श्रृंगार Indian Wear Collection by Srishti Chaudhary | Behance
Fashion is more than just an industry; it’s a dynamic world of creativity, business, and technology. With India’s booming fashion sector and the rise of homegrown brands, there are numerous lucrative career opportunities in fashion designing for individuals who have completed their 10+2 or hold a related degree.
If you aspire to make a mark in India’s fashion industry while securing a high-paying job, here are the top fashion designer career paths to explore!
1. Fashion Designers & Stylists
Average Salary: ₹5,00,000 – ₹50,00,000+ per annum
A traditional choice for students & graduates who are a part of fashion designer career programs, this field has proven to be one of the most sought-after and rewarding roles in the fashion and lifestyle industry. Luxury fashion houses, Indian designer labels, and retail giants such as Sabyasachi, Manish Malhotra, Fabindia, and Raymond offer high salaries to talented designers. With experience and a solid reputation, designers can start their labels or collaborate with high-end fashion events.
Career opportunities in fashion design also extend to Fashion Stylists who work for luxury magazines like Vogue, Femina, and Elle. They curate looks for individuals, photoshoots, advertising campaigns, and fashion shows. Many stylists work closely with Bollywood celebrities and major fashion magazines in India.
Deepika Padukone with her stylist Shaleena Nathani | NDTV
A trending specialization in fashion designer career paths is Costume Design. The demand for skilled costume designers is constantly rising with the country’s massive film industry, OTT platforms, theater scene, and cultural events.
From Manish Malhotra’s iconic costume designs in movies like Devdas and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham to shows like Made in Heaven and Four More Shots Please! feature high-end fashion styling, making costume design a crucial element in storytelling. Platforms like Coke Studio, T-series, Myntra, Ajio, and many small-scale brands are among the high-paying employers.
Phoebe Dynevor with costume designer Ellen Mirojnick for Bridgerton | Backstage
2. Management: Fashion Merchandiser/ E-commerce Manager & Fashion Brand Manager
Average Salary: ₹8,00,000 – ₹35,00,000+ per annum
Professionals who ensure that brands offer products aligned with market demands. They analyze consumer trends, oversee inventory management, and coordinate with designers to create commercially viable collections. With India’s rapidly growing retail and e-commerce industry, fashion merchandising is an excellent career opportunity in fashion design.
Merchandisers work closely with fashion retailers such as Myntra, Ajio, Shopper’s Stop, and Reliance Trends, making data-driven decisions on pricing, distribution, and promotions. High salaries are offered by top brands and e-commerce giants for skilled professionals.
Career opportunities in fashion design are not only about mainstream design or textiles. Recent times have created a need for Fashion brand managers/Strategists who can develop marketing strategies, oversee campaigns, and maintain the reputation of fashion brands. They work with luxury brands, retail giants, and emerging designers, ensuring the brand stays relevant and profitable. Start-up brands like Snitch, Bonkers, Soul Store, and many more are current potential employers.
3. Fashion Illustrator
Average Salary: ₹4,00,000 – ₹20,00,000+ per year
If you have a flair for digital artistry and conceptualization, then a fashion designer career as an illustrator is an exciting option. Fashion illustrators become visualizers for famous designers by creating detailed sketches of their collections before production. They work with fashion magazines, designers, and branding agencies.
In India, top illustrators collaborate with major fashion houses and media outlets. Platforms like Upwork, LinkedIn & Indeed have created a growing market for freelance fashion illustrators, expanding their horizon for creativity & business.
4. Fashion Blogger/Influencer
Average Salary: ₹5,00,000 – ₹50,00,000+ per year
Sakshi (Left) & kritika (rigth) | Instagram & Behance
If you are that ‘ Trendsetting Socialite’ in the room, this is a great career opportunity in fashion design and is quite a choice among the GenZ population. This path does not require any formal qualification, just a creative mind to create captivating content for the public.
With the rise of digital media, fashion bloggers and influencers have gained immense popularity. They create engaging content on Instagram, YouTube, and personal blogs, collaborating with brands for promotions. Successful Indian fashion influencers like Sakshi Sindhwani and Kritika Khurana (The Boho Girl) have turned blogging into a lucrative career.
5. Fashion AI Specialists
Average Salary: ₹10,00,000 – ₹40,00,000+ per annum
Techy and love fashion? You must explore this futuristic fashion designer career. AI specialists develop AI-powered design tools, create virtual try-ons, and predict fashion trends based on consumer behavior. Leading e-commerce platforms like Myntra, Ajio, and Amazon Fashion actively hire for this cutting-edge role. Digital fashion houses like DressX and The Fabricant are also offering exciting job roles in this domain.
India’s fashion industry is witnessing unprecedented growth, offering high-paying career opportunities in fashion design to individuals with creativity, business skills, and industry knowledge. Whether you aspire to design couture outfits, lead a global luxury brand in India, or become a digital fashion influencer, these careers promise financial rewards and creative fulfillment.
All in all, continuous learning, industry networking, and an entrepreneurial mindset are crucial for success. By choosing the right career path and honing your skills, you can secure a prestigious and well-paying position in India’s thriving fashion industry.
References
- https://www.dreamzone.co.in/blog/top-12-highest-paying-fashion-jobs-in-india/
- https://fashionunited.in/statistics/fashion-industry-statistics-india?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://www.indiaretailing.com/2023/03/02/iff-2023-indian-apparel-market-to-touch-135bn-by-2025-omnichannel-to-be-growth-driver/?utm_source=chatgpt.com