Browsing Category

Fashion

The Impact of Metaverse on the Fashion Industry

The Impact of Metaverse on the Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is constantly evolving, and the introduction of Metaverse has opened a world of possibilities for fashion designers. Metaverse is a virtual world that allows users to create and explore 3D environments. It has the potential to revolutionize the way fashion is designed, produced, and consumed.

How the metaverse is advancing the fashion industry

Exploring the possibilities of Metaverse in fashion, designers can create virtual fashion shows, allowing them to showcase their designs to a global audience. This could be a great way to reach new customers and increase sales.

Metaverse can be used to create virtual stores, allowing customers to browse and purchase items without ever leaving their homes.

Metaverse is also changing the way fashion is designed. Designers can use the platform to create 3D models of their designs, allowing them to experiment with different shapes and colors. This could lead to more creative and innovative designs, as designers are no longer limited by the physical constraints of traditional fashion design.

Benefits of using Metaverse for fashion designers

Fashion designers have long been looking for ways to make their designs stand out from the crowd. With the advent of the Metaverse, they now have a powerful tool to help them do just that. The Metaverse is a virtual world where fashion designers can create and showcase their designs in a unique and engaging way. Here are some of the benefits of using the Metaverse for fashion designers:

1. Increased Visibility: The Metaverse provides fashion designers with a platform to showcase their designs to a global audience. This means that fashion designers can

reach a much larger audience than they would be able to with traditional methods. This increased visibility can help fashion designers to gain more exposure and recognition for their work.

2. Improved Collaboration: The Metaverse allows fashion designers to collaborate with other designers from around the world. This means that fashion designers can get feedback and advice from other professionals in the industry, which can help them to improve their designs.

3. Increased Creativity: The Metaverse provides fashion designers with a platform to explore their creativity. With the ability to create 3D models and animations, fashion designers can create unique and eye-catching designs that will stand out from the crowd.

4. Cost Savings: The Metaverse is a cost-effective way for fashion designers to showcase their designs. By using the Metaverse, fashion designers can save money on production costs and marketing expenses.

The current state of the fashion industry

The fashion industry is a rapidly evolving sector, with new trends and styles emerging every season. In recent years, the emergence of the Metaverse has had a profound impact on the fashion industry, from the way fashion is designed to the way it is consumed.

The impact of Metaverse on the fashion industry

The Metaverse has opened up a new world of possibilities for fashion designers. With the ability to create virtual fashion shows and digital collections, designers can now reach a much wider audience than ever before.

The use of 3D printing technology has allowed designers to create unique and intricate pieces that would have been impossible to produce using traditional methods.

The future of fashion design

The Metaverse has also had a major impact on the way fashion is consumed. With the ability to shop online, consumers can now access a much wider range of products than ever before.

The world of virtual reality technology has allowed consumers to experience fashion in a completely new way, allowing them to virtually try on clothes before they buy them.

The impact of Metaverse on the fashion consumer

The Metaverse has also had a major impact on the fashion supply chain. With the ability to track products from the factory to the consumer, companies can now ensure that their products are of the highest quality and arrive on time.

The use of blockchain technology has allowed companies to create a secure and transparent supply chain, ensuring that their products are not counterfeit.

The impact of Metaverse on The Supply Chain

The impact of the Metaverse on the fashion industry has been profound, and it is clear that it will continue to shape the industry for years to come. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that the fashion industry will continue to benefit from its advancements. From the way fashion is designed to the way it is consumed, the Metaverse is sure to revolutionize the fashion industry.

Advance short-term fashion designing courses that will help you:

Are you looking to pursue a career in fashion design? If so, the International College of Fashion (ICF) in Delhi is the perfect place to start. ICF offers a variety of short-

term fashion design courses that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the fashion industry.

The first course offered by ICF is the Fashion Designing Foundation Course. This course is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the world of fashion design. It covers topics such as the history of fashion, the basics of design, and the fundamentals of pattern-making. It also provides students with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the fashion industry.

The second course offered by ICF is the Fashion Designing Advanced Course. This course is designed to give students a more in-depth look at the world of fashion design. It covers topics such as fashion illustration, fabric selection, and garment construction. It also provides students with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the fashion industry.

The third course offered by ICF is the Fashion Designing Professional Course. This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry. It covers topics such as fashion marketing, fashion forecasting, and fashion merchandising. It also provides students with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in the fashion industry.

ICF also offers a Fashion Designing Internship Program. This program is designed to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fashion industry. Students will be able to work with experienced professionals in the fashion industry and gain valuable insight into the industry.

