Introduction to the World of Fashion

Introduction

The word fashion ignites various feelings among different people. While for some it is synonymous with luxury, for others it is about setting a statement or asserting their identity in a specific manner. Subsequently, it represents a universe for self-expression, creativity, and art for others. Even though clothing has always been an essential aspect of human society, the world of fashion has gained certain traction in the last few decades bringing it to the forefront. Considering the role it plays in world economics and the lives of individuals blending seamlessly to become a part of their identity, the fashion industry is an influential one. 

The fashion world is highly dynamic and subject to continuous evolution and innovation and remains in constant flux. Just like one cannot step into the same river twice, one can never tap into the same fashion era again unless it has been re-envisioned. Trends may return but with additions, subtractions, and an overall mark of the contemporary times. While a lot of people create niches in the industry through experience, new professional courses teaching fashion skills are being introduced every day. The shift in focus on the fashion industry from a hobby to a full-fledged and rewarding profession has led to the creation of newer work opportunities for aspirants looking forward to careers in this domain. It has also resulted in the branching of the field with designated jobs for fashion enthusiasts and the evolution of already existing career positions in the industry.  However, it is still news to the common man that the fashion world is not limited to the ramp walks and that the everyday clothing that the general populace of a place wears are a part of the fashion industry too. To convert a fabric into an outfit requires vision and skills that come to a few people. One can always learn a skill, but the vision of an artist comes innately. Thus, the people in the industry need to be highly particular, possess the ability to adapt to changing trends and work in an environment with strict deadlines. It is not about getting the job done but doing it in a way that aligns with the viewpoint of the client as well as the target audience. 

What is fashion defined as? How does it vary with geography?

As mentioned before, fashion is never stagnant. But the question is why? Fashion is the amalgamation of various factors each of which contributes to the trends in a complex way. However, it can be difficult to define fashion in exact terms. Is it a way of life, is it a cultural phenomenon, is it art or is it defined by society or is fashion a personal expression? Moreover, how is fashion different from style? To attempt to define fashion in a single definition can be constricting and reductive. However, a foundational understanding can be that any trend that is currently followed by the majority of people in a city becomes the fashion of that place. Besides clothing; accessories, makeup, lifestyle, and footwear, all comprise the parasol of fashion.

The motto of the twenty-first century states that anything that one finds themselves comfortable wearing is a fashion statement. However, it is ironic that in today’s world,  one's sense of being comfortable also comes from popular culture. Especially the films, paintings, and music that are famous become the trends of the time. For example, after the commercial success of the Bollywood film, Jab We Met, the black Afghani suit donned by Kareena Kapoor's character in a song, led to the surge in popularity of the afghani dressing style with a bodycon top trend in India. 

Geographical location, too, plays a determining factor in the fashion world. For example, while American society has grown more comfortable with jeans and skirts, sarees and lehengas are worn by Indian women at family events. From Kimonos (Silk Robes from the Wu dynasty) in Japan to Hanboks in South Korea, a lot of Asian countries value their traditional wear tremendously. Moreover, the climatic conditions also affect the fashion sense of the citizens. For example, an individual in Hawaii would prefer light cotton clothing given the hot weather but Alaska would demand multiple layers for an individual to wear to survive.

However, the fashion industry is not untouched by the pros and cons of globalization. Especially after the arrival of the internet, the industry is on its way to being universalised. A white dress at a Christian wedding is normative but the color white is inauspicious in Hindu weddings. Fashion is largely influenced by the religious, cultural and social features of a community. Modern trends in fashion have sought to revitalize the culturally dominant ideas of fashion with a modern perspective to create designs that challenge dominant points of view and bravely experiment and innovate. The cyclicality of trends is a testament to the creative potential of the industry. A polka dots pattern is no more only meant for the 1960s Hindi film industry actresses, it has evolved to acquire a status of retro look and carved its own niche in the contemporary times. 

Insight into the fashion Industry. 

No doubt creativity and talent are a must to succeed in this field. However, the industry is massive and individuals with a knack for business have equal chances of building a career in this field. Not only does it provide exposure to celebrity culture, but it can also be a powerful tool to make a social statement. Uniforms in schools are a reminder of each student's equality before education irrespective of the students' backgrounds and incomes. Che Guevara t-shirts, widely popular among college students in India who try to flaunt their leftist ideas with these T-shirts, are also a sign of hope for better futures. 

Nevertheless, one must be aware of the current trends in order to market anything in this industry. Not only marketing but there is also an abundance of job profiles in this field. A few of them are described below:

1. Fashion Designer: This hallmark job in the industry is a highly coveted and competitive one. It examines one’s skill to condense an idea into a tactile and visual form of clothes. One's ability to transform clothes is not enough, one must have a keen eye for textures, lines, form, colors, patterns, and other basic elements of fashion to create a holistic design that communicates its original idea. A fashion designer must aim to design, create, or visualize pieces of clothing congruent with their vision or the needs of the hours. 

2. Modeling: Modeling is a thrilling career with alluring faces and beautiful frames showcasing the works of art designed by fashion designers. Although given the drive for body positivity in modern times, it is refreshing to witness various body types being represented. Brands such as Eloquii or ASOS have won people over with their authentically body positive content. In the race for being more diverse and inclusive, the most recent player has been Victoria’s Secret with its rebranding initiative.  

3. Fashion Marketing and Merchandising: The next step of business after the creation of the pieces of clothes is the marketing, campaigning, and merchandising of the finished products. Marketing in fashion is a doubly complex process given that the individual must not only understand the tricks of the trade, but also the history of fashion trends and their current needs. In order for a deal to be successful, merchandisers buy clothes from the fashion shows to be merchandised and sold in the market through retailers. A very famous marketing gimmick in the fashion world is promoting the product as exclusive so that more and more people want to buy them to fit in a certain social group. 

Career in Fashion

Building a career in fashion can be daunting. It is a field notorious for being highly competitive and demanding. A career in fashion is a difficult one that requires diligent hard work and dedication without expecting proportionate success, especially at the beginning of the career. One needs to be highly self-motivated and focused to follow through the beginning patch of the industry. One might argue that it stays true for most professions but one needs to understand that the world of fashion is a bumpy road. On the other hand, if one is dedicated, it can prove to be the most exciting and thrilling aspect of their life. The important thing is to identify your interests and wishes. If it is fashion, you must apply to one of the courses and begin formal training. We believe that the following courses can be a good start to entering the fashion industry in India:

• Bachelor of Fashion Design (BDes)
• Bachelor of Art
• Bachelor of Fashion Technology 
• Diploma in Fashion Design.

We realize that experience is of utmost importance in the creative fields but one must not underestimate these courses still. One can only experiment when they are aware of the previous trends and norms in the field and thus, we recommend that aspirants conduct their own research before venturing into the field and certainly avail the learning opportunities available to them.