Fashion design is the applied art dedicated to clothing and lifestyle created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time. Fashion designing is one of the most sought after career options in today's dynamic world. People in todays world, especially youths have their own unique style of dressing and they believe in setting a trend rather than following a trend set by others. And Nepal is not an exception. The changes that have come in the lifestyles of Nepalese population have made Nepali fashion world more complex and alluring. The global fashion industry also had an impact on Nepalese people. They have gone more conscious on what they where and how.
Fashion designing is the most important area of work in the fashion industry. fashion designing is more concerned with creating designs for clothing and apparels. Designing involves creating original designs after studying the changing trends of the market. Designers analyze fashion trends and work closely with production, marketing, and sales departments to design, produce, and promote a finished, ready-to-wear products for apparel manufacturers, specialty and retail stores, and individual clients. It has various fields of specialization like garments, footwear, jewellery and even luggage. It is a challenging field as it requires the coordination of various jobs. Like a designer should have knowledge and experience of basic tailoring skills i.e. cutting, sewing, draping, etc along with it he should also have a good knowledge of fabrics and their quality, good sketching capability and exceptional creative talent.
There are no specific academic requirements for professional courses in Fashion Designing, however, candidates who have cleared the 10+2 exam are eligible for the diploma/certificate courses. And for the postgraduate diploma courses, you need to be a graduate. Some of the local institutes also offer 3 - 5 months crash courses in designing which doesn't require any academic requirements as such. But, bear in mind that school is not the only requirement that you need to satisfy in order to land good job offers. Although educational background is a deciding factor for employers, applicants must also possesses good qualities in order to be efficient with their jobs. A good fashion designer should be artistic and creative. They should be able to express their ideas in sketches. They may not be a brilliant artists but must be able to combine colours, shades, and tones. Designers have the flair for creating with fabric and know how to use textiles effectively. Designers need to have visual imagination and the ability to think in three-dimension to translate into garments what they visualize.
The fashion institutes across the world have a standard coursework which
includes the following major areas of study:
> Sewing and tailoring
>
Textiles and colors
> Pattern making
> Fashion history
>
Computer-aided designs and
> various types and designs of clothing
JOB PROSPECT
With the influence of western culture in the Nepalese
lifestyles, the Nepalese fashion industry is ever expanding and so is the
prospects of job for fresh graduates of Fashion designing. However, job
competition is expected to be tougher as more people are attracted to the
glitz and glamour of the fashion industry. Though Nepal has not yet been able
to host any big international fashion events or shows, the mushrooming
boutiques in the country projects the inherent possibility of fashion business
in Nepal. A fashion designer can work in a number of settings. He can pursue a
career in big fashion firms, retail stores, costume design department, or
apparel wholesales. Those interested in a career in fashion designing can also
become entrepreneurs and form their own companies.
In the international market a fashion designer can work on multiple of positions. He/she can work as costume designer, fashion consultant, personal stylist, production pattern maker, fashion coordinator, apparel production manager, fabric buyer, fabric quality control manager, illustrator, cutting assistant and outside sales representative in this industry. And if you target only the Nepalese market you wont be disappointed. There are myriad of positions that you can work in.
Some of them are:
> Fashion Designer
> Fashion Stylist (for
movies. Events etc…)
> Fashion Illustrator
> Fashion
Merchandiser (in export houses, garment industries etc….)
> Costume
Designer
> Print Designer
> Fashion Instructor (in
Colleges/Institutes…)
SALARY:
Students are attracted to pursue a career in the fashion
industry because of the lucrative income opportunities it offers. The best bet
for a beginner is to get associated with an established designer or design
house, and begin work as a trainee designer. Remuneration mainly depends on
the company or boutique where one is working and the personal ability, skill
and the experience he/she has. A fresh graduate as a trainee can earn with in
a range of NRs 5,000 to NRs.15,000 a month. For those who are extremely
talented, this can rise to NRs.20,000 - NRs. 50,000. And designers with
greater experience and name in the industry can earn even higher.
Institutes offering Fashion Design classes as follows:
- Bachelor of
Fashion Design (BFD) at Namuna College of Fashion Technology, Bansbari,
01-4377897
- Fashion Designing Training at INIFD, Lazimpat, Kathmandu,
4435957, 4437892
- Fashion Designing Training at IEC School Of Art &
Fashion, Bagbazar, Kathmandu, 01-4247475, 01-42475
