Browsing Category

Fashion

BLOCK PRINTING SESSION

ur textile faculty from ICF Ms. Bharti Mishra took the onus of taking the entire batch of MBA and BBA to a fascinating art of block printing. The session took place at Sarai Kale Khan where a team of artisans were performing this art for ages. We were briefed by artisans on how to do this art.

Further, we were separated into groups to do practical.

Materials we needed were:

  •  A few bowls or trays
  • Sponges (washing up sponges or ones used for car washing will do)
  • Table for printing
  • Carpet underlay or foam
  • Felt
  • Fabric – for natural dyes, use natural fabrics such as cotton, silk. For synthetic dyes, you can use any fabrics. Wool is not an ideal fabric for printing on as it does not produce a crisp outline
  • Textile paints or natural dyes mixed with the thickener

Artisans  directions :

  1. You need a table to pin your fabric to for printing. I used a simple wooden table to which I then stapled a piece of carpet underlay, a piece of baize felt (any felt will probably do), and a piece of calico cotton over the top.  Make sure each layer is tightly stretched over the table. This construction allows for an even, firm printing surface that you can tightly pin your fabric to.
  2. Pin your piece of fabric onto the covered table making sure the fabric is ironed and pinned flat.
  3. Squeeze out a blob of fabric paint or dye into a tray and dab the sponge into it ensuring the dye covers the sponge. You could also paint the dye over the sponge with a brush to ensure it is completely covered and soaks into the sponge.
  4. Press the block firmly into the sponge as many times as needed to ensure the colour covers the block completely.
  5. Press the block firmly onto the fabric with even pressure. Hold for a few seconds and carefully remove.
  6. Continue to print in a variety of colours, compositions, and repeats letting your creativity run away with you.
  7. Fixing the print will depend on the manufacturer. A common method is to iron on the reverse. For natural dyes, iron on the reverse, and then rinse in alternating temperatures of water with detergent.
  8. Clean the blocks by rinsing them in warm water and scrubbing with a bristle brush or toothbrush.

By keeping all the directions in mind, we choose different colors and blocks and made our own samples.

block-printing-2

block-printing-3

We  thank Ms. Bharti Mishra ma’am for giving us throughout support. It was fun and learning at the same time.

Waiting for many further sessions to explore more …… !

Ananya Singh
MBA-FE(2018-20)
Please follow and like us:

FRESHMAN’S ORIENTATION

The orientation for BBA batch 2018-21 and MBA batch 2018-20 was quite an experience, A-listers from the fashion and business industry were there as guest speakers. It began with the ceremonial welcome of the guests by Mr. Vinod Kaul and Ms. Jaivani Bajaj, remembrance of Ma Saraswati, Lighting of the lamp and prayer sung by students of BBA batch sem-1st. Prof. Gulbash Duggal introduced the guests(Mr. Ashish Soni, Mr. Hemant Sagar, Ms. Rachna and Mr. Sam Baisla) and other faculty members and spoke about academics at ICF. IC- connect, our e-magazine was launched by Mr. K.K. Bajaj. The magazine provides information about both the fashion and finance world. IC-connect will give students a chance to showcase and share their knowledge and experiences at ICF. Post this, a discussion was there on “what is more important to your organization mission, core values or vision?”, Mr. Vinod Kaul, a seasoned professional with over thirty years of experience in the retail, fashion and publishing industries at senior positions, and also headed the FDCI as an executive director, started the discussion about the important things and values we need in developing our organizations and the things we have to keep in mind to have a successful organization.

fashion-orientation-2018

Mr. Ashish Soni launched his label in 1991, followed by his own independent design studio Ikos Designs in 1993. He became the first Indian designer to hold a solo showing in Delhi. He was also the first designer to be invited to hold a runway show at Olympus fashion week, New York and, he was one of the first Indian designers to retail through Selfridges.

Mr. Hemant Sagar was born to an Indian Father and a German Mother (that explains his good looks). He went on to study design and dressmaking in Germany as a teenager. He started his career in fashion as an apprentice in Germany and then went to Paris.

Ms. Rachna is a proactive professional with a refined sense of aesthetics and perfectionism having two decades plus of experience in Luxury and Lifestyle Retail at senior management positions.

Mr. Sam Baisla is the founder & CEO of NEXEL. He’s LinkedIn influence strategist helping entrepreneurs, small businesses and startups in social branding, leadership and sales. He is also the co-founder of Viaa soul an organization, dedicated to bringing world culture together. He has trained and inspired a hundred thousand plus young leaders and loves to share his experience and ideas on leadership, entrepreneurship, branding, communication and social media.