Conclusion

Despite these challenges, Metaverse is an exciting new technology that has the potential to revolutionize the fashion industry. By creating virtual fashion shows,

virtual stores, and short-term fashion design courses, fashion designers can reach new customers and increase their sales.

They can use the platform to experiment with new designs and create 3D models of their designs. With the right approach, Metaverse could be the key to unlocking the future of fashion.

Please follow and like us:
Color Forecasting in The Fashion Industry

Color Forecasting in The Fashion Industry

The fashion industry is constantly evolving, and color forecasting is one of the most important aspects of staying ahead of the curve. Color forecasting is the process of predicting which colors will be popular and is an essential part of the fashion industry. By expecting which colors will be famous, fashion designers and retailers can create collections that will be in demand. 

 It is a complex process that involves a variety of factors. Designers and retailers must consider current trends, cultural influences, and even the psychology of color when making predictions. They must also consider the changing seasons and the impact of the environment on color preferences. 

What is Color Forecasting? 

 Color forecasting is the process of predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. Fashion designers and retailers use this process to create collections that will be in demand. The process involves:

  • Researching the current trends in color.
  • Analyzing the data.
  • Predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. 

Once the data has been gathered and analyzed, color forecasters create a color palette that reflects their identified trends. Designers, manufacturers, and retailers use palettes to develop products that will be attractive to their customers. 

Color forecasting is an integral part of the fashion industry, as it helps companies stay ahead of the competition and create products that will be popular with their customers. By understanding the trends and predicting what colors will be in demand, companies can develop products that will be attractive to their customers and help them stay ahead of the competition. 

Process of Color Forecasting 

 The process of color forecasting involves researching the current trends in color, analyzing the data,000q, and predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. The research involves looking at the current trends in fashion, art, and design and researching the existing color palettes of popular brands. The data is then analyzed to determine the colors that will be popular in the future.  

1. Research: The first step in color forecasting is to research the current trends in fashion. Look at the popular colors in the current season and note which ones are the most popular. Analyze the popular colors of the current season and identify the most popular ones. Examine the colors fashionable in past seasons and determine if they are making a comeback.

2. Analyze: Once you have identified the current trends, it’s time to analyze them. Look at popular colors and see if there are any patterns or trends. Are there any colors that are consistently popular? Are there any colors that are becoming more popular? 

3. Forecast: After you have identified the current trends, it’s time to forecast what colors will be popular in the coming season. Look at the trends you’ve identified and make predictions about which colors will be popular. Consider the season, the current trends, and the colors that have been popular in the past. 

4. Test: Once you have made your predictions, it’s time to test them. Look at the chosen colors and see if they have already been used in fashion shows, magazines, and other sources. If the selected colors used, you can be confident that they will be popular in the coming season. 

5. Adjust: Look at the trends you’ve identified and see if any other colors could be popular. Make adjustments to your projections and test them again. 

Color forecasting is an integral part of the fashion industry. By following this step-by-step guide, you can accurately predict which colors will be popular in the coming season. With the proper research and analysis, you can stay ahead of the trends and ensure that your designs are on-trend and fashionable. 

Why Color Forecasting? 

 Color forecasting is essential for fashion designers and retailers because it helps them to stay ahead of the trends and create collections that will be in demand. By predicting the colors that will be popular in the future, fashion designers and retailers can create collections that will be in the market and will be able to stay ahead of the competition. 

A color forecast in the fashion industry predicts the colors that will be popular in the future. This prediction is based on research on the current trends in color, art, and design, as well as the current color palettes of popular brands. The data is then analyzed to determine the colors that will be popular in the future. 

Scope of Fashion Industry and color forecasting

 The scope of the fashion industry is vast and includes clothing, accessories, footwear, jewelry, and cosmetics. Each of these categories has its trends and color palettes. Color forecasting helps fashion designers and retailers stay ahead of the trends and create collections that will be in demand. 

The scope of color forecasting is vast and includes predicting the colors that will be popular in the future for clothing, accessories, footwear, jewelry, and cosmetics. By predicting the colors that will be popular in the future, fashion designers and retailers can create collections that will be in demand and will be able to stay ahead of the competition. 

Fashion Forecasting in the Clothing Industry

 Fashion forecasting in the clothing industry is the process of predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. This process involves researching the current trends in color, analyzing the data, and predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. This process helps fashion designers and retailers to stay ahead of the trends and create collections that will be in demand. 

Conclusion 

Color forecasting is an integral part of the fashion industry. It is the process of predicting the colors that will be popular in the future. This process helps fashion designers and retailers to stay ahead of the trends and create collections that will be in demand. By predicting the colors that will be popular in the future, fashion designers and retailers can create collections that will be in demand and will be able to stay ahead of the competition.

