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Gucci! Tahilani! McQueen!! The big names
playing the big game!
Today, haute couture,
pret-a-porter, avant-garde have become common terms. The glitzy world of fashion beckons
anyone with a whole lot of patience, oodles of creativity, an artistic frame of mind and a
highly developed sense of aesthetics- someone who gives form and meaning to his vision.
Fashion consciousness is the new mantra.
The world of fashion encompasses such diverse areas of activity like designing garments to
manufacturing accessories to producing a fashion show. Accessories like shoes, handbags,
belts, scarves, jewellery and watches enhance the aesthetic value of the clothes worn by
an individual and fall within the ambit of the Fashion Designer’s repertoire of
career scopes. |
The eligibility for admission in any recognised
Fashion Designing institute that provides a 3 year Undergraduate diploma, is 10+2 with a
minimum of 50% marks (45% marks in case of SC/ST). However, this may vary from one
institute to another, as will the quality of training. The selection procedure usually
comprises a Creative Ability Test and a written examination to test the general knowledge,
skill, ability and aptitude of the candidates. The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
conducts an Advanced Professional Education Programme (3 years) in Apparel Design. One has
to be a graduate in Fine Arts, Home Science, Humanities or a diploma holder from a
Polytechnic with related specialisation and work experience.
So, are you ready to give a trial for
that perfect fit (pun intended) ?? Trained Designers can hold various positions in
clothing companies or export houses. These range from Chief Designer, Assistant designer,
Stylist to the Cutting and Sketching Assistants.
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You can begin your own retail or
wholesale garment business (provided you have a very rich relative or a stable
financial backup from some company). For the "not so resourceful", working for
an export house as a Merchandiser, dealing with garment / textile / handloom export can be
very lucrative. Accessory designing and organising Fashion shows are the other types of
jobs available. Fashion publishing and fashion journalism are also increasingly lucrative
and interesting work options.
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Government and
semi-government agencies, state handicraft and handloom corporations also employ personnel
in design and marketing positions and maintain their own showrooms for their products. In
the TV and Film Industry, jobs as comperes, costume designers or fashion program producers
are roads towards instant fame. |
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| Fashion Designers are often thought to
have glamorous lifestyles. They get to know the rich & the famous, move with
the jetsetters of society and are featured in the public media. However, apart from
walking down the ramp with a bevy of sensational looking models, as a Fashion Designer,
you'll also have various other things to look into - the occasional artists block, working
odd hours, losing your peaceful sleep and meeting deadlines when a fashion show or an
assignment is at hand. Work would also involve a close co-ordination with the crafts
persons who are often located in |
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far-flung
rural areas - but the joy of seeing your creation in its final place - displayed and
appreciated - is worth all the hard work. And the money is definitely good, if you can
calculate and woo the market.
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Some people are born artistic and some
develop their artistic skills with training. If a Fashion Designer is what you want to be,
you have to know how to put your ideas on paper. Practice sketching till you master it
(and then practice some more!); learn the effective use of colour and textiles, read
fashion journals and periodicals. A basic knowledge of the textiles - their weaves,
draping quality, colours etc. are important but not essential. But above all, keep an open
mind -perceive and indulge your imagination. A career in Fashion Designing also
requires a keen understanding of the market and customer lifestyles. Any Fashion Designing
course today is considered incomplete without CAD/CAM. The designing institutes train the
students but a working knowledge of computers is always beneficial. |
The making of a successful Fashion Designer involves a heady mix of all your
natural abilities and the technical expertise you acquire with training, and loads of luck
of course! You can end up being a "one day wonder " or a "fashion
guru". If glamour is what you love, and are willing to pay for it in hard work
and sweat - this is definitely your scene.
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And hey! Don’t forget to
send me a designer outfit with accessories (preferably
jewellery!). |
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