Fashion Technology

Fashion Technology has opened up new vistas and offers high profile jobs both in India and abroad. Readymade Garment exports from India fetches around Rs.20,000 crores for the country, every year. There are many companies in India, engaged in the making of readymade garments, with hundreds of job opportunities for both men and women, which a large number of people take up because of excellent income yields. Readymade garments require a high-level training and honing of one’s skills. A number of institutions offer such training in Fashion Technology.

Readymade garment making has several departments, sections and levels. Of particular mention are positions like Designer, Assistant Designer, Cutting Assistant, Sketching Assistant, Aesthetic Designer, Junior Designer, Fashion Co-ordinator and several levels of Marketing personnel.

Following are courses for candidates with a minimum qualifying mark of 50% in SSLC or +2.

1. Diploma in Fashion Design
2. Certificate in Production Technology
3. Diploma Course in Apparel Making

1. Diploma in Fashion & Dress Designing
2. Diploma in Dressmaking & Fashion Co-ordination

1. Post Graduate Diploma in Apparel Marketing and Merchandising
2. PG Diploma in Garment Manufacturing Technology
3. Advanced Diploma in Clothing Management
4. Advance Diploma in Fashion Designing
5. Advanced Diploma in Apparel Merchandising
6. Diploma in Garments Production Technology
7. Diploma in Fashion Designing
8. Diploma in Fashion Merchandising
9. Certificate in Fashion Designing
10. One year course in Textile and Clothing

These courses are offered by a large number of educational institutions in India. The following institutions deserve particular mention.

1. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Kas, New Delhi
2. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad
3. Sophia polytechnic, Mumbai
4. International Institute of Fashion Technology, N-14 South Extension -1, New Delhi

International Institute of Fashion Technology offer seven different courses in dress designing, as follows:

1. Apparel Marketing & Merchandising
2. Garment Manufacturing Technology
3. Textile Design & Development
4. Knitwear Designing & Technology
5. Leather Garment Design & Technology
6. Fashion Design
7. Accessory Designing

All the above are diploma courses. Graduates with a minimum of 50% marks would qualify to join the diploma course ‘Apparel Marketing & Merchandising. Any bachelor’s degree holder can take up other courses like Textile Design & Development, Leather Garment Design & Technology, etc. No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed.

The minimum educational qualification prescribed for diploma courses in Fashion Designing and Accessory Designing is +2.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology is functioning in cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Gujarat, etc. The addresses are given below.

1. National Institute of Fashion Technology, NIFT Campus, Near Gulmohur Park, Nauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016	5. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Co-optex Building, Marketing Area, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.
2. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Tata Mills, Administrative Wing, Parel, Mumbai - 400 014.	6. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Sec-25, Gide Electronic Estate, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat - 382 010.
3. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Manjusha Bhawan, Karuangan, LA Block, IB-181, Sec-3, Salt Lake City, Calcutta - 700 001.	7. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Tata Mills Administrative Wing, Opp. Hind Mata Cinema, Parel, Mumbai - 400 014.
4. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chenetha Bhavan, Nampally, Hyderabad - 500 001.

1. SNDT Women's University, 1, Nathibai Thakarsey Road, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400 001.	6. JD Institute of Fashion Technology Andheri Centre, Ruby Aptt., Newar Vishal Hall, M.V. Road, Andheri Mumbai - 400 069.
2. Nirmala Nikethan, 49, New Marine Lines, Mumbai - 400 020.	7. IEC School of Arts and Fashion, H.O. IEC House, M-92, Cannaught New Delhi - 110 001.
3. Sophia College, B.K. Somani Polytechnic, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Mumbai - 400 026.	8. International Institute of Fashion Technology, H-12, South Extension Part - I, New Delhi - 110 049.
4. Pearl Academy of Fashion, C-56/2, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - II, New Delhi - 110 020.	9. Lady Irwin College, Sikandra Road, New Delhi - 110 001.
5. Polytechnic for Women, A-3, South Extension - I, Ring Road, New Delhi - 110 049.

Thiruchuzhi Co-operative Training Institute offers following courses in Fashion Technology in Tamil Nadu:

While Dress Making is a one-year course, Cutting and Stitching is a two-year course. Minimum qualification for candidates aspiring to join these courses is SSLC. Applications are to be submitted within 15 days from the date of publication of SSLC examination results.

The Kothari Academy in Chennai is an institution for women and it offers diploma courses in Fashion Technology and Garment Manufacturing. This is a two-year course.

The Dharmambal Government Women’s Polytechnic offers diploma courses in garment designing.

Fashion Technology offers plenty of opportunities. Many youngsters join these courses because of the excellent and immediate job opportunities that this field offers. On the alternative, one can also be on one’s own, given the circumstances.

Prof. S. Narayanarajan, MBA, (Nellai Kavinesan)
Business Management Department
Adithanar College
Tiruchendur.