Photographs: Rajesh Karkera
Fashion designer Narendra Kumar speaks with rediff users about styling, careers in fashion and also dispels myths about the fashion industry
One of the most reputed fashion designers in India, Narendra Kumar joined Rediff for a chat on careers in the fashion industry.
Narendra Kumar, a graduate of National Institute of Fashion Technology (Delhi) has been in the industry for over two decades now and has worked as a consultant for stores across India and also designs fashion lines under an eponymous label.
He took questions about careers, styling and dispelled myths about the fashion industry in a chat on December 3, 2010
Narendra Kumar says, Hello! This is Narendra Kumar signing into Rediff Chat
Vimal Mallick asked, I am doing my final year Bsc FD from INIFD please advise how I should enter the industry to work under a reputed designer. Thanks
Narendra Kumar answers, It is most important that you first have a complete portfolio that showcases your talent -- this should include illustrations conceptulising ideas, constructing garments and presentation. As important today is to have good computer skills as in photo shop and corel draw inDesign etc... depending on the area you want to work in -- mass market or high end design -- these skills of great use.
MUNNIVSSHEELA asked, Hello Sir, What do you think whoes clothes is better and hot. Munni or Sheela ?
Narendra Kumar answers, both look great the only difference is Munni was covered and Sheila is uncovered :-)
yuvika asked, I am in Benaras, and want to pursue career in fashion, which is the best institute?
Narendra Kumar answers, There are three really good institutes today -- NIFT, Pearl Academy in Delhi where there is emphasis on actual industrial training and NID which has focus on conceptual design weighing heavily towards textile. Since you come from a textile city NID might be the one for you.
harion asked, what course should i do for business in fashion, i am not intested in the designing/ creative aspect?
Narendra Kumar answers, The course to do is Apparel Merchandising and Marketing at NIFT or at Institute of Apparel Management in Delhi. There is also a similar course available at Pearl Academy in Delhi.
'Find your way through dedication and perseverance'
Photographs: Uttam Ghosh
red asked, Mr.Ahmed, i am 22 yrs old guy and v much intrested in fashion industry and hav made amazing few designs which are appreciated i fear that goin in fashion industry will make me gay as all men are gays in fashion industry . bcos of this i am planning to change my profession. advice.
Narendra Kumar answers, Dear Red you are unnecessarily seeing red. I have been in the fashion industry for the last 20 years and have never found the need to be gay as a choice. i think it is more important to pursue your vision as a designer and let everything else take its own course.
sneha asked, how important is doing a course from an institute to become a fsahion designer? is it helpful or would it be better to start by assisting an established designer
Narendra Kumar answers, In today's times you need certain technical skills that are imparted in reputed institutes for you to even start a design course. the same skill takes a number of years of work to acquire which can be done in a matter of 6-8 months in a reputed institute
jeetu asked, sir how much fees it is to do fashion design course from good institute?
Narendra Kumar answers, At private institutes like INIFD, Pearl Academy and Raffles and it will cost around Rs 3-4 lakh per year. in a government institute like NIFT it will be around Rs 2 lakh per year. Please verify the figures independently
umesh asked, Is fashion industry is suitable & safe for pursuing carrer of a middle class girl
Narendra Kumar answers, Hi Umesh. I come from a middle class background myself and have found my way in the industry. the only thing you require to find your way is dedication, perseverance and an obsession.
rahul asked, Is it true you need tohave contacts to make it big in fashion industry, i am from assam and want to become a designer, but my family says my education fee will be a waste of money as after that i wont be able to make it unless i know society type people
Narendra Kumar answers, Rahul, there are many different avenues designing in this country. Not everyone designs for 'society'. you can work for retail like Pantaloons, Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop, Department stores like Globus and a number of other stores across the country. You can also work for brands like Killer, Levis etc where the opportunities are tremendous. Yes it is a bit tough in a competitive design industry but i believe talent speaks for itself as society goes towards talent and not the other way around.
'Opportunities in the industry are tremendous but so are the pressures'
Photographs: Uttam Ghosh
shereen asked, Hi narendra, may daughter wants to become a fashion model, i am not very sure if it is a safe profession, too much partying and drugs etc to make it big, is it true?
Narendra Kumar answers, Yes the influences are strong in the industry towards drugs and partying. But i do believe that it is your moral conviction that can take you through all of this. the opportunities in the modelling industry are tremendous and so are the pressures. only the tough survive and make headway in the industry. yes it does involve meeting a lot of people and how that meeting ends is a choice made by the individual.
vidhya asked, i am dark complexion, what type of colours shoul i wear and what i should avoid? i prefer indian clothes
Narendra Kumar answers, earthy indian colours work well with a dark skin. as also whites and neutrals so you need not be restricted in your palette but can experiment within this range.
newlook asked, why not famous fashion designers cloths r not available in markets?
Narendra Kumar answers, mass markets cannot accommodate prices of famous designers and it is only those designers that create pret lines with other brands that are able to reach the mass market and make it economical for both the designer as well as the consumer. Our brand -- Narendra Kumar -- is available in stores like Westside at a price that can be acceptable to a Westside consumer.
renne asked, When it comes to fashion as a career, how important is talent and how important is formal training?
Narendra Kumar answers, it is the formal training that brings focus to the talent. of course it is important that you do have talent but most of it can be learnt if you have the will and the desire.
ramanujan asked, What is the one most imp career advice would you like to give youngsters aspiring to be part of the fashion industry
Narendra Kumar answers, that you need to be obsessed with fashion. it will take you through highs and lows through your entire career, show you the way to find your goal.
'I used to sell glass bottles'
Photographs: Uttam Ghosh
ansh asked, Hi Narendra, I am doing diploma in fashion designing from Polytechnic for women,South Ex.,New Delhi. Do I have a bright future in fashion designing or only the guys from NIFT/NID can achieve success?
Narendra Kumar answers, Ansh, it really depends on the course content as compared to NIFT or NID. And after that it is about how curious you are to learn more outside the course content that will make the real difference in your career. Students coming out of NIFT or NID may not necessarily be the brightest but i have found that course content in polytech schools are not up to the high standards of education in fashion today. It would be wise to do a comparative study between your course content for a subject as against that of a recognised institute as well as the time spent on each subject during the tenure of the course.
yogita asked, What is the best perk in being a designer?
Narendra Kumar answers, The high that you get when you make something beautiful.
pari asked, i am working software professional and always wanted to become a fashion designer, but now i am a bit scared to change my profession and also it will take a longer time for me to establish in fashion industry... can you please suggest me a solution?
Narendra Kumar answers, Changing course mid-way through your career always means that you have to be patient for the new career to take shape. but the advantage that you would have is that you could bring skills that your earlier career created for you to good effect and gain quicker knowledge of the new chosen career. i used to sell glass bottles before i was a designer
varsha asked, What trends do you see being big for this winter? what colours?
Narendra Kumar answers, our market isnt really driven by colour trends. but the colour is reflected in the mood of the city or society. when it comes to women wear there has been a gradual shift towards a neutral palette for daily wear but when it comes to occasion wear any colour that you can carry off is a trend.
Indian men are slowly getting to be fashionable
Photographs: Kunal Verma
heera asked, Hi Narendra .. I am Vinita from NIFT Delhi 2007 batch passout .. from Leather Design .. I worked with two different Garment houses for last 3 years in Delhi.. I have shifted to Bangalore and looking for a job here. What would you suggest me? What are the career opportunities in Bangalore. Thanks
Narendra Kumar answers, I believe that most of the opportunity in the area of leather design are located around Chennai due to the proximity to tanneries and exporters. I am not very sure about the opportunities available in Bangalore itself apart from export houses. but leather based export houses are in Kanpur or bangalore. because the domestic market for leather apart from footwear is no great shakes.
sashi asked, Hi narendra, you think India men are fashionable? who do you think is the best dressed indian man?
Narendra Kumar answers, Indian men are slowly getting to be fashionable. Egged on by a strong interest in menswear design amongst the designer fraternity in india as well as the advent of a huge number of foreign brands in the country providing men with an opportunity to style themselves. style is an individual statement. and there are few who carry it across consistently. most of the younger generation of sportsmen, businessmen, politicians are much more in tune with fashion due to both their exposure internationally and domestically. you can choose and pick your icons.
SUDHARSHAN asked, Dear Sir, I am diploma in mechanical engineer and i am working in textile field since last 15 years. Do you have nay good job for me in fashon field?
Narendra Kumar answers, to get a job in the fashion industry you have to retrain yourself in a specific area and use the knowledge your acquired over the last 15 years to enhance your prospects. you could look at the areas of fashion marketing and textile design after you go through a fashion appreciation course.
Narendra Kumar says, Thank you folks for joining me. You can log on to my facebook page: www.facebook.com/narendrakumarfashion
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