Career Corner: Career in Fashion Industry

Ranjan K Baruah

Many students dream about choosing fashion as their career. When we talk about fashion, it is not only limited to fashion shows but it is one of the most creative professions. When we talk about fashion as a career, then we have to talk about fashion design, textile design, leather design, etc. All this together makes the fashion industry.

Many players, including global players, in the fashion industry are not looking forward to 2020 and beyond as the Indian market looks gloomy. The McKinsey Global Fashion Index forecasts that fashion industry revenue growth will slow further in 2020, down to 3-4 per cent, slightly below the predicted growth for 2019. The most optimistic region is Asia, that is China and India. Despite the current slowdown in the economy, the Indian clothing market is expected to be worth $53.7 billion in 2020, making it the sixth largest globally, according to the fourth annual State of Fashion report by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company.

There are many advantages in India related to the fashion industry. Rise in income levels is expected to drive demand in textile industry. And similarly growth in building and construction will continue to raise demand for non-clothing textiles. India has an abundant availability of raw materials such as cotton, wool, silks and jute. 100 per cent FDI (automatic route) is allowed in the Indian textile sector. To boost exports, free trade with ASEAN is allowed. Huge investments are being made by government under Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) and Technology Up gradation Fund Scheme to encourage more private equity and to train work force. These factors bring more opportunities for students who are planning to choose fashion as their career.

Courses in leading institute like National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) include Bachelor of Design in Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, Textile Design and Fashion Design. In the master level course it provides courses like Master of Design, Master of Fashion Technology and Master of Fashion Management. There are many other institutes in the country that offers similar courses and also different diplomas and advanced diplomas. Admission in leading institutes is through All India Entrance test which are conducted in all leading cities of the country.

Students after passing their senior secondary may appear for the entrance for bachelor courses and for post graduation diplomas minimum qualification is graduation. This year's NIFTS' entrance for UG and PG course would be held on 19^th January and results would be declared by February / March this year. NIFTS's campuses are in New Delhi, Patna, Shillong, Kolkata, Mumbai, Raebareli, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chennai, etc. Students may prepare well to get admission in these campuses. Coaching institutes are there to guide and mentor the aspirants.

Fashion Communication:

We are aware about the importance of communication in our life and in our career. Communication is must for every one of us and at the same time it has connection with fashion too. When we say communication and fashion then one of the subjects that come to our mind is fashion communication. Forget about the subject of discipline of studies but let us look at how important is fashion communication and its demand in present market.

Let us look at any market or any brand, what we need is a good branding of the product before it comes to market or in existing market to get more customers. Communication is related with lifestyle and other products related to fashion and hence there is demand and students are willing to take up subjects like fashion communication.

Fashion Communication is a unique and specialized programme that enables students to acquire communication skills relevant to the fashion industry. It includes styling, photography, fashion journalism, design, branding, advertising, visual merchandising, etc. Its relatively new areas or subject in the lifestyle and fashion industry but it has boomed up after globalisation and privatisation. These days we can see lot of brands related to lifestyles or fashions in India and around the world and this brings more opportunity for the aspirants who are planning to take up courses related to fashion communication.

National Institute of Fashion Technology is one of the leading institutions in the country apart from other which offers courses related to fashion communication. In the ever-growing world of fashion, the Fashion Communication (FC) design programme at NIFT happens to be the single most cutting-edge, exciting, and increasingly essential pathway to open up in the fashion and lifestyle industry. The significance of brand identity has come to be seen on par with what the brand sells i.e., the product. Numerous products and luxury brands keep appearing in the Indian retail scenario, and it has become essential for each one of them to develop a unique brand identity for maximum impact and visibility. Fashion Communication has made it feasible for these brands to communicate their products, identity, and strategy, by providing a platform for these very brands.

The Fashion Communication programme primarily focuses on four major domains i.e., Graphic Design, Space Design, Fashion Media and Fashion Thinking, and the related genres of these major areas, using hand and digital skills through knowledge, application and practice based approach.

One must remember that as the growth of digital revolution has bought challenges and opportunities, so, one need to plan their career thinking this in to mind. One must be familiar with technology so that they can also work in digital marketing by using social media and other digital media. Every one may not get into leading institutions but that does not mean that one would quit subjects like fashion communication. Please choose your institutes carefully as all institution may not help you in getting a sustainable job. Apart from qualification one must have the employability skill as if someone is not placed in any industry then s/he may start their own ventures. One should not forget that it is not only big industries that need fashion communication but even small and new start ups would need the same.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor, skill trainer, motivational speaker and strategic planner who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and Northeast India and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734 for any career related queries.)