Rupal Dalal, Executive Director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi reveals how fashion world is changing in India and what prospects does it bring for budding fashion aspirants.
How is Fashion Designing emerging in India?
Indian fashion scene has been emerging globally for quite a while now and will soon become a prominent market in the world. The Indian fashion industry is expected to reach US$ 400 million in a couple of years with the vigorous growth of over 10 per cent year-on-year.
While this is tiny compared to the global industry, it is not too bad for an industry in this stage of infancy. Young Fashion designers are implementing ideas in the field of design which are not only environment-friendly but is breaking the stranglehold of shimmer and bling on the Indian fashion scene.
What other subsidiary fields of fashion are evolving these days?
Alternative fashion, which focuses on sustainability and upcycling with waste material, dubbed the new textile is redefining ‘Trends’ for a while, challenging couturiers who are comfortably ensconced in the complacency of mainstream.
The alternatives are making Semi couture focusing on recycling and upcycling. Textiles like Ikat, Khadi, Mulmul, Kota and dyes like Indigo Dye and Kalamkari are considered luxury now and advancement in creativity is also challenging the idea of couture.
How do you think ethnic arts of India are impacting the fashion industry which was earlier ruled by western design?
India is looking for an alternative to Fashion and lifestyle. With numerous Indian Government funded programs and craftsmanship initiatives, the focus is not only shifting on homegrown and organic textiles but also on silhouettes and embroideries catering to the need of the fabric.
The whole wave of sustainability is not only promoting textiles but is also preserving the skills existed for centuries but are now in danger of extinction due to lack of awareness. This, in turn, generating employment for the artisans as well and hence improving the quality of their lives.
How do different genres of designing such as apparel, jewellery and interior designing enrich a student?
The scenario for fashion, Interior, and jewellery designing career enthusiasts looks good, thanks to the enormous and still increasing demand for stylish clothes and the quantity of exports. After successful accomplishment of the graduate course, one can be self-employed. On the other hand, several garment store chains, export houses, leather companies, textile mills, boutiques, fashion show organizers and jewellery houses recruit professionals fascinated with a career in fashion designing.
With renowned alumni like Rocky S and Shane and Falguni what is the institute’s vision for students of fashion designing in India?
JD’s Vision, as the motto says “Welcome to Imagination “is to provide a world-class infrastructure, with state of the art facility, well-equipped library and having the industry experts shaping the JEDIIIANS to upskill their creativity, developing their thoughts and executing their imagination. We focus on providing high-quality education and training, having a global curriculum with a global platform, constant research and continuous learning is our focus to become a top university in the world of Arts and Design.
JD’s training for the JEDIIIANS on Arts and Design is exceptional from other institutes where the focus is mentorship for the aspirants, giving them, the required industrial exposure required, along with workshop which develops their thinking, making them the new changemakers, the future leaders, by getting inspired to innovate and revolutionize.
Any unconventional or niche designing courses offered at your institute?
Fashion Business Management: If you are seeking inside knowledge of the fashion industry or planning to develop key skills to start a fashion business or even associated with fashion export/apparel houses, then this is the appropriate course for you.
The course covers the entire gamut of the business of fashion, and exposes you to problem solving skills, strategic planning, decision making, leadership, organizational goals and competitive global market study.
Visual merchandising: The Diploma in Visual merchandising aims to impart knowledge and latest technology in the fast-growing field of retail Merchandising. Visual Merchandising is a specific art of displaying merchandise in a manner that appeals to a potential customer.
The student goes through rigorous training understanding the consumer buying phycology, the sales potential in terms of the right display in retail shops, showrooms, windows, signboards, interiors and other promotional drives.
Product Development (Textile)Program: The course gives insights on arts from different regions like block printing, traditional hand painting, various handloom sarees and handicraft from different regions of India. It also focuses on the development of design products through market analysis and current scenario of the craft acceptability.
Fashion Styling: The course provides a curriculum to become Professional Fashion Stylist and work closely with designers, video makers, photographers and artist in the Fashion Industry. During the course, students get international exposure to put their learning skills in practical and build their portfolios right from the beginning and get recognized globally.
