment, a fashion stylist comes into play. From deciding dress code to makeup, fashion stylists have a large and apparent role to play. Fashion stylists are also evident in costume designers. 

• Fashion Merchandising

If you are the first one to google ‘behind the scenes’, then this role is just for you. To the lesser-known champions of the fashion industry, merchandiser plans and studies past and current revenue statistics to make the company or brand achieve maximum profits. A fashion merchant must understand fabric, fashion, and colors. 

• Visual Merchandising

One of the most growing careers these days, as the retail industry is exploring more and more creative aspects to attract customers, Visual merchandising is also spreading its wings. If you love how stores present themselves, how those mannequins dress up, or how those beautiful windows are displaying styles, you are a perfect fit. 

• Quality inspector

This job may be less creative, but more exciting. A quality inspector checks the supply chain and makes sure all the parts and pieces are manufactured up to their level of standardization. You will typically be associated with export houses or manufacturing units.

Who are the top recruiters in the fashion industry?

The notable recruiters and renowned brands in the fashion industry are – Shoppers’ Stop, Reliance brands limited, Future Lifestyle Fashion Limited, Landmark Groups India, Aditya Birla group, ITC Ltd, Shahi Exporters, Pearl Global Industries Limited, Arvind Lifestyle, Ritu Kumar, Varun Bahl, Raymond’s, Levi’s, Anita Dongre, and so many more.

The average annual salary for a fashion professional would range from 4.5LPA to 6LPA. 

A curious mind would make a good fashion designer, but a creative heart will make a great fashion designer. Do not let anybody tell you otherwise.