The dynamic growth in the fashion industry has evolved beyond traditional roles paving way for numerous new career opportunities like sustainable fashion and styling, says Rupal Dalal
With more and more people aiming to carve a path in fashion with an ethical and sustainable twist, sustainable fashion is poised to become the career of the future. But as the world gets taken over by millennials who are driven by purpose rather than money, there is a marked shift in career ambitions.
The fashion industry is a confluence of several sectors and contrary to common perception; fashion designers play a small yet nodal role. Other sectors like manufacturing fabric, importing and exporting textiles, merchandising form the significant cogs to its working.
According to Technopak, it is envisaged that the current fashion retail market worth Rs 2,97,091 crore (US $46 billion) will grow at a promising CAGR of 9.7 per cent to reach Rs 7,48,398 crore (US $115 billion) by 2026. It is also one of the largest exporter of textiles in the world.
Moreover, Government initiatives such as Make in India have pulled global brands to establish their manufacturing units within the country. This dynamic growth has helped careers in India’s fashion industry to evolve beyond traditional roles paving way for numerous new career opportunities such as sustainable fashion and styling. The industry today needs a versatile talent pool more than evermaking role of educational institutes even more salient.
There is great potential to lead a revolution in the way the fashion industry runs and we all need to play our part in walking the ethical path to create sustainable fashion. With eminent personalities like Prince Charles and Emma Watson advocating Sustainable Fashion globally, this career path is witnessing enormous growth opportunities.
In India, too, there needs to be a sense of excitement about the groundbreaking potential of the sector among the industry influencers. Their support is essential if greater sustainability is to reach the high street.
Labels such as Rohit Bal, Masaba, Rina Dhaka, Samant Chauhan, Anupama Dayal have collaborated with the Government as well as NGO’s like Shop for Change to incorporate sustainable fabrics like Khadi their main line of work since last two to three years. Khadi is a green, sustainable, eco-friendly, zero waste and bio-degradable fabric made of pure cotton or silk yarns. Further, its production doesn’t leave behind any harmful waste leaving zero carbon footprint and making it the eco-friendliest fabric. What’s even better, it is skin friendly, making it the best choice.
Further brands such as Anokhi, Bodice by Ruchika Sachdeva not only embraces indigenous designs but also recycling and upcycling across their processes. From shopping bags to packaging and folders, brands are endeavouring to everything from left over fabrics. Increasingly homegrown as well as international brands are laying focus on ensuring that their products are made under good working conditions and with consideration to the environment and society at large.
The movement towards sustainable path has initiated in India as well. Industry platforms in India have also collaborated with the United Nations to boost the sustainable economy of the Northeast. I believe, education is an integral force in driving this.
Indian institutions providing design training need to focus on sustainable fashion as an integral part of their curriculum or even create a specialised degree in sustainable courses. This will help students with necessary technical skills and experience needed to succeed in the Industry. In particular, information related to sustainable fabrics or ingredients can prove to be very relevant for building awareness within students and helping them in a career in sustainable fashion.
There are so many useful courses that may prepare you for a sustainable career such as textile science, merchandising, design strategy, fashion and the environment. Institutes work towards finding sustainable solutions to meet the needs of the fashion industry. Recently, at The Fashion Awards 2018, one of the students have designed a garment using a biodegradable composition of vinyl which unlike other vinyl can easily be recycled. It is an environment friendly material not only because it is recycled also it helps in the preservation of environment resources as 57 per cent of the composition is made from common salt which is a renewable natural substance.
The core research and methodology is helping students to bring a purposeful and sustainable growth in the fashion Industry, hence contributing towards making our environment eco-friendly. The industry is now focusing on issues that concerns sustainability, quality, environment and marginalisation. Designers and fashion professionals can work towards finding solutions through technology, awareness and innovation.
The writer is executive director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology