The changing mindset of the Indian consumer has brought about an expansion in the retail sector locally, nationally and internationally. This is likely to generate large-scale job opportunities in the near future.

With this in mind, a certificate course in fashion retail management has been designed by IIM-Ahmedabad. The areas covered in the course include overview of retail, store operations, visual merchandising, retail selling skills, inventory control, business analysis, loyalty programme, fashion product knowledge and IT, among others.

Pearl Academy of Fashion (PAF), has partnered with IIM (Ahmedabad) and Shoppers Stop to start this course. Tarun Panwar, head of department, retail, PAF, says, We would like to keep pace with the change and train people with the right skills who can direct and accelerate this growth and take retailing to the next level of evolution.

After nine months of classroom training, students would undergo a paid nine-month on-the-job training (OJT) programme at any of the Shoppers Stop outlets across the country.

The duration of the course is 18 months and there are 25 seats for the course. As to how the course will help students, Panwar elaborates that the skill-set that students acquire during this course coupled with onthe-job training will make them ready for any sales and marketing profile, even outside the retail sector.

This will help students explore sectors such as hospitality management, infrastructure management and marketing and sales, to name a few, he explains.

Source: Times of India.com

Source: Ms. Usha (PAF Faculty)

The theme of the conference was “Managing Challenges of Emerging Economies”.

The hot seat: Dr. A.K. Nair sat down to answer some questions about fashion education

How has fashion emerged as an academic discipline over the years in India?

For many years, fashion industry in India was in Cut, Make and Trim (CMT) phase, but now we have entered into creating and consuming phase. There is a high demand for highly skilled and creative professionals, which requires an advanced and updated educational system that fits the requirements of the industry.

What are the different courses that PAF offers, especially the specialised ones, and do you offer any scholarships for students?

PAF offers nine bachelors programmes in addition to Masters and diploma in Design (Fashion and Textile) and Fashion Marketing. Students who top the entrance test will get a full tuition waiver for the degree programme.

How much exposure does a candidate receive to get ready for the real world?

Fashion education is industry driven; it has to be practical experience and that is what we offer at PAF. Besides class room knowledge, PAF has made it compulsory for students to either do a project with a company under the supervision of a faculty member or participate in an exchange programme abroad in 25 universities that we have collaborations with.

How significant is the upcoming conference by the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes in Jaipur?

IFFTI conference brings together celebrated designers, style gurus and fashion educators from across the globe. It is an effective platform to network with people from the fashion industry. Leading names in fashion like Yohji Yamamoto, Romeo Gigli, Simon Lock, Jeffry Aronsson and Manish Arora will attend the event.

Source:dailymail.co.uk

The theme of the IFFTI-2012 conference, beginning on March 17, would be “Fashion beyond borders”, addressing the issues such as multi-cultural identities, virtual connections, commercial opportunities and educational responses. Pearl Academy of Fashion, which has a campus in Jaipur, will host the five-day event.

Having evolved as a significant gathering of industry shapers, the IFFTI event would attract a large number of veterans in the fashion sector. Experts such as Yohji Yamamoto, Romeo Gigli, Simon Lock, Jeffry Aronsson, Rajeev Sethi, Manish Arora, Ram Sareen and Christopher Sanderson are likely to share their thoughts and vision on the business of fashion.

According to a release quoting Pearl Academy group director A.K.G. Nair here, think tanks in design, technology and business of fashion from 35 member institutions of IFFTI – representing 19 countries – along with several enterprises and institutes from India would converge to discuss the issues and opportunities pertaining to the rapidly evolving fashion sector.

Exchange of trends

Mr. Nair said the conference would ensure a cross-border exchange of fashion ideas and trends among the industry representatives from all parts of the globe, thereby enriching all stakeholders: “Cognizant of the global interests of Indian fashion designers and manufacturers, the event provides a unique opportunity for our talents to show the world what India has to offer.”

IFFTI chairperson Satoshi Onuma said the fashion and design excellence being brought into India through the conference would place the country on the global platform of fashion education. He affirmed that the idea of fashion had “struck a universal chord” with multiple fashion events occurring across continents.

Since its inception 14 years ago, the IFFTI has grown into a comprehensive international organisation representing leading fashion higher education institutions in the areas of design, technology and business. The Foundation presently comprises 35 members from 19 countries.

The global gathering of fashion academics and designers will also deliberate on the sectors such as high fashion, textiles, home textiles, mass clothing, accessories, handicrafts, footwear and jewellery. A simultaneous agenda will highlight the experiences, challenges and opportunities that the industry visionaries foresee.
Source: The Hindu, 2nd Jan, 2012, 7pg.

The theme of the IFFTI 2012 conference will be Fashion Beyond Borders and it will address issues such as multicultural identities, virtual connections, commercial opportunities and educational responses amongst others.

The conference is scheduled to include prominent names from the fashion sector including Yohji Yamamoto, Romeo Gigli, Simon Lock, Jeffry Aronsson, Rajeev Sethi, Manish Arora, Ram, Sareen, Christopher Sanderson –drawn from all corners of the world to share their thoughts and vision on the business of fashion. Think tanks in Design, Technology and Business of fashion from 40 member institutions of IFFTI representing 19 countries, along with large enterprises and institutes from India, will converge to discuss issues and opportunities pertaining to the vibrant and rapidly evolving sector.

Speaking at the announcement of the IFFTI 2012 conference, Satoshi Onuma, Chairperson, IFFTI said “The idea of fashion has struck a universal chord with multiple fashion weeks occurring across continents. Despite these global market trends, fashion and design haven’t quite evolved as mainstream career options in India. The fashion and design excellence being brought into India through IFFTI will place India on the global platform of fashion education and change mindsets significantly.” “Last year the IFFTI conference was held in Paris, and before that, the venue was Taiwan. But the present scenario sees India emerging as one of the major producers of textile and garments, making India a suitably perfect host for the 2012 IFFTI conference”, he added.

A.K.G. Nair, Group Director, Pearl Academy of Fashion said “It’s indeed a great honor to host the prestigious 14th Annual IFFTI Conference. The IFFTI 2012 conference will have industry representatives from all parts of the globe, ensuring a cross-border exchange of fashion ideas and trends, thereby enriching all stakeholders. Cognizant of the global interests of Indian fashion designers and manufacturers, the IFFTI 2012 conference provides a unique opportunity for our talents to show the world what India has to offer.”

Source: Images fashion.com

Last date – Form submission : January 10, 2012

Eligibility:

• Graduate : any stream
• Undergraduate: min. Qualification 12th grade pass out with minimum 50% marks
• Maximum age 25 years

For more details, contact:

Pearl Academy of Fashion,

Delhi campus: Shobha Menon: 011-49807152

email: shobha@pearlacademy.com

Chennai Campus: V.S.Jithendra Call : 91 9962032230

email: jithendra@chennai.pearlacademy.com

website: www.pearlacademy.com

Source: http://www.pearlacademy.com/shoppersstop/

ITMA  has been held every four years since 1951. It is the world’s largest international textile and garment machinery exhibition, an event which is owned by CEMATEX. ITMA is recognised as the Olympics of the textile and garment machinery industry.

Source: Mr. Suranjan Lahiri (Faculty-Pearl Academy of Fashion)