There is much more to fashion than clothes and models. Designing clothes is only a part of fashion; there are several other areas that are equally creative. For those who possess a sense of style and design, a career in fashion designing gives an impetus to their creative flair. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offers several courses in design, management and technology. It aims at establishing the benchmark for the quality of professionals that go into the fashion industry. The institute has 15 professionally-managed centres in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kannur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Jodhpur, Kangara, Mumbai, Patna, Rae Bareli, Shillong and Kolkata.
The courses offered at NIFT are extensively integrated with fashion business. NIFT offers four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) courses in accessory design, fashion communication, fashion design, knitwear design, leather design and textile design; Bachelor of fashion technology (B.F.Tech.) in apparel production. It also provides two year course in Master of design(M.Des.); Master of fashion management (MFT); Master of fashion technology (M.F.Tech.).
Students opting for fashion design will have subjects such as fashion illustration and design, fashion studies, elements of textiles and will have to undergo an industry internship.
Whereas those opting for leather design will learn about leather processing, surfacing techniques, computer applications, retailing and design products. They will also be trained in merchandising and supply chain, advanced pattern making and construction.
Accessory design programme helps students address a wide range of accessories and lifestyle products, precious and costume jewellery, leather goods, footwear, watches, gift wear, tableware and other various products. Each centre offers a separate specialisation in accessory design programme.
The four-year course in apparel production trains students in the apparel manufacturing technology. Students learn about equipment and processes thorough hands on training in laboratory, classroom sessions and industry exposure. Students will also use computer applications in apparel production.
Admission into NIFT is based on a written test where candidates will be tested in various facets of skill, aptitude and knowledge of the opted programme. A situation test, psychometric test, group discussions and interview are also conducted.
The written test includes a General Ability Test (GAT) that comprises of various sections such as quantitative ability, communication ability, English comprehension, analytical ability and a business domain test -- where the candidate’s knowledge and awareness is tested about the fashion industry etc.
The Creative Ability Test will examine ones skill, power of observation, innovation and design ability. Students who are short listed after the written tests are required to undergo a Situation Test Some courses like Bachelors in Apparel Production, include a Managerial Ability Test (MAT) that will include examine students in three sub tests -- Case Study, Business Domain Test and Logical Ability.
Some of the Masters programmes include a psychometric test where candidates are tested in Task Oriented Competencies and People Oriented Competencies.
NIFT also offers diploma courses that range from one month to a year. Admission to these courses is based on a personal interview.
Job prospects
Those who successfully complete their graduate and postgraduate degree programmes will get placement assistance. Several leading companies conduct campus recruitment annually. Students are being placed in companies like Adidas, Calvin Klein, Black Berry’s, Pantaloon Group Shahi Export House, Raymond and Reebok to name a few.
NIFT Prepare students to pursue careers as designers, design managers, merchandisers, freelance design consultants, forecasting and fashion trend forum organisers, fashion communication journalists or costume designers in textile industry.
For more information visit - www.niftindia.com.
