OPTIONS FOR CAREERS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology, set up in 1986 under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is a Statutory Institute governed by the NIFT Act 2006. It is a pioneering institute and leader in the sphere of Fashion industry. It successfully integrated knowledge, traditional arts, contemporary thought, academic freedom, innovations in design and technology, and creative thinking. NIFT continuously upgrades its curriculum to address the ever-changing needs of the world. The rich history of standing at the pinnacle of fashion education for more than three decades stands as a testimony to its focus on key core values where academic excellence has been nurtured. NIFT marks itself as a beacon for many determined and passionate professionals as they get transformed to be the epitome of torchbearers in the field of fashion. Since its inception, the institute has provided a firm foundation in fashion education in the domains of Design, Management, and Technology to proudly become synonymous with excellent fashion education in India. 

This premier institute has always been committed to excellence and brilliance. The vision to embrace challenges and emerge victorious while being the principal change makers has only helped in setting the highest academic standards. It has adopted a format of Majors, Deepening Specialisations, Minors, and General Electives. Interdisciplinary Minors provide individuated pathways that would permit students to acquire interdisciplinary skill sets and opt for a set of subjects that complement studies in one’s major or explore an unrelatedarea of intellectual interest. The Craft Cluster Initiative has been integrated into the curriculum. Increased Industry interaction for students through classroom projects, internships, and part transactions in Industry Environment is the focus of the restructured curriculum. New and emerging areas across disciplines integrated into the curriculum: Artificial Intelligence, Designing Ergonomic Environments, Advanced Apparel Manufacturing Management, Big Data, and Business Analytics, Fashion Thinking, User Experience, Sensory Design, Augmented Reality, Virtual Experience design, CAD 3D & Contemporary Manufacturing, Couture Jewellery, Design for Society, Smart Jewellery, Smart Textiles, Active Sportswear, Bespoke Menswear, Wearable Technology, Shapewear & Seamless Garments on Computerized Knitting, Optitex for Virtual Prototyping, Design Strategy, Surface Embellishment: Digital Embroidery, Laser, 3D Printing, etc.

NIFT today has unfurled its wings throughout the expanse of the country through its 18 professionally managed campuses and provides a conducive environment to its students from different parts of the country to achieve their highest potential through the programs offered. There are seats reserved for SC, ST, OBC-Non Creamy, Gen-EWS, Persons with Disability, Foreign Nationals, SAARC, NRI, State Domicile, and Artisans children in each program. NIFT Lateral Entry Admission provides an opportunity to candidates who have completed their Diploma in relevant, related fields of Design & Technology for direct admission to the third semester of UG programs. NIFT offers three Post Graduate, and seven Undergraduate Programmes. The PG Courses are Design Space, Fashion Management Studies, and Fashion Technology. The UG courses are Accessory Design, Fashion Communication, Fashion Design, Knitwear Design, Leather Design, Textile Design, and Fashion Technology.

The Accessory Design program prepares design professionals with embedded fashion knowledge, to offer innovations across myriad platforms spanning Home office and Retail Accessories, Personal Accessories, Smart Products & Accessories, Automobile Aesthetics, Toys & Games, and Luxury & Handicraft accessories.

The Fashion Communication program is the single most cutting-edge, exciting, and increasingly essential pathway to open up in the fashion and lifestyle industry, in the ever-growing world of fashion. It opens up career avenues in the field of Space Design, Fashion Thinking, Fashion Styling, Photography, Fashion Journalism, Media and Digital Design, and Visual Communication.

Fashion Design is the flagship program of NIFT and has played an influential role in shaping the Indian fashion ethos through generations of successful entrepreneurs and designers who lead the industry through their creative and business acumen. The program focuses on Luxury and Couture, Fashion Innovation and Intuitive Clothing, Global Retail Fashion Business, Fashion Intersections Image, and Styling.

The knitwear Design Programme addresses the need for specialized design professionals for the Knitwear domain of the Fashion Apparel & Accessories industry. The Programme enables students to grow as professionals who can handle all aspects of Knitwear Fashion, right from the designing of fabric to product realization. The students acquire capabilities to work for all categories of Knitwear Apparel viz. Menswear, Women’s wear, Kids’ wear, Active or Sportswear, Leisurewear, Winter wear, Lingerie, and Intimate apparel.

The leather Design degree program of NIFT is a unique program that intends to create sector-ready Design Professionals and Design Entrepreneurs for Fashion Leather products, Luxury goods, and allied product sectors in National and International Business. With the intent to help Nation building through Design Professionals & Entrepreneurs, the curriculum of the Leather Design program of NIFT, with Design and Product Development as the core, caters to the different industry segments of the Fashion Product sector, viz. Garments, Leather Goods, Footwear, Luxury goods, and hand-crafted products.

The Textile Design program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the textile and fashion industry. Its core focus is on designing Textiles for Fashion and Living, Textiles for Innovative Applications, and Textiles for Creative Applications. From fibre to fabric, the design and development of textiles are the keys to the business of fashion. It prepares professional textile designers who can think out of the box and yet adapt to the challenging business environment for the fast-paced activities of the export and domestic sectors of the Indian apparel and home fashion industry demand.

The Fashion Technology program aims to develop industry-ready professionals who are trained to understand the fundamentals of the apparel business and to effect change to match the dynamism of the business scenario. All students are oriented toward the fashion industry, apparel production technology, pattern making and garment construction, apparel production management, apparel quality management, and introductory courses in Fashion marketing, retail management, applications of artificial intelligence, technical textiles, entrepreneurship, database management for apparel business and industrial engineering among other subjects.

The Master of Design Program caters to the multi-disciplinary and dynamic nature of job profiles that seek professionals who can work in versatile environments. Research is one of the tools that empower one to take up challenges, which may emerge in contemporary complex systems. Graduates of this program would be equipped to hold key positions in a large design, fashion, or corporate houses in the areas of Design Thinking and Research, Craft Design, Special Needs, Curation of Exhibitions & Cultural festivals as well as Educational Programs, Developmental sectors such as healthcare, sanitation, and waste management, welfare organizations, sustainable development (ESD), etc., Publication & Graphics, Media writing & design, Lifestyle Products, User Experience & User-centric design depending on the area of specialization pursued by each student.

Master of Fashion Management program develops world-class professionals in the areas of, marketing, merchandising, and retailing. It focuses to produce future entrepreneurs who are equipped with fashion products, technology, analytical and managerial skills, and knowledge with the right industry connections. Students undergo in-depth education in management, marketing, buying, merchandising (retail and export), retail operations, international marketing, international trade practices and project formulation, Entrepreneurship, and also an important aspect of the interdisciplinary aspect of fashion.

A Master’s course in Fashion Technology is a unique program of study in the field of apparel manufacturing and allied supply chain in India. The course aims to develop future-ready techno-managers / operation managers par excellence by adopting an analytical approach through research in innovative and disruptive technologies all the while focusing on life skills for developing socially and environmentally responsible professionals. The course is aimed at graduates and technologists who are looking to diversify in the field of fashion technology by providing them with domain knowledge of textile and apparel

The academic strategy of NIFT embraces internationalism. Over the years, conscious efforts have been made to increase its international visibility and standing among other reputable fashion institutes around the world. NIFT shares successful partnerships with 32 leading international fashion institutes and organizations pursuing similar academic goals. By opting for the exchange program with collaborating partner institutes, NIFT students avail a unique opportunity to integrate with the global mainstream of fashion. NIFT has a centralized placement process where Companies employ students from any campus or course of the institute. The Campus Placements provides a platform for the graduating students from various disciplines of the two years post-graduate, and four years undergraduate programs to realize their professional dreams and ambitions. The graduates of NIFT understand the nuances of fashion business spanning art, craft, technology, and strategy and have acquired the skill sets that make them adapt to the growing needs of the industry.