How fashion designing is the career of the future

The field of fashion designing is often hailed as the career of the future, thanks to the exponential growth in demand for skilled fashion designers. Though the world of glamour may seem intriguing and lucrative, there is a lot more required to excel in the field of fashion.

We are breaking the course elements down in detail. Read on to find out more!

THE SKILLSET 

The skills required to be a successful fashion designer require creative and innovative abilities. The field of fashion design also demands that candidates stay abreast of current techniques and trends in fashion designing. For instance, buyers now look forward to buying more from sustainable brands, highlighting the need for proper research and analytical skills before introducing a new set of designs.

It also additionally requires candidates to be able to gauge the buyer’s preferences to understand which style or pattern is preferred by the masses.

Additional skill sets necessary for success in fashion design include knowledge of textiles, materials, market trends, accessories, and many such supplies. Essential skills also encompass the ability to articulate and communicate ideas clearly, eye for detail, sketching skills, visual imaginations, and attention to shades, hues, and tones. Other skills also include having proficiency with modern tools and software to create realistic designs that align with your vision as well as with the preferences of your target audience.

It is a vocational educational stream that not only requires prime education in the field but also requires an equal skillset to do so. Along with the following skills, the candidate needs to have the necessary soft skills to work with a team. These soft skills include time management skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, and many such proficiencies to make working together with a seamless, pleasant, and fruitful experience. 

Though along with the skillset it is important to pick the right course. Read on to know more about the fashion designing courses. The candidates should look up to online job portals, career workshops, career fairs, and many such domains for better opportunities.

The candidates can also opt for online courses to polish and refine their skill set. This can help the candidates with an added advantage in terms of competing with the rest of the candidates.

COURSES

Courses in the field of fashion designing encompass a range of options, including diploma, certificate, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. Candidates can also opt for an internship to gain experience in the real world, gaining valuable real-world experience that can significantly benefit them when entering the workforce.

The candidate must pass entrance examinations before securing admission to any fashion design course. Fashion designing students can opt for entrance examinations like the NIFT, CEED, UCEED, NID entrance, IIAD entrance, AIEED, and others. 

A diploma or certificate course can last 1-2 years. The eligibility for a diploma or a certificate course is passing the 10+2 with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized institute in India.

The eligibility criteria for undergraduate courses remain the same. A Bachelor of Fashion Design course lasts 3 - 4 years. The duration of a BSc in Fashion Designing is the same and is spread over six semesters. Students with a BSc in Fashion design can expand to multiple fronts of jobs like accessory designing, footwear designing, jewelry, and textiles. The eligibility criteria for a BSc Fashion Designing course remain the same, though the admissions may be direct or with an entrance exam. 

The Bachelor of Fashion Design course is foundational for students who wish to pursue higher education. These include courses like Bachelor of Design (BDes) and Bachelor of Fashion Technology, to name a few. 

The post-graduate courses require the candidates to have passed their Bachelor's Fashion Design degree with 50% marks from a recognized institute in India. The duration of the Master's course is two years. However, the duration of any Fashion Design degree depends on the institute. The courses at the Master's level include Masters of Design (MDes), Masters of Fashion Technology, Masters of Fashion Management (MFM), and many more.

The students from any stream (Arts, Science, or Commerce) can opt for fashion design courses or degrees. 

The Fashion Designing courses fees range from 1.63 - 3.12 Lakhs per annum. The syllabus, curriculum, and subjects can also differ by institution. However, the candidates should also take note of certain factors like the subjects offered, the scope of the course, duration, and fashion design course fees before opting for an institute. 

Though the fashion designing courses fees may also differ according to the institutes and the geographical locations.

It is always best to do an aptitude test before opting for any course to ensure that the candidate has chosen the right path. Certain institutes and academic and vocational courses like Bachelor of Fashion Design also offer aptitude tests to gauge the candidate's interests.  

OPPORTUNITIES

The world of opportunities in fashion design has been growing more than ever. As the candidate's proficiency increases, so does their possibility of expanding globally.

Fashion designing courses offer growth opportunities in industries like MNC fashion houses, educational institutes, leather and textile mills, and many more. Candidates can also resort to freelance services.

To expand the brick-and-mortar business model, advertising agencies, retail brands, clothing lines, fashion houses, and freelancers can also resort to online stores and boutiques. 

Apart from being a fashion designer, the job profiles for fashion designing students include, fashion marketer, quality control, personal stylist, costume designer, technical designer, fashion concept manager, visual merchandiser, retail merchandiser, fashion coordinator, retail buyer, exhibition designer, and organizer, fashion show organizer and many more!

Remuneration can differ based on factors like institutions, educational qualifications, experience, area of specialization, and many others.

Certain institutes also offer flexibility in education with course structures like part-time and full-time courses. Many fashion designing courses are available online along with the regular route. This allows the candidate with a part-time job or engaged in part-time courses to complete their studies simultaneously.

Also Read - Fashion Designing Course Guide (2024)