FASHION FORWARD

Those studying fashion design need to be creative, innovative and collaborative says Nandita Abraham, CEO, Pearl Academy

Nandita Abraham, CEO, Pearl Academy, on how fashion design education can bring in a change

In 2001, Nandita Abraham joined Pearl Academy as faculty member in the School of Creative Business. Cut to now, she is CEO and the academy has grown into a premier design institute with 4,263 students and four campuses. Over the years, Abraham has forged many alliances, such as the Pearl Academy-Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) collaboration and expansion with the Mumbai centre and the Rajouri Garden campus. As member of the FICCI Higher Education Committee, CII National Committee on Design and Executive Committee, IFFTI (International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes), few people understand better than her the importance of international collaboration, employability and innovative projects.

HOW HAS DESIGN EDUCATION EVOLVED IN INDIA? HAS IT NOT DEEPENED THE DIVIDE BETWEEN ART AND CRAFT?

Design has been integral to India for centuries, but has only evolved as its own discipline in the last 50-odd years, and even back then it was largely referencing design movements from the West. However, in the last decade with the support of design education, Indian design has taken on a

new identity. It’s still forming and evolving, but it’s neither drawing too much from the West, nor from our heritage past. I don’t think it has deepened the divide between art and craft; rather it has brought them closer together because we’re not propping up craft and vernacular art artificially. We’re learning from art and craft and evolving new hybrids, new models and new techniques.

TEXTILES ARE A HUGE INDUSTRY WHICH CAN CREATE JOBS. WHAT ARE THE THINGS WE NEED TO CHANGE IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TO MAXIMISE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES?

The world is undergoing a technological revolution which is changing the way we live, learn, work and communicate. Changes in the textile sector are socially significant as it is helping in creating jobs and also eradicating poverty in small towns and cities. In order to change our education system, it is important to include more industry projects in our curriculum to keep the learners updated. This will provide an understanding of new innovations in techniques and materials. Interdisciplinary learning should be incorporated within curriculum to make learners understand the application of textiles techniques and material in various industries such as product design, fashion design, interior design, jewellery design and accessory design. Research-based learning must be integrated with industry so that students can analyse the industry problems and provide practical solutions to it. Understanding of global practices must be included to make learners aware of seamless extension of textiles across borders. The course should provide holistic understanding of the mainstream industry and the craft sector.

WHAT ARE THE SKILLS STUDENTS NEED TO LEARN IN A FLAT WORLD WHERE INTERNET HAS COLLAPSED GEOGRAPHICAL BORDERS AND MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE ‘MADE IN INDIA’ BRAND TO DO WELL GLOBALLY?

We need to help our students develop high level of skills such as creativity, innovativeness, analytical capacity, understanding of the market, global mindset, collaborative approach towards work in order to improve their overall competitiveness. Such qualities need to be infused throughout their educational journey. For this, we need to create a positive learning environment. It is important to connect school learnings with the best practices of the 21st century.

WHAT ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE FASHION WORLD AND WHAT STUDENTS NEED TO DO?

There are enough opportunities for innovation for entrepreneurs in the fashion world. Young entrepreneurs through their new business models can take the fashion industry to the next level. Fashion brand managers today are dynamic individuals who understand the vocabulary of creative designers as well as the need of consumers. There are instances where the young generation is innovating family business from manufacturing of jeans to fashion accessories for men. Students need the right skills, acumen and awareness of the latest movements and trends to become successful entrepreneurs.

SCHOOL LEARNINGS SHOULD BE CONNECTED WITH THE BEST PRACTICES OF THE 21ST CENTURY