From Sketches to Runway: My Fashion Design Experience at IIFD Kolkata

The dream of fashion design is in everyone's heart, especially for those who are creative and want to express their ideas through clothes. For me too, fashion designing is not just a passion but a journey which I started at the Indian Institute of Fashion and Design (IIFD), Kolkata. Today I will share with you my experience, which I learnt while doing a fashion designing course at IIFD Kolkata.

First Step - The Fun of Making Sketches

Everything starts with sketches. When I sat down to make design sketches for the first time, my hand was a little hesitant. But the teachers here supported me so much that I started putting my ideas on paper confidently. At IIFD Kolkata, we are taught drawing and sketching from basic to advanced levels, so that we can bring our imagination into reality.

Creativity is given importance here, and teachers encourage each student to develop their own unique style. My sketches gradually started improving, and I started visualizing my designs realistically.

Fabric Selection and Design Process

Fashion designing is not just limited to sketches. At IIFD Kolkata, we are also taught fabric selection and textile knowledge very well. It is very important to understand that the texture, weight, and feel of every fabric are different and how they affect our design. In the practical sessions of the teachers, we touch and feel the fabrics and understand which fabrics are best for which design.

An important part of the design process is garment construction. Here we are also taught the basic skills of stitching, cutting, and pattern making. By learning all this, we are able to make our designs physically, which is very important for a designer.

Use of Technology – Digital Design

In today’s era, technology is used in every field, and fashion design is no different. At IIFD Kolkata, we are taught the latest design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and CAD (Computer-Aided Design). This allows us to convert our sketches into digital form and enhance our designs with 3D visualization.

These skills make me industry-ready as digital design is in great demand in today’s fashion world.

Practical Exposure – Fashion Shows and Workshops

The best part of IIFD Kolkata is its practical exposure. We students get to participate in regular fashion shows, exhibitions, and workshops. I also showcased my designs on the runway in my first fashion show, which was an unforgettable experience for me. It builds confidence and helps me understand the real-world challenges of the industry.

In workshops, we meet industry experts who have real experience. In these sessions, we also learn about the latest fashion trends, marketing, and branding.

Internship & Placement Opportunities

The internship is very important in the fashion design field. IIFD Kolkata has strong industry tie-ups where students get internships in reputed fashion houses. I too did an internship in the studio of a famous designer, where I learnt every step of the design process practically.

The placement cell helps students with interview preparation, resume building, and portfolio making. This makes it very smooth to start a career.

Personal Growth and Creative Confidence

My journey at IIFD Kolkata was not limited to just designing skills, my personality also developed a lot. Here I learned to do teamwork, meet deadlines, and present my ideas confidently. These skills are very useful in life as well as in the fashion industry. Being part of a reputed fashion designing college in Kolkata, like IIFD, gave me the right environment to grow both creatively and professionally.

Conclusion 

If you too want to make a career in fashion designing, then IIFD Kolkata is the perfect place to start your journey. Its courses, faculty, infrastructure, and industry exposure all help you to become a successful fashion designer.

From simple sketches to the grand runway, my experience at IIFD Kolkata has been very inspiring and rewarding. You too take a step forward to turn your dream into reality and study fashion designing from IFD Kolkata.