The panel members gave their words of wisdom to the new batch, Ashish Soni spoke about the future of fashion in India and how Indian fashion scene is growing, Hemant Sagar showed the international aspects of fashion and  spoke about  the ups and downs of his career, it was all real talk,  but was so inspirational. Sam Baisla talked about entrepreneurial skills and management and how social media has influenced today’s generation. Ms. Rachna Verma explained how the economy and luxury fashion works and how India is growing in the luxury sector with brands like LV and Dior opening their stores. It ended with the wise words of our CEO, Mr.Abijit Bose and  Mr. K.K. Bajaj, the Founder Chairman and Chief Mentor of Bajaj Capital Ltd.

Looking back it was a wonderful event where everyone got to learn something and had fun.

–Aakash bharati &  Keerthi telidevara

BBA-FE(2017-20)

Please follow and like us:

Fabric in Trend 2018

Fabric is to fashion like currency is to the economy. It makes up the very basis on which it operates and is the building blocks on which the rest is built. Fabric fulfils the same function with the type of fabric usually determining what the final product will try and convey to the consumer. So knowing what the trends are in designs is fine, but for the overall rounded look, it is important to understand the fabric which it will be composed of. So here’s a list which will hopefully try to do justice to all your needs and help you craft the trendiest look for the upcoming season.

Look east

Don’t worry this isn’t a trade policy but this is something top designers in India are doing while going about their designs. The north-eastern part of India has a rich cultural heritage and there has been an attempt to bring it out recently. From Assam we have the classic Muga and Pat silk woven into intricate patterns. Nagaland gives you a chance to experiment with the traditional back strap weaving technique called loin loom. The list of opportunities however doesn’t end here for you could even try out the pure cotton handloom fabric worn by the Meitei of Manipur and so on. The list is never ending but it would break the monotony of your regular wear and give you the chance to stand out. Do so quickly, as this is a fast emerging trend and may not be so novel very soon.

Classic style staples

Some fabrics never go out of fashion, they are just reborn in different avatars and all we can do is to keep up. This season therefore amp up the flash and the pizazz with sequins, but none of the small stuff. We are talking sequins of the big variety. It’s just like they say- go big or go home!  Another fashion favourite these days are chunky knits. Extremely comfy, they need minimal accessories as they tend to look cute without any effort. And lest we forget the staple, nobody should ever throw out of their closet; lace. Lace is the sort of fabric which speaks effortlessly for itself and you should let it do so as this extremely versatile material can be moulded into anything from dresses to leggings.

What is it if not sustainable?

There has been a rise of a new manner of fabrics which are catching on quick considering the state of the ecosystem right now.  Today a customer demands multi-functional fashion which will provide aesthetic beauty as well as functional features in one product. Smart sustainable fibres are riding this new wave which not only satisfies the customer’s needs but also keeps the environment clean at the same time. Fibres made out of rose, coffee or pineapple are thus the cutting edge of fabric today.

So what fabrics do you think match with your needs and persona as you prepare for the season?

Please follow and like us:

A Time When Youtube has Changed Everything

“I was one of those kids who was just always on the internet, always on YouTube, so it was easy for me to do
it. It’s not work. It’s just fun. “ ~Shawn Mendes.

That is so true, YouTube has changed everything! Even my life in particular… before the internet there was a particular time to watch any tv show or a movie now we have the ability to watch it anywhere, anytime it’s just on the tips of our fingers.
It’s just crazy to realize it…

SAFIYA NYGAARD

I came across this channel called Safia Nygaard on youtube lead by Safiya Nygaard herself with the help of her boyfriend Tyler. She uploads videos related to fashion, online shopping, make up and aspects which attract the millennial. Her personality is really admirable and I just love her work. *Safia has a interesting way of seeing
things and testing out things. She puts humor in her videos and tries crazy stuff on her channel but it shows great deal of content in it.
The information in her videos help fashion students like me to know about the history of a particular trend or a particular time period, which is fun to watch. She also has an interesting intro part in some videos where she goes with “hellooooo frandzzz”. It is always fun to watch her videos, get information and get to know facts about not only fashion but also make up, what stuff to buy online and what not to and many more.
Overall her videos are worth giving a try because they are humorous, entertaining and at the same time informative.

JUSTINE LECONTE

justineThis channel Justine leconte officiel is a perfect example for saying that the internet/youtube is not only for entertainment but also for educational purpose.
Owned by a French fashion designer, this channel mainly focuses on the young fashion students to improve their skills. She has various type of videos where she explains the fashion trends, portfolios, forecasting and a lot of other stuff related to fashion and her journey in the fashion industry.
Her channel is basically a one-stop destination for fashion students like me. She also owns an e-commerce store. I really like this channel, Though she doesn’t have a huge following as of now, the video content is very informative and helpful for fashion students.

