IKON
The late Wendell Rodricks was a renowned fashion designer based in Goa and one of the leading fashion designers in India. In 2014, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, its fourth-highest civilian award.
Rodricks was the first Indian designer invited to IGEDO, the world’s largest garment fair, and the first Indian designer to open Dubai Fashion Week. Living in Colvale village in North Goa, Rodricks gained a reputation since 1993 for consistently delivering creative collections each fashion season. He described it as a remarkable feat to influence national fashion trends while residing in a small village.
Rodricks dedicated three years to researching the history of Goan costumes and interned at the National Museum of Costume and Fashion in Lisbon, as well as the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
He was also critical of efforts to make beauty pageants “more in line with our culture” and spoke out against what he called a xenophobic attitude toward simple fundraising events that were deemed “not part of our culture.” Rodricks also designed the packaging for four new flavors of POLO for Nestlé India Ltd.
What is the Job all about?
Branding is king. Whether it’s shoes, swimwear, innerwear, jewelry, handbags, or more, marketing branded products has become an art form. Brands like Wrangler, Dockers, Rockport, Nike, and Reebok are now household names. TV, newspapers, fashion shows, and sporting events—particularly those featuring Bollywood stars and sports personalities—are all geared toward enhancing brand appeal.
Fashion has always played a central role in the social world. Bollywood demands new ideas, television seeks the latest trends, shoppers want fresh styles at the click of a button, and closer to home, we have regular weddings, parties, nightclubs, and more. People not only want to look their best but also to wear something new, trendy, and unique that stands out.
Fashions are in three segments:
1. Clothing
2. Bags and Shoes
3. Jewellery
Can I Go for It?
If you can fulfill the need of the discerning Customer and design something Special, you could go for Fashion Designing. Effective Design, co-ordination of Colours and, matching Accessories; is what this Career is all about.
As Wendell says if a person living in a village can set the fashion world on fire then why not you?
Is There a Future in This Field?
The most important requirement is creativity, along with a strong sense of modern trends—or even creating new ones. Creativity is key. This skill develops through extensive reading, understanding fabrics, and mastering techniques that bring your designs to life. If you can do this, you could soon become one of the leading designers in Goa or even the country.
Where to Begin
In Goa:
After Standard X
• Garment Technology at the Government Polytechnic, Panaji.
• Dress Designing (Vocational Program) offered by various higher secondary schools in Goa.
• The International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD) has a branch in Porvorim, Goa, with its headquarters in Pune. It offers degree programs affiliated with Annamalai University. NIFT too plan to open a branch in Goa soon.
• JD Institute of Fashion Technology in Panjim (recognized by Goa University) offers a degree program: B.Sc. in Fashion Technology & Apparel Design, and B.Sc. in Interior Design; and after Standard XII:
• Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design
• Post Graduate Program in Fashion Design & Business Management (2 years)
• Several one-year programs in Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Jewelry Design
More details on the JD Institute website: https://www.jdinstitute.edu.in/design-colleges-in-goa/
Outside Goa
After 10 +2
• National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) –https://www.nift.ac.in
NIFT offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. With 15 centers across India, it is a prominent institute in fashion education. IIFT and Pearl Academy also have campuses, primarily in North India.
At NIFT, around 20,000 students compete for 2,600 seats. The entrance test consists of two parts: the General Ability Test (GAT), which assesses Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability, and General Knowledge, and the Creative Ability Test (CAT), which gauges students’ creativity. Approximately 6,000 students are shortlisted based on GAT/CAT scores, and in the final test, students are asked to dress a model using provided materials. NIFT also conducts campus interviews at the end of the program. Over 80% of students secure campus placements, with an average starting salary of around INR 2.75 lakhs per annum.
• Retail Opportunities
After branding, the next big opportunity lies in retail. Leading Indian and international retailers like Wal-Mart, IKEA, Tata, Reliance, and Pantaloon are major players. The retail sector in India is expanding rapidly; according to the Global Retail Development Index 2012, India ranks fifth among the top 30 emerging retail markets.
• Footwear and Design Institute (FDDI) – https://www.fddiindia.com
The Government-run FDDI offers several programs, including:
MBA in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management
5-Year Integrated Program in Retail Management (BBA + MBA)
Specialized programs in footwear design and production, such as MBA (Footwear Design & Production Management), M.Des. (Creative Design & CAD/CAM), and B.Des. in Leather Goods & Accessories Design. This includes training in creating leather jackets, handbags, and other accessories.
• Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT) – https://www.iiftbangalore.com
IIFT offers an MBA program focusing on international business.
• Pearl Academy, New Delhi (Branches in Mumbai, Noida, Jaipur) – https://www.pearlacademy.com
Pearl Academy (a private institute) has graduate programs tailored to specific disciplines, such as Fashion Marketing & Retail Management, Fashion Styling & Image Design, Fashion Media Communication, and Luxury Brand Management.
Selection Criteria
As with every major institute, the admission criteria are rigorous. However, with proper preparation for the test, you could make the grade. You will also need to bring your portfolio (recent designs you have created) for evaluation.
Institutes offering related programs include:
• Srishti School of Art & Design, Bengaluru – www.srishtimanipalinstitute.in
• SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai – www.sndt.ac.in
• Wigan & Leigh College, Mumbai (British program in India)
• Sophia BK Somani Polytechnic, Mumbai – www.sophiapolytechnic.com
There are, of course, many other institutes across India, though they may be spread out, which can make attending them more challenging.
Related Courses: Jewelry, Footwear, Merchandising
If you’re interested in branching out, consider specialized fields like Footwear Design, Jewelry Design, or Merchandising—the art of marketing and selling clothes you design. These fields are also very engaging, so if you feel drawn to them instead of clothing design, you could consider building a career in these specialty areas.
Employment Avenues
Boutiques and designer houses are always on the lookout for fresh talent. With a few years of experience, you could even start your own venture (see chapter on Own Business).
Earnings
There is tremendous scope for the right talent.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: October 2024