The centres function at 39 centres, including Bangalore, Chennai, Dharmapuri, Gundlapochampally (Andhra Pradesh), Hyderabad, Kolar, Perambalur (Tamil Nadu), Tirupur, Thiruvananthapuram and Tumkur.

*Apeejay Institute of Design, 54, Tughlaqabad Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110 062

*National Institute of Fashion Design, Chandigarh - 160 009

*Wigan and Leigh College, Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110 019

*J.D. Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi - 110 016

*Polytechnic for Women, South Extension Part - I, New Delhi - 110 049

*VNF Institute of Fashion Designing, Matunga (E), Mumbai - 400 019

*Polytechnic for Women, A3, South Extension Part I, Ring Road, New Delhi - 110 049

*International Institute of Fashion Technology, H-12, South Extension Part I, New Delhi - 110 049

*The Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology, Mohali - 160 055
NIFT programmes

The premier institution in this field is the National Institute of Fashion Technology operating at various centres in the country. In order to get a clear picture of the academic programmes in the discipline let us look at some of the NIFT courses. a)B.F.Tech. - design:

Those who have 10+2 qualification in any stream are eligible for admission to these four-year programmes. Courses are offered in fashion design, leather design, accessory design, textile design, knitwear design and fashion communication.

b)B.F.Tech. - technology: Those who have 10+ 2 qualification with mathematics, physics and chemistry as optional subjects are eligible for admission to the bachelor programme in apparel production.

NIFT also offers two-year Master's programmes in design, management and technology.
Curriculum

Fashion design: Fashion illustration; fashion studies; elements of textiles; pattern making; surface development techniques; garment construction; different activities in the apparel industry; production techniques and strategies; and research and development. The course trains students to work as designers, freelance design consultants, stylists, organisers of fashion trend forums, costume designers, illustrators and entrepreneurs.

Leather design: The contents are in general similar to those of fashion design, but there is a focus on leather. Tannery training and industrial internship are important elements of the curriculum. This programme equips students with skills for a wide range of careers in the leather industry, in the areas of product development, merchandising, manufacturing, quality assurance, retail and so on. The entrepreneurial skills imparted will enable the candidates to set up manufacturing units.

Accessory design: The curriculum comprises integrated expertise in design methodology; materials and production process; consumer behaviour and market dynamics; trends and forecast interpretations; and business practices and project management in the field of fashion and lifestyle accessories.

Specialisation is available in --

a)Personal and interior accessories (Home accessories; luxury products; leisure products; lighting and lighting fixtures; garden seating; bathroom, kitchen accessories and utensils; leisure accessories; switches; door knobs; toys and children's products; and architectural accessories)

b)Corporate and business accessories (Office accessories; restaurant and hotel accessories; perfume packaging; open office systems and computer furniture; filing systems; cell-phones; watches and timepieces; eye-gears; cosmetic kits; i-pod and CD holders; souvenirs; trophies and medals; and visual merchandising for retail business environments)

c)Footwear and "carriables" (Sports and formal footwear; luxury and fashion bags; travel accessories and luggage bags; small personal goods like wallets, pouches, key holders and card holders; and fashion gloves, hats, belts, and so on using a range of materials such as leather, micro-fibres, PVC, Lycra mixed fabrics)

d)Jewellery and precious products (Precious jewellery; costume jewellery; silverware; giftware using precious metals and precious stones)

e)Interior products and handcrafted accessories (Home, kitchen, bar and bathroom accessories; office accessories; and packaging solutions, including handicrafts using materials like metal, glass, wood, leather, ceramic, acrylic, natural fibres and mixed media)

f)Home and fashion accessories (Luxury products for home in personal and interactive spaces using rich materials and techniques; fashion accessories enhancing the body using new age materials; and costume accessorisation for performing arts, theatre, cinema and so on.)
Continuing education

The institute conducts a variety of continuing education programmes of short durations such as 12 or six months or even less. Some of these courses suitable for those having 10 + 2 qualification are:

*12-month programmes --

Fashion and clothing technology

Fashion integration for apparel industry

Visual merchandising for fashion

Fashion accessories and handicraft development

Footwear designing and production technology

Jewellery design and development

Jewellery design and technology

Fashion knitwear and production technology

Textile design and technology

*6-month programmes --

Design process and portfolio development, Fashion coordination for the apparel industry

Industrial pattern making for fashion apparel

Foundation of design for fashion

Leather goods designing and production technology

Marketing and merchandising for footwear and leather products (MFLP)

Visual merchandising and retail store design, Industrial pattern making.