Please follow and like us:
How to Become a Fashion Merchandiser

Career Guide: How to Become a Fashion Merchandiser?

How to Become a Fashion Merchandiser?: Designing is an important aspect of the fashion industry, but it is definitely not the only aspect. A lot of hard work goes into getting the clothes from the manufacturer to the retail shop and finally into the customer’s wardrobe. There are so many things that you can do to be a part of this loop and fashion merchandising is one of them.

This career opportunity is quite rewarding, once you attain the correct training and experience. If you are one of those people who can dedicate themselves to their work and will not shy away from a dose of sheer hard work, fashion merchandising is the perfect path for you. We are going to give you a detailed description of this profession and answer every single question you may have.

Read Also: Fashion Designing & Fashion Technology Courses

How To Become A Fashion Merchandiser?

To become a Fashion Merchandiser, you need creative, motivated, goal-oriented, resourceful and must have good communication skills.

Master the basics to win the game

You need to learn the basics first in order to excel in the profession. Your role is somewhat similar to a forecaster, except you do not study weather changes, but market economy changes.

You need to be able to look at the past performances of the company and the present situation and predict the direction in which your company is heading. Your role involves determining which products will assuredly be profitable and the ones that are an absolute loss.

The Fashion Merchandiser acts like an agent between the manufacturer and the customer, the link that communicates between the two. You need to look over the processes of packaging and marketing the products. It is the only through proper branding and promotion that will shape the success of the product.

Read Also: Career in Fashion Designing

Get skilled up!

We have already discussed the major skills that a Fashion Merchandiser needs to develop. It is on the basis of how many skills you have acquired that you will get your coveted job.

As John Ruskin said once,

Skill is the unified force of experience, intellect, and passion in their operation”

Unless you are passionate about your job, you will not enjoy honing these skills.

There are various talents that a Fashion Merchandiser exhibits, starting from knowledge about the market trends, consumer relationship, and aesthetics of display management to being a financial wizard.

Unless you get yourself aptly skilled up, you most definitely will lose your competitive edge. Always remember that education only makes you sufficient, but skills are what make you efficient.

Real Also: Masters in Fashion Entrepreneurship + PGDFE

Create value through connections

If you want to succeed in the fashion retail industry, you must develop connections in the industry. Knowing too many people never harmed anyone.

It might even surprise you how much you can benefit solely through the relationships you have built with the people you met. Be it store managers or college professors, they might be the reason you get your big break in the industry.

As a Fashion Merchandiser, you need to work on the floor of the retail shops. This enables you to administer full control over all the factors that are in direct contact with the customers.

Since your role as a Fashion Merchandiser involves being the Jack of many trades, you need to have a solid background to help you move forward.

Read Also: BBA in Fashion Entrepreneurship

What Is Fashion Merchandising?

Every industry requires a strategic analyst and a marketing executive, someone who will administer advertising and management. These are the basic responsibilities of Fashion Merchandiser. The promotion of sales is one of the most important aspects of this job.

It is vital to introduce the products at the right time to a suitable market where the target customers frequent. It is the duty of the Fashion Merchandiser to make an analysis of the sales from the previous season and predict the most likely future performance of the company or the store.

They are responsible for the type and quantity of clothes that will be available in the store for the customers to buy. They will need to make strategies on how to sell all the existing stock before the stocks from the new season come in.

It is because of the systematic analytic skills of the Fashion Merchandiser along with their in-depth knowledge about the business that profits are made. Their market study on the type, color, design, and textiles helps the designers to come up with products that will be accepted by the customers.

They work with the designers to ensure that the products are affordable for the target market while making a profit for the whole chain of departments involved in the product from creation to sales.

All the Fashion Merchandisers live by the 5 rights of merchandising to be able to properly satisfy the customers as well as turn a good profit. These 5 R’s include the right merchandise, at the right price, in the right place, at the right time, in the right quantities.

This enables the Fashion Merchandisers to evaluate the variety of customers that the target market welcomes and their specific needs.

Read Also: Short term Courses in Fashion Designing

Why Become A Fashion Merchandiser?

If you are someone who loves fashion and has a commercial interest in the industry, this is the perfect profession for you. The analytical aspect of running a business in the fashion industry demands a thorough knowledge of the fashion trends coupled with a keen eye for financial details. This profession can give rise to feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment if it is because of your incessant research that fashion designers came up with certain clothing trends.

If you are someone who likes a challenging job, which keeps you ready on your toes at moments of dire need, then being a Fashion Merchandiser will be a good choice for you. One of the best reasons to opt for this career path is because the longer you stay in the industry, the better you get. Your job does not get monotonous since trends in fashion keep on changing.

