19 July,2011 10:06 AM IST | | Sheetal Sukhija
While we are in the fifth edition of the Bangalore Fashion Week this year, many students graduating from city institutes are lamenting the fact that they have to payu00a0 huge amounts to participate in the fashion week. MiD DAY does a reality check
u00a0
The ramp is being set and the curtains are about to rise as the fifth edition of the Bangalore Fashion Week is coming up at the end of this month. This year a platform will be provided for the gen next designers and many young graduates are vying to showcase at the BFW. However after investing an amount ofu00a0 nearly R 5 lakhs to complete a course in Fashion Designing, these students are expected to pay anywhere between R 60,000 to 3 lakhs, just to participate in the fashion week.
With very few opportunities available for these graduates, every year 2,500 such graduates from fashion designing courses in the city are left disappointed and jobless. The lack of opportunities for them to explore their creativity while earning a decent salary has led to many students switching courses or taking up unpaid internships.u00a0
Only in theory?
While many senior designers believe that the quality of education imparted at city design schools is not up to the mark, institute heads beg to differ. The battle ground has more than enough students bearing the scars of an industry where growth is quite slow and challenges are limited.
Anil Hosmani, who graduated in 2009 and launched his label believes the real battle has just begun. "Even at the end of graduation, many students are clueless about what aspect of designing impresses them. Most institutes impart theoretical knowledge, so when I stepped into the industry, I had to start from scratch.
There are very few placements and money starts flowing in only after years of working in the business," says Anil. Another graduate, Huda Khan, from the JD Institute of Fashion, believes that the industry is vast, but opportunities are rare. "There are a lot of streams to choose from, but it all depends on perspective. There is product, apparel, accessories, shoe and bag design and merchandizing and marketing too. However, initially it is going to be hard to grow and leave an impact," says Huda.
Glamour tempts 'em all
Meanwhile, industry experts believe that the fashion scenario in the city still has a long way to go, before it matches up to the Mumbai and Delhi fashion industries. Noted designer Manoviraj Khosla believes that most students are tempted by the glamour angle.
"Many students believe the industry is glamorous and even after completing a course, they have no knowledge of design. Some of them do not even know how to cut a fabric. There are only a handful of good designers in the city, which means job opportunities are rare. Besides a big concern here is the kind of faculty hired at these institutes. How qualified are these teachers to impart knowledge about the fashion industry?," asks Khosla.
Arguing against this, Neleash Dalal, Managing Trustee of the JD Institute of Fashion claims that fashion education in Bangalore institutes has improved. "We take only about 20 students and train them to become the best. These students showcase their collections and are then handpicked by the best in the industry," claims Dalal.
Chairman of Vogue Institute of Fashion, MS Kariappa agrees. "The industry is expanding and we are working on providing better placements. Besides once the theory is learnt, practical education will follow," he says.
Meanwhile young designers can either train under established names, pump in money and launch their own label or showcase at the Bangalore Fashion Week. "We have a slot for newcomers who are willing to feature. They need to enroll by paying anywhere between R 60,000 to 3 lakhs, based on their presentation," says Feroz Khan, creative director, Dream Merchants (organizer of BFW).
But after investing R 5 lakhs just to complete their course, not many students can participate in a fashion week to make a mark. "Participating in a fashion week is not the way to go. New entrants first need to understand the industry and then showcase," believes designer Namrata G.
Whether the industry will expand and provide more opportunities for new comers in the coming years is still being debated. Meanwhile students are knocking the doors of each fashion house to find a place where they can showcase their talent.
Bangalore Fashion Week starts from July 28 at Crowne Plaza, Electronic City
Manoviraj Khosla,
Fashion Designer
"The industry is not just about glamour, students need to know what they are getting into. There are only a couple of colleges that produce good students each year. There are many 'bogus' colleges and students coming out of these are of no consequence. Only those really interested in making a career in fashion can make a mark."
Namrata G, Fashion Designer
"There is a huge gap between the industry and young graduates. Not everyone gets a big break. The fashion education imparted has diluted over the years and only the best can survive. It is important for senior designers to step up and provide graduates with opportunities."
Michelle Sallins, Fashion Designer
"Some portfolios that come in from young graduates are disastrous, others display some potential. Training under a senior designer can help as even we sometimes need some fresh opinion. Practical knowledge in this industry counts more than just a degree from a good college."
u00a0
Rahul Dev Shetty, Fashion Choreographer
"Only a handful of graduating students show some serious potential and although there are opportunities, the student needs to display something that is cutting edge to leave a lasting impact."
u00a0
Anu Nagappa, Fashion Designer
"Any person hoping to make it big in a creative field like ours needs to wait it out and get hands on experience. Opportunities are opening up in Bangalore and in a few years there would be great openings that would come up."
