Fashion today is more than just an approach to clothing; it is also a means of self-expression and a way to show one’s sense of personal style and be comfortable in it. The fashion business has never been more eclectic and inclusive owing to the trending athleisure, co-ord sets, unisex style, and sustainable fashion. India has a rich legacy of traditional clothing and numerous wearing styles, and fashion has always played a significant role in shaping the country’s cultural identity. Indians have a long history of being looked upon for their sense of design and fashion, dating back to the Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro civilizations. With significant development potential and growing digital disruption, India is currently a crucial market for the global fashion industry. Today, India is home to some of the biggest fashion brands in the world, including Manish Malhotra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. As the fashion sector continues to evolve and expand, it’s an exciting time for fashion enthusiasts to explore and be a part of this vibrant industry by pursuing relevant fashion programs. Modern education has witnessed a surge in students pursuing unconventional courses like fashion and styling programs rather than traditional degrees. If you are someone who is an avid fashion geek and looks forward to entering the fashion industry, there’s no better time to gear up. Read on to know the top 5 fashion programs that you may want to enroll yourself in to find your true calling in the fashion industry.

“India is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, and Indian fashion is a beautiful representation of that diversity.” – Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

Fashion Designing Programs

The multibillion-dollar fashion sector fuels the world economy and offers prospects for employment to millions of people worldwide. Additionally, the sector has a significant impact on culture and society since it creates trends and alters how people view beauty and fashion. The accepted advent of streetwear, unisex fashion, and sustainable outfits has brought attention to the importance of fashion in contemporary life. Fashion courses are more popular than ever because they give students the understanding and skills they need to thrive in the field. The fashion industry in India has been booming substantially thanks to the rise of several homegrown companies and designers who have become well-known in the country as well as abroad.

“Indian fashion has always been about celebrating our rich cultural heritage and embracing modernity at the same time.” – Manish Malhotra

A fashion design program is ideal for someone who is interested in innovative patterns and garment designs. Fashion design programs include intensive instruction in fashion illustration, patternmaking, technical drawing, garment manufacturing, computer-aided design, and industry-leading software. Fashion design programs train students how to make distinctive designs, such as pattern-making, draping, and sewing. As an aspiring fashion designer, you may select from various courses like B.Des (Bachelor of Design), B.FTech (Bachelor of Fashion Technology), diploma courses, and postgraduate diploma courses. 
Graduates can pursue a variety of lucrative professional professions in the fashion design area, including becoming trailblazing designers, executives in the garment industry, textile specialists, and even design teachers.

Top schools to pursue a course in Fashion Design include:
1. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
2. Pearl Academy
3. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York, USA
4. London College of Fashion, London, UK
5. Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium

Fashion Marketing and Management Courses

Modern fashion business entities are looking out to staff themselves with specialists who comprehend both the creative and commercial aspects of the industry since it has grown to be extremely competitive and fast-paced. This is where fashion marketing and management come into play.

The art and science of advertising fashion items and services to a specific target market is known as fashion marketing. A fashion marketing degree focuses on branding, promotion, and retail operations. Fashion marketing degree programs, often known as fashion merchandising, are offered at the associate’s and bachelor’s degree levels, while certificate programs that focus on the foundations of fashion and retail buying are also available. Fashion, retail, and marketing are the three core themes of traditional fashion marketing programs. During the course of your study, you could look at topics including color theory, microeconomics, textiles, merchandising math, imports and exports, fashion history, retailing, fashion design, management, sales, financial accounting, textiles, apparel analysis, and business law. Graduates can pursue specialized roles in fashion marketing, such as fashion marketing manager/director. 