-Sai Keerthi Telidevra
BBA-FE(2017-20)

Please follow and like us:

FASHION UPDATES

FOREVER 21

fashion-update

The brand has majorly focused on petite sizes with their signature style in every collection. Like every other collection of the brand, Forever 21’s new collection also has their signature silhouettes and a-line designs. Didn’t see a lot of change there. Despite of familiar silhouettes, the brand manages to attract a lot of teenagers. Their presentation and display helps the brand a lot in attracting customer. They has also starting focusing a little more on their sizes. No matter how attractive their collection is, it’s a little difficult to find sizes like XL and XXL.

H&M

Capturing the Indian market pretty well in the least amount of time, H&M offers a wide range of products for all the age groups transforming itself to make the company even more c customer-driven, efficient and flexible. H&M has always offered a wide variety in terms of design, prints and silhouettes. Not following the stereotype, the brand works with a lot of different silhouettes, prints and a lot of layering.. The autumn winter collection screams comfort on the very first look of it. Baggy multi-purpose jackets, patterned dresses, jumpsuit, calflength skirts and shirt dresses, wide trousers, trench coats, lace lingerie. All this in an assortment of exotic prints with a color palette of pastels and nudes. The clothes are very eye catching and appealing to all types of audience that goes there but there is nothing new when it comes to accessories. The accessories from SS 18 still continues in AW18. Muskan Agrwal BBA- FE (2017-20)

Denim Hues

Colour takes on a split direction this season, with both fresh, fun pastels and super punchy brights having equal importance for womenswear. Perennial navy hues shift and appear increasingly casual. This movement counters how true denim categories are smartening up and becoming enriched and sharper. These faded, laundered denim-like tones move into the fashion space for cotton wovens and lighter-gauge knits. Complementing deep indigos, softer blues are styled together to create a tonal, layered and sophisticated feel. Prof. Gulbash Duggal Associate Dean, ICF

Please follow and like us:

Street Style Trends

So, it’s time for another season and it’s time to wonder what fashion is up to these days. It’s a deceptive little thing fashion, along with its partner in crime the trend it wreaks havoc through wardrobes everywhere. What colors has it decided to lean towards this time? Has it decided to be sensible this time or has it gone completely wild? Will you need to replace your entire wardrobe or are you set with a few tweaks to your existing collection. Don’t fret for we have put in the time to get you the highlights of the season as you get set to rock and roll.

  1. Sheer

         Good news for all you girls out there. Sheer skirts and sleeves are still in as top designers bring their sheer creations to run way. So, don’t forget to rock that sheer top on a night out with your friends or spice up a date with just amount of sheer. Just remember there is a thing as too much sheer.

  1. White boots

        This is something we have seen cropping up all over the place. A beautiful pair of ankle length white boots is something which is surprisingly versatile now that we see it.  From giving that dress an edgy look to bringing back retro with a pair of well crafted trousers. This is fast becoming a must have for both men and women.

  1. Warm those toes

         Praise those cold nights when you feared frostbite but braved it nevertheless because you had those amazing new heels to show off. Fret not because turns out you can pair those amazing heels with socks to stop your toes from falling off. Not only your heels but they go well with your sandals too.

  1. Colors

         It is tempting to take the demure route with some muted colors and safe colors but if the European Fashion Shows are anything to go by then the colors will be anything but be muted. Don’t be afraid to wear outfits which pop out. At the same time there should be no hesitation in going monochrome. Take one color and go wild with it. Pro note- Try it out with your fancy white boots. Keep an eye out for emerald green and yellow.

  1. It’s a ruff world

Ruffles are all the range this time. Paired with or without pleats these are two killer statements this season. So go all in if you dare.

  1. Statement bags with writing

         The reputation of a statement bag precedes itself but what about a statement bag which is actually capable of putting across who you are with a slick quote or statement  on the side. A very nice fusion of words and fashion this is something we can definitely get behind and can also see catching on in a bigger way.

  1. Checks

         An ever-lasting fashion staple, it shows no signs of quitting anytime soon. So, bring back those checks from the bottom of the wardrobe and rock it never before.

This list is not intended to be exhaustive in its scope. Fashion is limited only by your imagination and what you can think of. So this season let go of all inhibitions and have fun.

Please follow and like us:

Embracing Technology in Fashion Industry

In the enchanting world of glamour, a fashion trend is very short-lived and changes with a blink of an eye. So is the case with technology. Technology is advancing and evolving at a pace which is hard to comprehend. For instance, not long ago, a watch had merely one function and that was to show time. Now a watch can monitor your heart rate, the steps you have taken in the entire day and even the calories that burnt during your daily activities. But you might ask, what does technology has to do with fashion?
Well, technology is changing every industry globally, and the fashion industry is no exception to this transformation.

So how exactly is technology helping revolutionize fashion? Here’s a small compilation of most the tech trends that are changing the fashion industry:

1. The smartphone mania:
A millennial has seen the rise of smartphones. Smartphones have definitely changed the way entrepreneurs approach a business. With top brands and latest fashion available at fingertips, retailers and fashion giants have changed their business strategies to cover e-commerce. This has also helped local businesses to reach out to their potential audience effectively increasing their business many folds.

2. The rise of Artificial Intelligence:
You might be seeing ads on the internet about those jeans you searched recently. Or perhaps recommendations of what you might like on your favorite shopping website? And aren’t we impressed with that? The magician behind all this is an AI engine which has, over the time, learned what kind of products you like. This has helped e-commerce websites to give personalized shopping experience to users, helping them find the right things.

3. Smart Wearables:
We are not just talking about smartwatches that connect to your phones. The possibilities are infinite. Imagine, clothes that can charge your cellphones or materials that can change color according to your mood? The possibilities are endless and are becoming a reality as we speak.

4. Virtual and Augmented reality:
AR and VR technology are transforming customer experience at retail stores and even on e-commerce websites. You can try your favorite clothes without actually trying them, and know how they will look on you. You might be familiar with putting on glasses on your face to see which frame of spectacles suit you, you were experiencing Augmented Reality.

Fashion is changing, and the industry is definitely embracing technology and the new horizons it brings with it.

Please follow and like us:

International College of Fashion – Where Skills Are Turned Into Assets

Not too long ago the fashion industry in India was disorganized. Most of the fashion designers were either self-taught or ones who had the opportunity of being in close contact with the celebrity designers. All that has changed and today you need a degree in fashion technology to make your mark in the industry. At International College of Fashion (https://www.icf.edu.in) we help you put the right steps ahead in so that you can stay ahead of others. We have topped the charts among fashion institutes in India and testimony to that is the fact that we attract students from every corner of the country.

Polishing Your Skills
There is creativity in every individual and not only in some people that is often believed. While some are expressive others are a little shy or reluctant to put their ideas in front of others. Whether you have good sketching skills or not you can still be a good designer. We will unearth the hidden skills in you and polish it to perfection. This has been our trade secret as year after year we have been able to shape careers of students in different fields of the fashion industry from designing to marketing and illustration.

Modern Curriculum for Modern Day      
The Fashion designing industry is constantly evolving and calls for a comprehensive training program that is designed to meet all the challenges that students would face in the careers. Our claim to fame among the top fashion institutes in Delhi is thanks to an inclusive curriculum that we have. We have prepared this along with top academics of the Indian Institute of Technology New Delhi, National Institute of Design Ahmedabad and National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business. The course curriculum has been developed with focus on the domestic and international markets that puts our students in an advantageous position when they go out hunting for jobs.

Experienced Faculty Members
Fashion studies are a creative stream where traditional styles of teaching don’t prepare the students or help in getting the best out of them. We have hand-picked a team of faculty members who will create an interactive and enthusiastic atmospheres in the classrooms or off it. The fact they have years of industry experience puts them in the right situation to guide you through the different obstacles that you are likely to face during your course.

Join our designing and entrepreneurship program and a bright career stands ahead of you.

Please follow and like us:

Fashion Entrepreneurship – Building Future Fashion Leaders

Indian fashion industry has seen vigorous growth in recent years. The industry offers lucrative opportunities for intuitive artist and creative talents. The current market scenario is prosperous for fashion design graduates as there are multiple career options as designers, pattern makers, sketching apparel workers etc.It also gives a rewarding entrepreneurial prospect to the student as the fashion stylist, clothing designer, merchandiser, boutique owner etc.

International College of Fashion (ICF) established in the year 2010, promoted by the Bajaj Capital Group, has been facilitating unique Fashion Entrepreneurship programs. It also been awarded as Asia’s Fastest Growing Fashion Institute assessed by KPMG.

ICF offer courses from BBA to MBA levels which are highly industry-specific and aims at the overall development of student ranging from conceptual knowledge of fashion to real market trends. International College of Fashion (ICF) through it fashion entrepreneur program lay down strong professional foundation for future leaders and successful entrepreneur for the emergent fashion industry.

