IKON
Wendell Rodricks is a well known fashion designer based in Goa. He is one of the best fashion Designers in India. In 2014, Government of India conferred upon him its fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri.
Rodricks was the first India designer to be invited to IGEDO (the world’s largest garment fair); and the first Indian designer to open the Dubai Fashion Week. Rodricks lives in Colvale village of North Goa and since 1993 he has gained the reputation for sending out creative collections for each fashion season. He has argued that it is a remarkable feat for a designer who despite living in a small village can still manage to direct the fashion trend for the country.
Rodricks has researched the theme of the history of the Goan costume for three years and interned at National Museum of Costume and Fashion in Lisbon and the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.
The Goa-based fashion designer is critical of attempts to make beauty pageants “more in line with our culture” and what he has termed a xenophobic attitude to even simple fund-raising events which are “not part of our culture”. Rodricks recently designed the packaging of the four new flavors of POLO for Nestle India Ltd.
What is the Job all about?
Branding is King. Be it shoes, swim wear, inner wear, Jewellery, hand bags etc. Marketing branded products has turned into an art form. Wrangler, Dockers, Rockport, Nike, Reebok, are household names. TV, newspapers, Fashion Shows, Sporting events, are youth directed events, especially since Bollywood stars and Sporting personalities are pulled in to maximise the Brand effect.
Fashions have and will always be a part of the Social world. Bollywood is screaming for new ideas, Television wants the latest in fashions, Shoppers want new styles at the flick of a button, and nearer home there are the regular weddings, parties, night clubs etc. We want to look not only our very best, but also want to wear something very new and trendy preferably something that no one else wears.
Fashions are in three segments:
Clothing
Bags / Shoes
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, to be creative with a strong sense of ‘modern trends’ or even creating a ‘new trend’. Creativity is the name of the Game. This comes with a lot of reading, understanding fabric, and methods which can be mobilized for the design you have in mind. If you can do this, you will soon be one of the lead Designers in Goa / Country.
Where to Begin
In Goa
After Standard X
Garment Technology at the Government Polytechnic, Panaji.
Dress Designing (Vocational Program) run by various Higher Secondary Schools in Goa.
The Inter – national Institute of fashion Design (INIFD) has a branch in Porvorim Goa with its HQ in Pune. It offers Degree Programs affiliated to Annamalai University. It is rumoured that NIFT will soon start a branch in Goa.
JD Institute of Fashion Technology Panjim (recognized by Goa University) a Degree Program : Bsc in Fashion Technology & Apparel Design, BSc in Interior Design.
After 10+2.
They have an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design
They also have an Post Graduate program in Fashion Design & Business management 2 years.
And many 1 year programs in Fashion Design/Interior design and Jewellery
https://www.jdinstitute.edu.in/jd-goa-campus/
Outside Goa
After 10 +2
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT). http://www.nift.ac.in/
They have a Post Graduate Program as well.
These schools offer an MBA and a Masters degree in various disciplines. NIFT http://www.nift.ac.in has 15 centres all over India. IIFT and Pearl are currently spread in North India .
At NIFT for instance, some 20,000 students vie for 2600 seats. The entrance Test consists of two sections the GAT or General Ability Test ( This consists of Communication Ability, English Comprehension, Analytical Ability and GK). The second test is the Creative Ability Test (CAT) this gauges the creative and innovative streak of potential students . 6000 students are shortlisted based on GAT/CAT and then in the final test, the students are asked to dress a model based on the material given.
NIFT have campus interviews towards the end of the program. Over 80 % of students are offered campus placements and the salary on an average is around 2.75 lakhs per annum.
After marketing the branded products the next big aspect is Retailing. Both Indian& International retailers like Wal-Mart, IKEA, Tata, Reliance, Pantaloon are among the top players.
The Retail Sector in India is growing at a phenomenal pace. According to the Global Retail Development Index 2012, India ranks fifth among the top 30 emerging markets for Retail.
The Government runs the FDDI or The Footwear and Design Institute . http://www.fddiindia.com
They run several programs i.e. MBA (Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management)and the 5 Year Integrated Programme Retail Management (BBA + MBA) They also have footwear speciality programs viz. MBA (Footwear Design & Production Management), M.Des. (Creative Design & CAD/CAM), B.Des (Footwear Design & Production Management); plus Leather Goods & accessories programs B.Des. (Leather Goods & Accessories Design) – which include training in making leather Jackets, hand bags and other accessories.
Indian Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT). http://www.iift.edu/new/
They also have an MBA program on doing business Internationally.
Pearl Academy, New Delhi.( Branches in Mumbai, Noida, & Jaipur)Fashion schools in the country have taken up the challenge to meet the needs of The Pearl Academy (Private Institute) in Delhi have graduate programs in specific disciplines e.g. Fashion Marketing & Retail Management, Fashion Styling & Image Design, Fashion Media Communication, Luxury Brands Management.
Selection Criteria
Naturally, like every major Institute, the criteria for admissions are quite tough. But, if you prepare yourself well for this Test, then you could make the Grade. You would have to carry along with you, your portfolio (designs you have created in the recent past).
Srishti School of Art & Design – Bengaluru ( www.srishtibir.org)
The SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai – www.sndt.edu)
The British Program runs in India by Wigan & Leigh, at Mumbai (www.wiganindia.org)
Sophia BK Somani Polytechnic, Mumbai.
There are off course, many other Institutes – but they are spread in other parts of India, which may make it difficult for you.
Related Courses: Jewellery, Footwear, Merchandising
You can also, if you so wish, decide to go for designing of Footwear or Jewellery. Or you can decide to go for a course in Merchandising – i.e. How to market/sell clothes designed by you. All these related areas are also very interesting and, if you feel you have a flair for these, instead of designing clothes, then you could think of making your Career in these specialty areas.
Employment avenues
Boutiques, Designer Houses are always on the look out for fresh talent. Perhaps after a couple of years after gaining experience, you could launch out on your own (See Chapter on Own Business)
Money
Tremendous scope for the right talent.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/