Read Also: The Best Institute for Fashion Designing

What Is The Typical Work Environment?

The most commonly seen work environments for Fashion Merchandisers are retail stores, children’s clothing stores and sometimes with designers who run their own brands. It also involves traveling to a few fashion shows to remain updated on the latest trends and strategizing ways to make that available for the customers.

There are a number of things that you can do before and after starting the career as a Fashion Merchandiser. Some of these professions you may stumble upon are, sales associate, store manager, customer service representative, visual merchandiser, fabric trend analyst, merchandise director or stylist.

Read Also: Top Fashion Designing Colleges in India

Basic Duties Of A Fashion Merchandiser

There are some duties that are specific to the job of a Fashion Merchandiser which may be targeted daily or weekly or monthly.

  • Obtain regular knowledge about existing and upcoming trends
  • Work with retails managers to arrange visual displays to make them appealing for the customers and increase sales
  • Could be in charge of setting the retail prices for products
  • Analyse financial estimates for the upcoming season
  • Determine the different fashions, clothing, and accessories that should be stocked in a particular store
  • Travel to be in good terms with buyers, manufacturers, and suppliers to encourage cooperation
  • Take to social media to connect with potential customers and understand their needs
  • Maintain strict control over the inventory and regulate budgetary requirements
  • Organize floor plans to accommodate new arrivals and maintain a systematized sales floor

Read Also: What Can You do With a Degree in Fashion Design?

Skills Required

Every profession demands a few special skills from the individuals in order to excel. To become a Fashion Merchandiser, the following are a few skills that you need to master:

  • Fashion awareness at all times
  • A keen eye for details
  • Ability to meet deadlines on time
  • Communication skills to interact well with the whole team and a variety of customers
  • Customer service and feedback to create a strong customer base
  • Prevent losses and gain market share

Read Also: Why Fashion Designing Is A Good Career?

Educational Requirements

After finishing your high-school, you should enroll yourself in a fashion merchandising graduation program, which will lead you straight into this field. If you have already done your graduation in a different stream, you can always attain a diploma degree in the said field.

Although it is vital to have experience in the field rather than just bookish knowledge, it will play to your strengths when acquiring the said hands-on experience. You must learn everything about your job in text and then apply them when gaining experience.

BBA in Fashion Entrepreneurship, PG Diploma in Fashion Entrepreneurship or Masters in Fashion Entrepreneurship will lead you straight into the career path Fashion Merchandising.

These courses will make you proficient in topics like market research and consumer behavior, fundamentals of merchandising, surface ornamentation, retail and brand management, fashion marketing, visual merchandising among others.

You should grab the opportunity to be a part of Industry Internships and get your career started.

Read Also: Part-Time Fashion Designing Courses in Delhi

Starting A Career In Fashion Merchandising

Starting a career requires you to follow a strict process that will not only enrich your knowledge but also help you attain your goal. The following points will guide you through the whole process of becoming a professional Fashion Merchandiser.

  • After pursuing the necessary educational requirements, you need to attain hands-on experience through retail businesses. You can try to get into fashion retail stores in shopping malls, boutiques or a chain of clothing brands. You must learn through everything that you experience, these will help in sharpening your skills for a successful career in fashion merchandising.
  • Internships are a crucial factor in this profession. Try to get an internship from the institute you are studying in or on your own. While interning, you get a close look at what your future awaits you. You can intern as an assistant buyer, sales executive at a retail store or social media internships. You might also get in touch with Fashion Merchandisers and work under them, learn from them and observe what they do closely.
  • Put together a compelling portfolio because this career path is quite competitive. In order to get a competitive edge, your résumé needs to provide potential employers with visual proof of your outstanding abilities, educational excellence, and valuable internships. The fashion merchandising portfolio can include reports based on market research, sample plans for showroom or store floor layout and visual merchandising plans to tip the scales in your favor.
  • Keep an eye out for job openings both online and offline. Make a note of the skills that different employers are demanding, find some in common and gain experience to hone those skills.

Read Also: How To Grow Your Fashion Business Successfully

Know Your Employers

For all aspiring Fashion Merchandisers, it is vital to know your potential employers. You can always choose to be a self-employed freelancer in this field, owning your business, which quite a few fashion designers do. You may work full-time with companies, brands, and retail stores on a contractual basis.

Fashion businesses involved in various fields as production, promotion, designing, clothing, cosmetics, shoes or jewelry require Fashion Merchandisers. Following are a few examples of potential employers whom you need to target:

  • Manufacturers of textiles and fabrics
  • Fashion publication house, both print media and online
  • Advertising agencies who promote designers and retails stores
  • Fashion shows (both production companies and individual shows)
  • National department stores and retails chains
  • Specialty and consignment stores
  • E-commerce stores

Read Also: Some of Our Recruiters

The earnings in this profession vary from one country to another. We are going to explain with the use of US dollars and INR to get across a larger audience. The starting salary in the US as a Fashion Merchandiser is $24,000 (per annum). The higher end of the salary goes up to approximately $68,000 yearly.

In the Indian market, the expecting salary ranges between 1.3-6.4 lakhs, annually at the very start of the career. Although it might seem like an average number, these are always scoped for improving this number with more experience.

As a Fashion Merchandiser, you need to be equally interested in the fashion and business side of the industry. You will need to develop the innate skill of determining which trends will be a great hit among the customers and the ones that will hardly become popular.

This job demands a lot from you which requires learning to multitask without losing your efficiency quotient.

Please follow and like us:

Victorian Era with an Indian Twist at Asian Designer Week – 2019

Victorian era, a glamorous time period for rich Indian textiles. The fusion of these two far apart poles was the theme of our project this time. The challenge at hand was to bring to life, a garment which was set in the victorian era but fabricated in authentic Indian Textiles. It may seem like an easy thing, in theory, it did to us too, but when it came to practicality, this was the hardest thing about the project.

Victorian-Era-with-an-Indian-Twist

We began our quest with updating our knowledge on everything related to the victorian era fashion: the silhouettes, the fabrics, the colors, all design elements, accessorization, utility wear, etc. The Victorian era was a time of flowy, fluffy ball gown, of lacy parasols, of large, feathery hats, of elegance, of feminity. People of that era had dress codes for specific occasions, there were high societal expectations for women, and to fit those expectations women’s fashion was changed drastically.

Next came our research on Indian textiles, which was an eye-opening experience because we happen to neglect our beautiful collection of textiles every single day. Indian textiles are rich in culture, color, and history of their origins.

Victorian Era 2.jpeg

This collection was to be displayed at the Asian Designer Week 2019, so our deadlines were tight. I personally believe in practical learning, and taking on a challenge to stitch a garment to be displayed in a fashion show, was on my list for long. This time, I was able to successfully take that challenge head-on. After all the approvals in line, and the fabric ready at hand, I drafted patterns for my design with the help of my wonderful faculty always ready to help me. It took me around 4-5 days to completely perfect my garment, and another couple of days to complete my accessorization. I chose to make a parasol on my own as part of my accessorization, along with a waist belt and a ruffled necktie, which completed the whole look.

Our show was scheduled on 6th October 2019 at Hotel A Dot by GNH, ambiance island, Gurugram. We reached the venue around 1 pm the same day, with all our things ready for the show. After a few minor issues backstage, we were able to get our models ready for the display in time, which was a feat in itself, but also a nerve-wracking experience, because that entailed that the show was about to begin.

Our display went wonderfully well, without any mishaps, which made us all let out a breath we didn’t know we were all holding in.

To me, this whole project will always be dear to my heart, because it was an amazing concept, brought to reality by my own hard work, day and night, and I’ll forever cherish it as a student, and furthermore.

Abhilasha Sharma
3rd Semester, BBA FE (2018-2021)

Please follow and like us:

Style our hair with Twist Knot Headbands

If there’s anything that’s equally important for a perfect picture, a flawless social media look or even a feel-good factor then it’s undoubtedly the way you style your hair. Your hair is the extension of your personality deserves all the time and care required to strike a chord.

velvets

Just like the quality of salt doing so much for the dish and remaining in the background, styling your hair simply with quirky trending accessories helps you bag fawning adorations and adulations.

Twisting your everyday look, the trends that are popping up everywhere and has become “the must-have for all casual affairs” is the knotted headbands, cut out for mastering retro style.

houndstooth

These effortlessly cool bands can be donned with so much ease giving a high style quotient to your overall look. These are cute, hip, and chic and definitely fly for nailing summer attires.

They run in a huge variety from ordinary to extraordinary, from velvets to houndstooth, from polka dots to Sequined Kitsch, leaving us with a plethora of options to explore our styling sensibilities.

polka dot

These fun bands are also very simple DIYs, all you need is any knit/ woven fabric, your basic sewing supplies, a few stitch lines here and there following some simple instructions and adding the final finishing touch with a knot at the end, making this accessory a fashion staple of your style wardrobe.

Peeping in the past tells us, these “full of beans” twisted knot bands have made a huge comeback from the trends of the ’80s. Sundresses, casual denim or even cruise wear, twisted turban bands have worked well with almost everything, making “everyday good hair day” possible even retrospectively.

