Scope of Fashion Designing in India
When it comes to choosing courses after 12th, students have a myriad of options these days. Back in the day, the options were pretty limited. However, today, based on a student’s interests, there are several avenues they can explore. The scope of fashion designing in India is growing steadily. All credit goes to India’s rich cultural heritage, textile traditions, increasing disposable income of the people and a digital economy. Fashion designing as a career isn’t going anywhere. It’s definitely here to stay. Earlier, fashion designers were only restricted to designing garments. Today, the spectrum is broader. The world of fashion designing doesn’t only entail designing, it also involves sourcing, sewing and marketing. And today, there are speciality fashion designers. For example, those who only focus on making organic, sustainable garments.
Current & Future Potential of Fashion Designing as a Career in India
Industry Size
The Indian fashion industry is a rapidly growing sector. In the year 2022, it was valued at US$ 102.8 billion. By 2032, it is likely to reach US$ 146.3 billion. A lot of factors have fuelled this growth. People of all age groups have become more fashion conscious. This rise can also be attributed to ecommerce. A few sub segments that are rapidly growing are apparel, accessories, footwear, textiles and luxury goods. In the fiscal year of 2024, India’s textile and apparel exports reached US$ 35.9 billion. India is one of the top textile and garment exporters globally.
Growing Demand for Designer Apparel
Earlier, branded and designer apparel was something only the elite could afford. However, since the last decade, nobody wants to be left behind. The significant growth in India’s fashion industry is due to the rising disposable income of the middle class. Even people from tier 2 cities have adopted modern lifestyles which has led to the growth of contemporary fashion. Social media has also propelled this growth. The festive and wedding market in India is growing steadily. The demand for ethnic wear, bridal couture and traditional clothing is booming. Keeping this in mind, there is no better time than now to pursue a career in fashion designing. Designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Manish Malhotra have put India on the global fashion map. For ethnic apparel particularly, people across the globe are choosing Indian designers.
Vast Career Opportunities
Pursuing a course in fashion designing presents multiple career paths. Based on your interests and skill set, you can choose from various options. Let’s look at some of the most popular choices students are making these days. As mentioned at the start of this blog, fashion designing has changed over a period of time. Today, when it comes to making career choices, students choose between traditional roles or modern roles. The popular career paths which everybody knows about are – fashion designer, textile designer, costume designer (TV, Films), fashion illustrator, pattern maker, and so on. However, Gen Z and millennials don’t want to be restricted when it comes to making career choices. Thus, a few new-age career paths in the world of fashion have emerged. Some of them include fashion blogger, fashion influencer, fashion stylist, fashion merchandiser, fashion marketer, fashion entrepreneur and sustainable fashion expert. Thanks to India’s retail boom, the opportunities have grown tremendously in fashion merchandising and ecommerce.
Growing Number of Fashion Institutes
The scope of fashion designing in India can also be attributed to the growing number of institutes in the country. Some of the best design institutes in India play a vital role in nurturing talent. They offer specialised courses in fashion design, apparel design, textile design, accessory design, and so on. Besides offering hands-on education and practical training, these institutes also offer industry exposure in the form of placement opportunities with reputed fashion houses, designers, and brands.
Promising Work Sectors
After completing a fashion design course, there are various avenues and work sectors a professional can explore. They can explore opportunities in design houses and studios, film & entertainment industry, export houses, textile and handloom industry, and more.
In Conclusion
In India, the scope of fashion designing has always been great and is only going to increase in the years to come. If you have a creative inclination and a knack to learn, nobody can stop you from making a significant mark in the world of fashion. To start, you need to enrol yourself in a private design college in India. The right exposure and fashion portfolio can help you build a high-paying and influential career.
