Fashion students speak of their experiences in the apparel industry
Fashion design education was formally introduced to the country by Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT) in the year 2000, nurturing young fashion designers to communicate their talent of art and science through clothing and to focus on their future careers. LIFT continues to support their graduates in future successes. It is important for a student to get to know the real working environment of their future careers. Students who are in their final year taking up internships at various companies share their experiences.
“After concluding my Advanced diploma at Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology, I was offered an immediate internship at MAS Intimates Rathmalana for a period of 3 months which commenced on the 16th of August 2012. I was initially recruited as a design /in-plant trainee” for the department of GAP/ SOMA. Throughout my apprenticeship I was skillfully trained in the field of “Designing”, which included a close study of illustrator and photo shop. I was also educated on the system of “mass production” where I visited several bulk producing factories such as “Slimline” in Pannala and also “Unichela” in Panadura, where I was able to clearly analyze the production process of many brands including GAP, Soma, Victoria’s secret, PINK, Marks and Spencer, Lulu Lemon, La Senza, Etc; and also got the opportunity to indulge myself in the ‘Stitching’ process at the training school in Pannala.
I was also given the solitary opportunity to design a set of ‘T-shirts’ for an awareness project that was an external task assigned by a foreign customer.
On the second month of my internship I was given the opportunity to work with the brand ’Victoria’s Secret Direct” (VSD) for a short period, where I was introduced to “embellishing” garments. There, I was given the chance to work towards a much anticipated, high profile customer visit together with other senior designers where a few of my embellishment samples were chosen for display. My internship however is to conclude on the 15th of November 2012, and hence I’m looking forward to take up more challenging opportunities in the near future to come.”
Aliya Mohomad
“Being a student of LIFT, I obtained the opportunity for an internship at Brandix Essentials LTD, Ratmalana. Through this internship I obtained a vast knowledge including basic pattern making for intimate garments, style development and pattern grading by using Gerber system, garment construction, knowledge about the types of threads and fabrics used for intimate garments. In addition, I designed and constructed a sample garment under the guidance of the instructor”. Theja Siriwardena “I am final year student of the Advanced Diploma in Fashion Designing at Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology. I was given the opportunity to participate in an internship of three weeks at LIFT Designer Wear to acquire experience on the fashion industry in Sri Lanka. During the internship, the initial task on schedule during the first two days was to develop ten designs for an office wear category. Three designs out of the ten were selected for manufacturing. Drafting the patterns for the selected designs was accomplished within the following three days. During the second and third weeks of the internship, I sampled three selected designs which were taken in to production there after. Throughout the internship, I was guided on drafting and grading patterns in to various sizes. In addi- tion, I received good guidance on different techniques and the art of handling various types of fabrics. I consider the internship at LIFT Designer Wear as a great opportunity for my future as a fashion designer. ” Dhananji Jayakody “I Danuja B Pilai is presently following my Advanced Diploma in Fashion Designing at Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology. In order to proceed with the final year, it is required to undergo a three weeks internship in the apparel industry. For which I was given the opportunity to work as an intern at MAS Design, Ratmalana. Here I underwent various trainings on techniques that were unique to MAS products and also I was given the opportunity to work as an assistant to a designer of an international sports label. The experience and knowledge I had received from my internship has helped me to continue my course with a new perspective. It has taught me how important it is to understand the industry and its objectives in achieving the required goal”. Danuja Pilai LIFT offers full time courses in fashion design, textiles for fashion, Footwear & Accessory design and part time courses in Fashion Marketing, foundation in art and design and the Diploma in Fashion Design. All courses delivered locally and leads to BA(Hons) Degrees to complete the final year in the United Kingdom. These courses lead students to reach global careers. Many designers trained under LIFT have reached careers in international brands in Sri Lanka and overseas. LIFT offers courses for school leavers of O/L’s and A/L’s and also offers Saturday part time study for working individuals. For more details visit No.87, Horton Place, Colombo -07 or call 2681848 / 2681870. Web: www.lift.