Kriti Mehta
Fashion Faculty
International College of Fashion

Please follow and like us:

DELHI TIMES FASHION WEEK

The Delhi Times Fashion Week (DTFW) had a glittering start in the capital on Friday. The three-day fashion extravaganza, powered by Danj Entertainment, had an impressive line-up of designers from the fashion industry showcasing their finest collections. Day 1 was all about festive fashion and had known names like Rina Dhaka, Anupamaa Dayal, Nikhita Tandon and designer duo Anjalee and Arjun Kapoor headlining the event, which is being held at Roseate House, Aerocity. The event began on Friday, 20th September and ended till the 22nd of September. The event also showcased collections by Madame, Cantabil, Charu Parashar, Marks & Spencers etc.

It was an initiative by the Times group and had many other sponsors which include Toni & Guy, Delhi Times, Transworld, Danj and many more. We, as design students got an opportunity to visit the shows on different days in different groups.

delhi-times-fashion-week

We went to the first show on the 20th of September with a group of 10 fellow classmates. While waiting long for the show to start, we saw celebrities like Harsh Khullar and Bandhana Sondhi. As we entered the hall, we got all the fashion vibes as we saw the ramp, dim-lit and all lights, camera, actions ready! We took our allotted seats and in no time, the show started. It was Anupama Dayal’s “Banjaran” collection that was being showcased. The garments were all very bright and colourful yet not blazing to the eye. They were in Indian silhouettes and comprised mostly of lehenga-choli with dupatta and suit-salwar. There was a smart use of fabric and fabrics of different prints were used in contrast-different fabric print and colour for the shirt, sleeve, skirt and dupatta. Gota work was quite prominent in the hemlines of the skirt and dupatta in many outfits. Tassels were hanging around in the dupattas and the blouses along with the braided hair of the models. This was a catchy part of the show as all the models were styled in two braids with colourful tassels and ribbons hanging around their hair to give the banjara look. Models were also seen in nicely draped sarees in red and green with a dangling belt around the waist. Overall, the collection was quite lovely and very traditional and festive. It gives playful and quirky vibes-Indian yet not traditional. One unique and overlooked element of the show was the footwear-all models were wearing same footwears i.e beige jootis with tassels handing round them!

The show ended with the entry of Anupama Dayal on the ramp and all her models following her and dancing around. They all gathered at the front and bent down on their knees, dancing depicting the joy and merry that banjarans have. Anupama wore a yellow saree with a red blouse, almost matching her collection.

We absolutely loved the collection and the show itself! We had many takeaways and learnings from the show and are looking forward for more such opportunities.

Tanisha
BBA FE 2019 -2022

Please follow and like us:

Internship opportunity with Fascino Kids Fashion Week 2019

Right from our very first day at ICF, we have been gaining experiences in the fashion world and this July got us one very exciting one.

An opportunity to work at the Fascino Kids Fashion Show, an exclusive Fashion Week for children between 3-14 years of age, with a series of interactive workshops leading the participating children with sessions on Personal Hygiene, Etiquettes, Personality Grooming putting forward a holistic, confident personalities on the ramp.

fascino kids

This was an exciting opportunity for me and my other enthusiastic lot of friends since none of us had ever had the experience of handling these little bundles of energies. Glad we all enrolled ourselves for this and were prepared to take this new challenge head-on.

The show was scheduled from 25th-27th of July 2019 and was held at Eros International, Nehru Place.

We were involved from day one….from the trials to training and practice days for the child models and handling schedules for all the participating designers.

Time management was one of the major factors that we needed to learn and report to work an hour early than the kids’ schedule since all the arrangements for the day were to be organized and put in place to avoid any delay or glitch during the sessions.

We were about to be hit with a real challenge of handling small kids throughout the day while helping the Organizers. The kids started to pour in and some of them came in “like a wrecking ball”. Some of the kids were not ready to leave their parents at all and kept wailing and crying. That was truly a challenge, to get them separated from their mothers, get them changed and make them practice along with everyone else. But we were not there to give up easily. All through the days this cycle continued, designer after designer, kid after kid, and we would generally wrap up the day around at about 9 in the night right after a short meeting with our team heads….just to repeat the whole process every day for the next couple of days; but the second day was less chaotic, thanks to our experiences gained the day before.

Then came the big day, the actual show on Saturday the 27th of July, 2019. We all reported at the venue sharp at 8 am, dressed and ready to work in our Fascino Kids Fashion Show custom t-shirts, that gave us the sense of responsibility to shoulder the brand we were working for.

We began readying up the first lot of kids for our first scheduled show at 11:00 a.m., which was actually delayed by an hour due to technical issues, but hiccups like this are common in such fashion events. With each show, our work gradually got easier, and we had a smooth functioning through the fashion shows……. till the finale show……That was when chaos broke. We ran out of hands to help backstage, and 3 people barely kept the kids in control, but with immense help from one of the team heads, we were able to deliver an amazing finale of the day that was widely appreciated and adored.

The after-party to celebrate the success of the show had us all as a team had us all danced and celebrate the successful line of shows the whole day, and we all retired to our homes in groups and pieces, to finally rest our feet which had been working on and on through the week.

Even though the whole experience was tiring and we ran out of energy to function by the time we got to leave, it was all worth it when we received our certifications when we rejoined college.

We were also awarded a beaming trophy to represent all the hard work we all collectively put in, and it was truly an amazing moment to be able to hold it in our hands.

The trophy now rests in the office of our Chief Mentor, Ms. Jaivani Bajaj’s office, as a beautiful memory of something so demanding and challenging yet so rewarding and full of knowledge.

This was an experience gained, that will forever be with us all.

Abhilasha Sharma- BBA FE 2018

Please follow and like us:

A WARM WELCOME TO ICF

Oof! With a mix of thoughts and high spirits I carried the load of my pretty bag and started my day with a classic smile. I rushed through the metro and headed straight to the college. As I moved towards my class, probably every new face I saw could hear me breathe heavily. I entered the class, greeted my new mates and took a seat to catch my breath. Within a moment, my teachers came in with a big smile and I could sense a lovely vibe of aspiring learners ready to embark on this new journey. The teachers introduced themselves and their respective subjects to us in a very semi-formal way. It was way better than I expected it to be. I enjoyed their session as they gave us an inside sneak peak of the industry we were going to step into.

Then arrived the snack break and we were served with some authentic Delhi street food alongside some soft drinks to fill in our young stomachs.

The seniors came in and initiated an ice breaker activity to help us interact and perhaps improve our social skills. We enjoyed playing different character roles, singing, dancing and mimicking comic characters.

international_college_of_fashion_logo

The college organized a few designer talks for us to get pumped up with inspiration and zing to work hard and brace ourselves for the course. The teachers seemed so determined and energetic to impart their knowledge to us. This gave me a feeling of satisfaction and that very moment I knew I came to the right place to learn. Down the week, the college had many activities for us. This helped us to get more comfortable with the college atmosphere.

Alumni students dropped in to share their experiences with us and we got a chance to clear out our doubts regarding different job/business aspects after college. The exposure we had in the first week was outstanding. We got exposed to the people from the industry and got to clear view of the life ahead waiting for us.

To be honest, in the beginning, I was a bit apprehensive about college life at ICF. But now, after 3 weeks I can proudly say I am at the right place. This place is a metal and it means education at its best. The teachers are hardcore and willing to give the best they’ve got. I hope to experience a wonderful educational journey with ICF along with memories to cherish throughout my life.

Moin Shaw BBA 2019 – 2022

Please follow and like us:

The Pret Imperative

I became the head (Executive Director) of the FDCI, now nearly a decade ago. Our office was in an apartment in Saket, a common practice at that time. To reach the office on the second floor, we had to walk up the stairs and jump over a sleeping dog known for being aggressive when provoked. As I took up the onerous reins of the fashion industry in India, I realized that much like the dog, the gross artistic talent of Indian designers was immense but the fashion design industry was still in its infancy and had made a little impact at home in India, much less the World. Coupled with the rich Indian heritage and culture we should have been talking of a major industry. In reality, designers were living from hand-to-mouth and quite literally operating from their father-in-law’s house!

This is when I commissioned research through the well-known consultants KPMG to study the level of the current industry and also to benchmark the West where billion-dollar brands such as Giorgio Armani, Versace, etc. all mocked us. Surprisingly, my initiative did not find sympathetic support from the FDCI Board which, unfortunately, consisted entirely of designers who were sure they knew it all. The results of the study, however, were seminal.

In the West, the industry started at the top of the design totem with couture (exclusively one of a kind) remaining exclusive and relatively small. It did make a handful of designers personally rich but as an industry, it was nowhere, and it was extremely risky for investors. The industry grew as designers moved down the chain to diffusion – multiple but limited lines which were sold in studios with, most often, the designer himself in attendance. The real breakthrough came when a few enterprising designers pushed to move into pret-e-porter (ready-to-wear) available off the shelf and at affordable, even if premium, prices to a vast upper-middle-class!

