The fashion industry is, undoubtedly, one of the biggest industries all over the world right now. Because we choose to actively express ourselves through our clothing, the fashion industry strives to be an industry that almost never has its dull moments. Oftentimes, it’s not even just about the profitability of the industry, but rather, about that passion for fashion. And, if you’ve got it in you and are wondering which field you’d like to be in, you’ve reached the right place. For an industry as big as fashion, there is a wide array of fields under it. While every fashion profession comes with its own set of perks and cons, for us, two of the most prominent ones are fashion design and fashion technology. Today, we’ll be diving into all things fashion technology!
In a way, fashion technology is closely related to fashion design. It is described as the field that primarily focuses on the study of fabric types and suitability. It deals with examining various kinds of fabrics and then choosing the appropriate one for the final product. It shares many similarities with fashion design, particularly in the study of design and aesthetics but just with a more technical inclination. A career in fashion technology is more like a tool to improvise fashion that is ethical, sustainable and profitable. This is only possible when you push the traditional way of thinking out of the head and create avenues for technology and fashion design.
What Can You Do After a Career in Fashion Technology?
As the definition of fashion technology suggests, fashion technologists are commonly known as clothing/textile technologists who work with fabrics. They study a variety of them, both man-made and natural fibres, including but not limited to leather, fur, metals, and plastics. They also source fabrics or textiles that are fit for various purposes and carry out quality control tests. Basically, they work on the development of products and improving production efficiency and quality, while also developing connections with those involved in the production process.
Here is a list of the most common tasks that they do:
1. Developing manmade fibres and quality assessing natural fibres.
2. Spinning fibres into yarn and knitting or weaving yarn into fabrics.
3. Producing non-woven materials.
4. Identifying the latest fabric trends, developments, and innovations.
5. Ensuring quality in areas such as strength, durability, colorfastness, and water and chemical
resistance.
6. Connecting with designers and adapting designs to suit production methods.
7. Undertaking quality evaluations of materials and of the final product.
8. Responding to product queries, including complaints from wholesalers and
customers.
9. Developing chemicals that may be added to fabrics so as to make them more
waterproof, flame-resistant, or shrink-resistant.
10. Experimenting with textiles to improve their look, feel, and durability.
Source: Vox
How to Get Started
There are various options out there for anyone who wants to pursue a fashion technology course. As a final year student of 10+2 from a recognized board in the science stream, B.F Tech (Bachelors of Fashion technology) is the best undergraduate course you can opt for. You can also give an examination for BBA in designing or merchandising. Additionally, you can also do an MBA in designing or merchandising. Textile designing is another popular course in the field of glamour. It offers innumerable employment opportunities to individuals with a knack for all things fashion.
Top Fashion Technology Institutes in India
- NIFT, Hyderabad
- NIFT, Delhi
- NIFT, Mumbai
Top Fashion Technology Institutes in the World
- RMIT University, Australia
- London College of Fashion, United Kingdom
- International Fashion Academy, Paris
Curriculum for Fashion Technology
The curriculum for fashion technology will vary from school to school. But to some extent, all schools do share a few common course subjects. They are as follows:
1. Apparel Production Planning and Control 2. Fabric Manufacturing 3. Fashion Illustration 4. Garment Construction 5. Industrial Engineering in Apparel Industry 6. Design Concepts 7. Fashion Accessories and Costumes 8. Fashion Model Drawing 9. Textiles 10. Knitting Technology
Scope of a Career in Fashion Technology
Now, let’s talk about the next step after you study fashion technology. What kind of a fashion job can you take up? What will suit your vision the best? Here are some of the top career choices after graduation for you!
Branded Fashion Houses Here, fashion technologists accumulate their design and technical aptitude to consult on problems faced by branded fashion houses. They constantly evaluate and tend to innovate processes and mechanisms in the design and manufacture of products.
Event Management Companies Fashion technologists also work in event management companies to assess the specific demand of people engrossed in the events industry. They consult on various issues that plague the industry, such as changing clothes during performances, etc.
Fashion Magazines Fashion technologists find a place in fashion magazines as writers and journalists, editors and photographers. Their attention to detail and technical acumen in fashion comes in handy for analysis.
Television and Film Industry Fashion technologists work in the film and television industry to understand trends and innovate processes of garment design and production in the industry. Some also specialize in custom and luxury designs, suitable for actors and actresses.
Boutiques
Fashion technologists work in boutiques to evaluate and innovate processes of designing and innovation in design and production.
Retail Chains Fashion technologists work in the retail sector, to analyse trends and do market research to understand the taste, preferences and needs of the customers for their design requirements.
What is the Right Fit For You?
As you can see, both fashion design and fashion technology overlap a few similarities but diverge in a few differences. If we have to choose which one is better, we might choose fashion technology, simply because it covers a lot more. It may focus more on the technical side of fashion but it does also touch on the designing part. In other words, fashion technology will allow you to become fashion designers, but fashion design won’t allow you to become fashion technologists.
At the same time, even though fashion technology covers a wider range of studies, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right fit for you. At the end of the day, the choice will boil down to your preferences and goals. Sure, you’re interested in fashion, but what aspect of fashion are you really interested in? In terms of fashion, are you more creative or are you more technical?
Answering that question should help you in your dilemma. They’re both still under the industry of fashion, a field that you’re passionate about. No matter what you’ll choose in the end, you will still get to live your fashion dream.
Read more about Fashion Technology Career on Pinterest.