From Sabyasachi to Versace, every designer has a unique style that makes them stand out from the rest. If you are dreaming of owning a label someday, there are many fashion design courses around you to help you pursue your passion.
Fashion design is the art of designing clothing and other fashion accessories which are aesthetically and visually pleasing. It is considered one of the most glamorous jobs in the world.
A fashion design course helps you to learn the fundamentals of fashion designing, from basics to advanced. These courses; help a student to learn the artwork behind some of the masterpieces of the world's top designers and practically enable them to prepare for the fashion industry.
Scope of fashion design courses
The fashion industry is steadily growing, and the opportunities it offers are infinite. With the globalization and rise of e-commerce business, anybody around the world can get their hands on global trends.
According to Statista, the market value of textile and apparel across India in 2020 was 106 billion U.S. dollars. And this value was estimated to reach 190 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.
The advantage of being in this field is that the scope is not just restricted to a country. But, one can pursue their fashion journey abroad with the years of experience and talent they have.
How to apply for the course?
Any 12th graduate in the science/arts/commerce stream can apply for the undergraduate course in fashion designing. To meet the eligibility criteria for a postgraduate program in fashion design, one should have a bachelor's degree in fashion design. Students can also apply for one-year diploma courses after 10th grade.
To enroll in one of the top institutes of the country, one has to clear the entrance test of the respective institute. Some of the best institutes in the country are the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID), Pearl Academy, Symbiosis Institute of Design. These institutes conduct entrance examinations every year where thousands of young aspirants appear for the exams.
The total course fee varies from 4.5 lakhs to 20 lakhs. Merit-based scholarships are offered to students upto 4-6 lakhs in NIFT.
The rise in online fashion design courses
Online fashion designing courses are self-paced, and you can attend from the comforts of home. Such courses teach you from basics to advanced level in lesser time with lesser fee.
During the pandemic, there was a rise in enrollment in online fashion design courses. Students and working professionals have started focusing on honing their skills through these online courses. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) for the fashion design course at MyCaptain has been 80 constantly.
With direct exposure from fashion experts and a specially curated curriculum, one can explore the industry and begin their career in fashion. Anybody without a degree in fashion can also enroll in one of the fashion design courses online.
Offline v/s online fashion design courses
1. Admission procedure
When joining an institute, one has to go through many stages like filling the application form, clearing the entrance test, waiting for results and more. Meanwhile, the online courses require only your general information, and you can make the payment online.
2. Cost and duration
Getting a degree from top institutes takes 3-4 years at a higher fee while you can get the course completion certificate online by spending less money and time. Online fashion design courses can range from 2500 INR to 50,000 INR.
3. Communication
There is direct contact between the student and the mentor, while there can be a delay in their communication in the online mode of teaching.
4. Accessibility
There is no limit to the accessibility of study materials in online courses while it's time-consuming to get all the materials in one place when you are studying offline.
Both online and offline courses provide a wide variety of options and opportunities in professional paths. One can start as a trainee or become an entrepreneur to turn their dream into reality.
Career Opportunities
Fashion design is one of the highest-paying industries and every day it keeps expanding to newer horizons. Hence, a career in fashion design is very diverse and challenging.
On completing your course, you can work at different job profiles in fashion houses, E-commerce fashion companies, fashion magazines, or become an entrepreneur by opening up your own boutique or starting a fashion blog.
Check out some of the interesting careers below that you can opt for once you complete the course.
1. Fashion designer
A fashion designer does not need an introduction. They can create a revolution with their vision and ideas. They take care of everything, from sketching to choosing patterns to styling and executing them.
2. Stylist
A stylist's job profile is pretty glam and challenging at the same time. Stylists use their talents and ideas to style a person according to their taste, preferences, and body type. A stylist takes care of the overall look of a person from top to bottom, including the makeup.
3. Creative director
They are the brains behind beautiful magazine campaigns. A creative director takes the lead in planning the visuals to communicate them with different departments like art, costume, camera, PR. They should have a strong background in design direction and management.
4. Buyer
A fashion buyer collaborates with brands and decides which all items of clothing and accessories are appealing to their store or clients. They directly work with the merchandisers, brand manufacturers and have contacts with people from the fashion industry.
5. Influencer
With the popularity of social media rising, influencers are also using such platforms to create their fashion content, present it to the world and inspire others. Popular influencers get to collaborate with brands and be part of their campaign.
With opportunities arising every day, the fashion industry is opening up the path for many fashion aspirants. Choosing the right course can help you decide whether you want to pursue your career in the same field or not.
