The fashion Designer profession has recently emerged as one of the most sorts out careers among the youths. These youths have their own creative style of dressing and believe in setting a trend rather than following a trend set by others. A career in Fashion Design not only involves meeting glamorous people and interacting with rich and famous, but also gives an impetus to the creative flair of the people who possess a sense of style. The major functional areas in the industry are designing garments, cutting the cloth, sewing the pieces together and finally merchandising. Popularizing and marketing of the various styles products is done through ramp shows and fashion write-ups.

Fashion is a term commonly used in relation to clothes, dresses, garments, textiles, etc. There is an increase in quality textiles and materials for the fashion designers to work with. 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 for growth are set for upcoming fashion entrepreneurs.

Nature of work: -

Fashion Designer creates designs for almost anything, which is part of the garment of men, women, and children. Designer understanding the needs of their clients create attractive and functional garments and accessories according to the latest trends, market conditions, weather and also keeping a close watch on the fit, style, color, texture, size and material. The process of making a dress starts with the sketching the original idea on paper. Then shaping the pattern pieces, which make the garment. The pieces are then drawn in actual size on paper and cut out on a rough material. These pieces are stitched together and fitted on a model. From the rough model sample garments are made in the final fabric. Much time of the designer is spent in exploration and research. Knowledge about fabric, weave, draping qualities, material, color and design and the changing trend is important.

Personality: -

A Fashion Designer should be artistic and creative. They should be able to express their ideas in sketches. They may not be a brilliant artist but must be able to combine colors, shades and tones. Designers have the flair for creating with fabric and know how to use textiles effectively. Designers need to have visual imagination and the ability to think in three-dimension to translate into garments what they visualize.

A Fashion Designer must be fashion conscious and must be aware of market requirements. In order to have an International perspective, they must read more and more of international fashion journals, books on history and art. They must also visit various art gallery and exhibition and interact with traditional artists whenever they get chance. As a designer one should have knowledge and experience of basic tailoring skills i.e. cutting, sewing, draping etc. besides this they should be able to distinguish among various fabric quality and particular about choosing a good cloth to work on.

An understanding of the market and customer lifestyle is required, so that design is suitable for people they are made for. Designers must be good communicator and very clear with their ideas which is reflected in the presentation of fashion show.

Specialization in work: -

1. Design Department :
Manufacturing units work on a large scale. They employ designers, cutting assistants, sketching assistants, junior designers. Cutting assistants have to cut samples as per specifications of the designer. This is followed by draping and garment and garment construction. Sketching assistants make the technical sketches of the garment, which are passed on, to cutting assistants. From the making of specification drawings decide how a garment has to be fabricated to the selection of fabrics is often the duty of the sketching assistant. Junior designers generally do the fist pattern cutting. They assemble the first samples with fabrics they have selected from the market.

2. Marketing and Merchandising :
Fashion trends are constantly changing, the people in the merchandising and marketing have a good knowledge of fashion trends, of sales data and the organizations marketing objectives. Based on this information the marketing department plans the company's overall direction. It determines the price, product requirement and hence they often work with the styling department when a new product is conceived.

3. Manufacturing Department :
The production manager is at the head of the manufacturing unit. He is responsible for scheduling work goals, training of workers, managing all activities in order to maintain quality in production. The production manager oversees the work of pattern cutting - from pattern grading, spreading and marking to cutting, assembling and finishing. With the production manager are the production assistants who supervise the work at each stage.

4. Fashion Coordinators :
They coordinate with the buyer and the production manager. The fashion coordinator makes sure production schedules are kept, meets buyers goes through specification for fabrics, colors, designs and keeps an eye on the quality. When buyers give their own designs, the coordinator helps decide the fabric color and accessories that should be used to suit the designs. They explain the design to the production pattern makers and get sample pieces made. The sample is draped on a dummy to see if some changes in details or style are required. Once the sample is finalized, its pieces are measured precisely. It is the coordinator who suggests how the cloth should be cut so as to minimize wastage. The garment is then finally presented for sale.

Career prospects:-

The garment business is growing in India and there is a great scope for designers. Do not, however, expect to become a celebrity overnight. Nor should you get carried away by the glamour. Much of the fashion is hard work, especially if one does not want to be labeled as a fraud. The industry can do well with some original designers who not plagiarize designs of others. The market would be tremendous for an original thinker. Perhaps the international market is waiting for some good work by Indians so that they can be taken seriously abroad as well. Professionals also need to get out of the thinking that they are nothing but tailors for high society ladies.

There are opportunities for work with the various sectors dealing with fashion. The opportunities for job exist in the following sectors:

1. Export houses dealing with garment / textiles / handloom exports.
2. Retail and wholesale garment businesses in men's / women's / children clothing in sportswear / casual wear etc.
3. Haute couture
4. Government / semi government - handloom / textiles manufacturers
5. Fashion show organizers / fashion choreographer / fashion publishers
6. TV / Film fashion program producers / comperes / costume designer etc.
7. Can think of starting one's own boutique.

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.8,000/- to Rs.10,000/-. For those who are extremely talented, this can touch Rs.12,000/-. 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.

Where to study?

Designing courses may be approached after 10+2 or equivalent while most other courses are open to graduates.

Fashion Institutes in Delhi: -

1. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
   NIFT Campus
   Near Gulmohar Park
   Hauz Khas
   New Delhi-110016
   Tel : 6965059, 6965080, 6964771.
   Fax : 6851198
   Web site : www.niftindia.com
   
   
2. Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF)
   C-56/2, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-II,
   New Delhi-110020
   Tel : 6849403, 6839414
   Fax : 6849401
   Web site : www.pearlacademy.com
   
   
3. National Institute of Fashion Design (NIFD)
   South Delhi Campus,
   Hauz Khas Enclave,
   New Delhi - 110016
   Tel : 6968868, 6531846
   Fax : 6968868
   Web site : www.nifd.net
   
   
4. JD Institute of Fashion Technology
   3 Lal Haveli, Hauz Khas Village
   New Delhi-110016
   Tel : 6964151, 6856457
   Fax : 6519482
   Web site : www.jdinstitute.com
   
   
5. IEC School of Art & Fashion (IEC-SAF)
   IEC House, M-92, Cannaught Place,
   New Delhi-110001
   Tel : 3325667, 3325938
   Fax : 3353913
   Web site : www.iecsaf.com
   
   
6. International Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT)
   H-12, South Extension Part-I
   New Delhi-110049
   Tel : 4620430, 4629370
   Web site : www.iiftindia.com
   
   
7. Apeejay Institute of Design & Information Technology (AIDIT)
   54, Tughlakabad Institutional Area
   Meherauli Badarpur Road
   New Delhi-110062
   Tel : 6981050, 6989459
   Fax : 6980208