Top schools to pursue a course in Fashion Marketing and Management include:
1. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
2. Pearl Academy
3. Esmod International, Paris
4. Fashion Design Institut, Düsseldorf
5. Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London

Fashion Journalism Programs

“Fashion is a form of self-expression, and it allows you to create your own identity.” – Nonita Kalra [Former editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar India ]

Fashion journalism is a vibrant sector that bridges the gap between fashion enthusiasts and business insiders and has a huge impact on the fashion industry. The advent of fashion magazines, the rise of digital media, the inclusion of ethnic fashion, and the coverage of sustainable fashion have all contributed to the tremendous growth of fashion journalism in India in recent years. Numerous fashion periodicals, including Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Grazia, have emerged in India in recent years, offering in-depth coverage of the most recent trends, collections, and business news. Additionally, fashion writers in India have begun to cover these themes extensively in light of the rising concern about sustainability and ethical fashion, showcasing eco-friendly clothing companies and sustainable fashion practises. The field of fashion journalism has broadened as a result of the development of digital media, and there is an increasing need for qualified experts in this area. BA in Fashion Journalism, B.Des in Fashion Communication, BA Hons in Mass Communication and Journalism, MA in Fashion Communication, etc are a few of the top programs in this area. Lucrative job options, such as those for fashion writers, editors, critics, and freelance journalists, are open to anyone with a degree in fashion journalism.

Top schools to pursue a course in Fashion Journalism include:
1. The New School, New York
2. Istituto Marangoni, Milan
3. University of the Arts, Philadelphia
4. Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM)
5. Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC)

Fashion Styling Courses

Fashion styling is a quintessential not only for Bollywood but also for top business leaders and eminent public figures who are consistently in the spotlight. Their airport, brunch, or gym looks must always exude a certain panache and set trends as they are continually under the paparazzi’s intense scrutiny. Fashion stylists thus play a pivotal role ensuring that these personalities constantly exude their natural sense of fashion and individuality with flair and charisma.

“Indian fashion is a reflection of who we are as a nation. It’s diverse, colourful, and full of life.” – Masaba Gupta

A degree in fashion styling offers career opportunities in styling for various fashion events. This program imparts skills for producing and directing fashion films, lookbooks, e-commerce, fashion shows, and print and online publications. It includes courses in business styling, design, personal shopping, and image makeovers. Fashion stylists require a diverse skill set to create fashion pictures for magazines, brands, and production companies, and this is developed through such courses. Students can pursue various undergraduate, graduate, certificate, and diploma programs in fashion styling. Graduates can secure diverse roles such as fashion illustrators, trend analysts, design coordinators, and photo stylists in the fashion industry.

Top schools to pursue a course in Fashion styling include:
1. Amity School of Fashion Technology (ASFT)
2. Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI)
3. Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp, Belgium
4. Instituto Europeo di Design (IED), Barcelona, Spain
5. École supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode (ESMOD), Paris, France

Fashion Photography Programs

Fashion photography, which blends art, fashion, and photography, is a fascinating and vivacious field of study. Fashion photography has become a crucial component of the nation’s fashion industry as a consequence of the growth of social media and online shopping. Fashion photographers collaborate with businesses, designers, and models to produce eye-catching photos that highlight the latest trends in fashion and looks. They are in charge of producing aesthetically attractive and powerful photographs that effectively convey the core of a brand’s identity and vision. 

The goal of a fashion photography course is to educate you on the business of fashion photography while also assisting you in the development of your technical and creative abilities. Learning a fashion photography course will help you gain knowledge of lighting, composition, editing, and other photographic techniques. There are several levels of fashion photography courses available, including diplomas, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. PG Diploma in Professional Photography, BSc in Film and Photography, and Diploma in Fashion Photography are a few of the well-liked courses. Fashion photography offers a variety of specialization options, including product advertising, beauty point-of-purchase displays, and the use of fashion and beauty products in advertisements. You may follow a variety of intriguing job options with a degree in fashion photography, including those in advertising agencies, clothing catalogs, self-employment, fashion studios, and more. fashion school graduates.

Top schools to pursue a course in Fashion photography include:
1. International Center of Photography, USA
2. Istituto Marangoni, Milan, Italy
3. Paris College of Art, France
4. FX School, Mumbai
5. J.D. Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi