India may not be the fashion capital of the world, but it is becoming the hot favorite fashion destination for fashion designers across the world. As the designer labels enter India, opportunities are galore in the sphere of fashion marketing that takes into consideration the exciting aspects of retail and wholesale fashion.
Fashion marketing is the business that moves the world's fashions from designers' showrooms to the retail floor and into the hands of consumers. Fashion marketing and management programs prepare students for a career in the retail and wholesale fashion industry. Focusing on behind-the-scenes operations, students learn the importance of production, marketing, advertising and business administration. They gain a big picture understanding of the market place and what it takes to succeed there.
In this context, through lectures from industry professionals, special field trips, projects, and internships, students gain an in-depth knowledge of the apparel industry and fashion cycles. Students should possess training in a comprehensive range of disciplines, including fashion merchandising, fashion coordination, buying and textiles, small business management, advertising techniques and marketing strategies, retail management, and visual merchandising. In the process, they can learn about everything from retail buying, window dressing and producing fashion shows to public relations and consumer behavior.
Most programs give special attention to consumer behavior and its role in dictating trends and predicting purchasing patterns. Others explore new and exciting opportunities in online retailing, electronic retailing, and catalogue development as alternatives to traditional retailing.
To respond to the needs and requirements of the different trades in fashion, technicians in fashion marketing must be versatile. The work of fashion marketers encompasses stressful situations daily, since one must attain precise objectives and satisfy demanding client. It is therefore important that future specialists learn to manage stress, acquire positive attitudes and the ability to efficiently manage time.
There are endless opportunities for students of fashion marketing and management. They can look at careers as a fashion buyer, merchandiser, event manager, fashion editor, image consultant, fashion coordinator, costume coordinator, market researcher, visual merchandiser and brand manager. One can also start an independent business.
The minimum qualification required for admission into undergraduate course in fashion marketing and management is a pass in the final examination of 10+2 system or its equivalent from any recognized board. Most institutes conduct an entrance test. Those appearing in 10+2 final or equivalent examination can also appear. Courses can be pursued at the undergraduate (three-four year's duration) and postgraduate (two years) level. Some institutes also offer one-year diploma courses.
Entrepreneurs assemble resources, including innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods. This may result in new organizations or be part of revitalizing mature ones in response to a perceived opportunity. The most obvious form of entrepreneurship is that of starting new businesses. However, in recent years, the term has been extended to include social and political forms of entrepreneurial activity.
One can become an entrepreneur by starting up his/her own business in fashion marketing and management. Today, we need people from the category, who provide jobs and not seek them. Since, the fashion industry is witnessing a very healthy growth in this contemporary time, this sector provides good returns to young entrepreneurs. But one has to be passionate about the endeavor to face hurdles in the days to come.
Job prospects in fashion marketing and management are tremendous in our country since the industry is still in its infancy. But competition is quite high as more and more students are opting for a career in this industry. The idea of a career as a fashion marketing manager might sound out of reach or overly glamorous, but the idea of success prompts many to try.
A qualified professional is able to interpret the economical scenario, anticipate and analyze changes incurring in the fashion system, can evaluate competitors' strengths and shortcomings, segment and monitor the market, choose distinctive competitive positioning that allows building the brand awareness and achieving a better performance concerning market, image and financial-economical results. The salary structure in this industry is lucrative and sky is the limit. A beginner's monthly salary ranges between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15, 000. Hence, if the aspirant is dynamic, hardworking, enthusiastic and ready to ride on a fast moving career, then this profession may be the right choice. Mid-level professionals in fashion marketing and management can expect anything between Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1, 00,000.
