Fashion is what you wear and it goes beyond clothes. Hairstyle, makeup, footwear, lifestyle, body posture and accessories are important fashion elements. Apart from being a thriving global industry, fashion enjoys its place among the work of the arts.

The fashion industry is a steadily growing sector that is bound to prosper with improving connectivity and technological advancements around the world. Exciting opportunities lie ahead for you if you are looking at it as a career option. But, what are the steps to success? What do you need to know before you start your professional journey in the fashion industry?

You can start your professional journey with an internship in the fashion industry. The internship will give you exposure, in-depth practical knowledge and an understanding of the field. Read this article to learn from the internship experiences of a young fashion enthusiast.

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Vaneesri Kaul Tyagi, NIFT Jodhpur

It was a joint effort of my grandparents, parents and classmates who saw my interests in drawing and design and guided me to become a fashion designer. I prepared for NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology), as well as NATA (National Aptitude Test In Architecture) and wrote the examinations for both including JEE Mains .

I chose NIFT because I felt that is where I could channel my creative capabilities to their fullest and also have the freedom to express my ideas into reality. My first internship was with a big jewellery brand. They were responsible for designing jewellery for H&M, Zara and other leading brands.

During my internship, I was a part of a major fashion event. Normally we start preparing for such big events almost six months or one year in advance, but this event allowed us just 20 days to prepare. The deadline was tight, 40 garments in 20 days! We had to plan, prepare for everything and execute ideas for a major designer brand in such a short period.

The team, including the senior designers, was very supportive. Every single person involved, the managers, the senior designers, interns, graphic designers, the tailors and the craftsmen contributed to the success of the event. Everyone was just amazing in their role. The brand owner/head designer was always on his toes. He demanded the best out of his team. He was relentless in his pursuit of perfection. He would go through 10 different concepts, one after the other and we had to make changes in the plan mid-way. At times it was exasperating in order on a good show, we did our best.

One of the most important things I learnt here is that sometimes it is necessary to separate yourself from the work. When you are in the creative field, with a team, you need to understand what the brand requires from you. Your ideas matter, but the final goal is the success of the brand or the idea that you’re working for. I learnt to appreciate others perspectives, desire to strive for perfection and give my best at all times.

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Fashion designing is a very demanding field. Things and ideas may keep changing and you have got to take these changes in your stride and keep going. You have to be passionate and be ready to work crazy hours at work and in college.

Before you choose your firm or design house for an internship, do your background research. Ask your faculties, seniors or those who have worked with that particular brand before to understand the work culture there. Make sure that you get a stipend for all the efforts that you put in.

Creative fields demand commitment and hard work beyond the usual shift hour. In order to maintain the balance between work and life and enjoy your work, choose the right firm and work with a team that is able to harness and polish your creative side.

An internship experience helps you to understand the pros and avoid the cons. Your passion will help you go through the toil and emerge successful. Be ready to work hard, be a team player, respect others' opinions, and experiment with your style while you work, learn and grow.