The curriculum is co-developed by National Institute of Design Ahmedabad (NID), IIT-Delhi and National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business (NIESBUD).The courses are designed to aid students with best career options and take up entrepreneurship, with an inclusive professional portfolio on successful completion of course. At International College of Fashion (ICF), we aspire to transform young talent into qualified fashion professionals through innovative classroom training, real-time case studies, mentorship and Internship to make them employable to the multi-disciplinary fashion world.

 Global Exposures

At ICF, We believe that international exposure is essential for global cultural awareness and holistic development of the student. Our students have been given various opportunities to unveil the global market through workshops and seminars with partner colleges in London and interactive mentoring sessions with the fashion entrepreneurs like  Jenny Holloway, Director, Fashion Enter, a factory for large-scale production and a Fashion Studio for grading, sampling, and small productions run. for leading retailers, etailers, designers and new business start-ups, TANYA SMITH, designer of the brand “made in Britain”, NIGEL RUST, Business Mentor, Coach And Manufacturing Specialist, and much more.

ICF strongly believes in training its design entrepreneurs to be professionally ready for global business. To fall true to this ambition, we encourage our design aspirants to participate in various international fashion weeks; the latest being the World Indigenous Fashion Week, to be held in Seychelles, during the Kreol Festival, where the students of ICF will launch their labels and rub shoulders with the design community from across the world.

Success Stories–of our alumni speaks of the success of our endeavors at ICF.

Sapna Lohia – launched her label ‘Kaliereh’ at the FDCI Fashion Week and is now catering to the fashionistas of Delhi.

Saumya Sharma – Got together with three of her friends and Launched ‘MadSamTinZin’ a designer label, that is now a regular at Lakme Fashion Weeks; The flagship stores of the label is now spread over all major metro cities. They are also involved in designing for the Bollywood movies.

Rachita Gupta – her designs were showcased at the Lakme fashion week and is now running her label ‘RA & RI’

The success story of our students are endless and we aspire to maintain that.

Please follow and like us:

Should Designers Work in Pairs?

Look at it more closely and you will see that the ‘famed hand’ behind a fashion label is invariably not a single designer but, indeed, a pair of them! What with Abraham & Thakore, Meera & Muzaffar, Hemant Sagar & Lecoanet, Ashima & Leena, Nikhil & Shantanu, Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna … and the list goes on.  Fortuitous? Unlikely?

The cynic would scream ‘orientation’. Perhaps this would explain the start of some of the partnerships, but surely it cannot explain it in its entirety! So what’s special about the fashion world?

We are all aware of Fashion as a Creative Art, but Janus-like, it has another less glamourous side – the Business of Fashion. Fashion is as yet not hung in museums but must jostle for hangar and shelf space in regular retail stores, even if up-market. This requires the complete torturous stages of business – manufacturing, marketing, finance, inventory management, et all. What this means is that Fashion requires two traits – one Creative and wistful and the other Logical and down-to-earth. Very few have this within the confines of a single brain … exceptions being Armani, who built up his own business and on this side of the world, Tarun Tahiliani who started out as an ivy college MBA!

This is why the Fashion Industry finds itself in pairs – while one of the partners is the sensitive, creative side, the other does serious down to earth not-so-pleasant things like sales, promotion and manufacturing amongst other things.

JJ Valaya is passionately steeped into creative design while his brother, TJ Singh looks after the business, and the two share all the spoils equally. Before the break, it was Ashima who was the sensitive designer while cousin Leena was the determined face to the world.  Rajesh Pratap Singh has his very business-capable sister, Sapna. Padma Shri Ritu Kumar may have been the doyen of Indian fashion but, as it is said, she may not have been such a big success were it not for her husband, Shashi Kumar, relegated to the shadows, who painstakingly built a national-level business making Ritu the most successful Indian designer ever.

When I was head of the FDCI and we were making furtive attempts to develop the Business of Fashion, we found that our nemesis was the designer himself – potential businesspeople could not fathom or reconcile one who would normally not wake up before noon, be unable to keep an appointment or a delivery commitment, or unwilling to negotiate his label for any inducement. I remember once having to take my client and a photographer to a senior designer’s residence and literally pull him out of his bed, all because he missed an important morning photoshoot! We finally had the shoot in the designer’s living room.

The modern crop of designers is certainly more alert and aware and business-wise more savvy. Still, I would say as it is in cricket, only a few are both batsmen and bowlers, for the rest the best bet is to take on a ‘fashion partner’!

By:  Vinod Kaul

Please follow and like us: