Set up in 1986, National Institute of Fashion Technology is the pioneering institute of fashion education in the country and has been in the vanguard of providing a professional human resource to the textile and apparel industry. It was made a statutory institute in 2006 by an Act of the Indian Parliament with the President of India as ‘Visitor’ and has full-fledged campuses all across the country. Over the years NIFT has also been working as a knowledge service provider to the Union and State governments in the area of design development and positioning of handlooms and handicrafts. NIFT has been devoted to sustainable design innovation and promotes conscious consumerism in young minds for a better tomorrow.
Our founder Mr KD Sharma were welcomed by National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai as a guest lecturer on September 25, 2020. The students were currently pursuing their Master's of Design or Fashion Management were from diverse backgrounds and different lookouts regarding the momentum in the Industry. The session included interaction with students upon their role, responsibility and scope in the sustainable fashion and textile industry. The interaction deepened into the power of textile in the global economy, compliance of ethical sourcing for sustainable fashion, examples and challenges of sourcing, sourcing communication channel - RFQ & RFI, new innovations in the sustainable fashion industry and many more. We also exercised a breakout session with students to work out on the sourcing elements for any product chosen by them. The session was an amalgamation of experience and new creative minds, pulling out innovative steps and solutions from the vigorous discussion.
Students found this interactive session very helpful especially on topics regarding sourcing and communication channels involved in the value chain of manufacturing, also on the term Sustainability/ Sustainable fashion and the major activities involved in this field at a global market perspective and how it is important to understand the need of sustainability in every step of the way as reported by the coordinator.
Quoting Shanmugha Priya for the success of the session, "NIFT provides various opportunities to work with various craft clusters around India, being a student with similar exposure I was able to connect with the Vision / Mission of DESCAT(UK) as a brand who is creating waves of hope and strength for the various handicraft society and by protecting the pure talents which have been passed down for generations. The act of promoting sustainability in the rural economy is a great lesson for the students of NIFT who can incorporate more for the brand they get committed to in future."
We would like to thank Ms Akanksha Nautiyal, Assistant Professor, NIFT Mumbai, who brought us this opportunity, to interact with young minds. We would also like to thank Mr Siddhant Sharma, PGP student, Indian Institute of Management, Raipur for his assistance in preparation. Shanmugha Priya, student, NIFT Mumbai, helped with all management and smooth communication, thanks for lending your helping hand.
Wishing the Institution and the students great luck and success.