The move to Pret was not easy.  Designers quickly realized that Pret required large numbers to make business sense. This required efficient factories, distribution to a large number of stores, marketing, etc. This was usually beyond the competence of designers and was also beyond their interest areas. This is the classic clash in a fashion business – how to mate the vagaries and subtleties of art with the heat and dust of a competitive marketplace. The solution, of course, was the partnership of the high-flying designer with down-earth businessmen. The partnership could be in the form of a joint venture with a corporate which could bring in finances and skilled managerial support. That is how the West got into the big leagues.

Unfortunately, we in India faced many hurdles on many sides. At the FDCI, to promote Pret, we instructed all participating designers to show only Pret collections at the India Fashion Week. However, this was easier said than done as designers still displayed what they were most comfortable with – couture! Those who did venture forth most often came up with watered-down lines of their couture lines or worse still, Western wear! We could see that Indian fashion had a long way to go to mature. Customers were also in a time warp where they valued the weight of the garment, the amount of embroidery or surface work done and hesitant to move beyond drapes.

On the creative side, designers had to learn, to their dismay, that pret is not a mini version of their couture collections with, say, a little less embroidery but required a fresh new approach and a totally new collection.

The other challenge at the FDCI was to get investors and corporates to partner Indian designers. The trouble was both ways – with designers and with Indian corporates.  From the FDCI we extolled Indian designers, but businessmen found it difficult to relate to persons who ‘got up only after 11 o’clock’, did not care much about business civilities and wanted to be treated as prima donna’s! On the other hand, designers could not accept that the corporates valued their business to just a simple multiple of one year’s sales rather than the hundreds of crores they thought they were really worth. Further, they found it unthinkable to sell their label, which was usually their own personal name, to an alien entity and risk the possibility of losing it entirely. The result was that potential corporates such as Raymond, who even launched a Designerwear chain called BE:, baulked from backing any designers. Instead, when expansion was called for, they preferred to buy out premium, mass brands which in the case of Raymond was Color Plus. It finally devolved on foreign businesses such as LVMH, who better understood the dynamics of fashion, to invest into Indian designers.

Luckily, the new breed of Indian designers, having much less baggage of yesteryears, is far more business savvy and are able to quickly appreciate business complexities. However, Indian corporates are still tardy at making investments in Indian designers as they are still uncomfortable with the risks of the industry and still face a less than robust retail infrastructure. The saving grace has been the VC’s and other foreign investors who have made that move. Today there are a handful of Indian designers who have made it close to the Rs 100 cr. annual turnover. This includes the like of Rohit Bal, Ritu Kumar, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and Anita Dongre. Of particular pride for us is Anita Dongre, whose pret labels and retail chains, Indo-western styled Global Desi (138 retail stores) and  Western-styled AND (125 retail stores) together with other labels add up to a solid Rs 725 cr per annum.

Although having less flourish or creativity than her brethren, Anita’s Dongre’s phenomenal success has been due to a relentless focus on Pret, sharing the business end of the stage with her MBA brother, Sawlani and the VC’s who put up the money. This is just a tip of the iceberg of what Indian fashion can do when everything falls in place. To be sure, there is still a long way to go but now the glass ceiling for Indian designers has been broken!

Vinod Kaul

Jt. Managing Director, ICoFP

Please follow and like us:

India is a country with various cultures and tradition

It was around 1980s; the late 80s and the 90s saw a spurt growth of fashion in India.

It was only in 1999 that India showcased its first-ever fashion show. Of course, there existed many designers before the 90s but the fashion industry was never that widespread until the late 80s and 90s.

The main trademark of fashion in India is because of the Bollywood industry. Since its inception, people get really inspired and keep trying to copy the designer’s styles.

In the year 1986, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India opened the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in Delhi with the help of the Fashion Institute of Technology in India.

The word fashion brings the glamour. There are 100s of designers now. Some are really popular and some are still expanding. India today is one of the mostly dense countries which are mainly giving a hand to the fashion industry in order to magnify.

The western culture has most influenced our fashion industry. However, Indian cultural fashion has not loosened its popularity too.

Our fashion industry has started to grow and is expected to propagate exponentially in the next two years.

The growing population itself is predicted to hand the fashion industry to develop manifold. The love for brand names has already gone crazy and that will increase the consumerism.

In a nutshell, it can be said that the Indian fashion industry is budding at a high pace. This industry is offering a wide range of opportunities to the creative people, artists, hard-working and innovative people.

There are plenty of job opportunities in this sector; so what I personally feel about this is that the Fashion Industry is totally going to be a professional’s career choice with a lot of fascination. Rest, the time will showcase what the industry beholds for us.

Saloni Sharma

BBA-FE (2019-21)

Please follow and like us: