Do you need a degree in fashion to work in the fashion industry?

Four creatives in fashion tell us why creativity and persistence needs to be backed up by a formal degree and hands-on experience

Pursuing a career in the creative arts comes with its fair share of challenges, especially in fashion, which hasn’t always been welcoming. Besides, getting a specialised degree or jumpstarting your label requires a small fortune. But times have changed. We now live in a world that espouses the democratisation of fashion—a world that allows creatives to embrace new ideas, careers, and experiences bolstered in part by the proliferation of social media. Fashion enthusiasts can now attend virtual masterclasses from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to venture into non-traditional streams within the industry and pursuing alternative career options like becoming a content creator or a social media manager. The pertinent question here is—is a degree in fashion necessary to find financial growth and stability to work in the industry? We ask the experts to weigh in. 

The value of a specialised education

As a young creative looking to pursue a career in fashion, honing your interests and skills is imperative. "A fashion education is important for design or merchandising, perhaps where technical skills are required. But there are other avenues in fashion to pursue if you're willing to learn," says Butool Jamal, a senior fashion journalist. Jamal's writing career in fashion journalism started in 2010, without a prior degree or education in the field. "I studied history (from the University of Warwick), which entailed a lot of reading, research, and writing—skills that were important for a fashion journalist. My first job was with Elle (India), where I joined as a writer. A stint at a fashion magazine has been my best fashion education," she says. 

Designer Vaishali Shadangule believes getting a specialised degree in fashion is a much easier way to start out. "A degree in fashion studies is a pre-requisite to landing a job in the industry," says Shadangule, the first Indian designer to represent the country at Paris Couture Week in 2021.

"Fashion in India is always evolving, directly competing with the fashion industry globally. So, it's important to get your fundamentals right, which only a specialised fashion degree can offer. For example, you must know the fundamentals of patternmaking or draping, which will give you the knowledge you need to develop a 3D collection. But fashion education is also important to incorporate lesser technical skills such as creating without following specific frames and getting back to less structured processes," she adds.

Shadangule comes from a non-fashion background, having specialised in information technology before she decided to pursue fashion. "I loved styling friends and clients till one day, one of them encouraged me to set up a small shop to start making my garments. That one small shop soon mushroomed to six, making me realise I needed a formal education in fashion to better my craft. I did my master's in fashion in New Delhi and further studies in Milan," she says. Starting my creative journey without a formal degree helped me nurture my creativity without mind structures, which has evolved into a strength of mine. For sure, a formal education in the discipline gave me additional skills and strengthened others, which are necessary when competing at fashion weeks both nationally and internationally," adds Shadangule, who first presented at Lakmé Fashion Week during her master's in the Capital. 

Like Shadangule, Bhavisha Dave, the co-founder of Capsul—India's multi-brand streetwear store, firmly believes in obtaining a formal degree in your area of interest before diving head-first into the actual work. "I'm a believer in both a good education and work experience. Education can be formal or informal, but in the case of fashion, it is absolutely vital. On-the-job learning helps you build a social and professional network that comes in handy before starting in the industry," says Dave, who did her MBA in engineering before landing a job with PUMA. "The brand [PUMA] was always style-first, more fashion-oriented. I've always gravitated towards a more streetwear aesthetic, so my stint at PUMA was a natural fit, which then helped me start Capsul," she adds.

For designer Punit Balana, working in a creative field is more about gaining practical experience, something a specialised degree does not offer entirely. When it comes to fashion, practical knowledge is more important than a formal education. When you are exposed to an environment that lets you experience fashion first-hand, it helps you navigate the fashion industry better. "Anyone can study fashion, but what makes a difference is how you apply this knowledge practically," says Balana, who, despite having no formal education in fashion, has showcased collections at various fashion weeks and boasts clients like Vidya Balan, Karisma Kapoor, and Kajol. "Whatever I know about fashion is rooted in practical knowledge. What has helped me is my deep understanding of garment construction, embroidery techniques, and printing techniques," says the Jaipur-born designer.

Rocky road

As glamorous as it may look to anyone looking in from the outside, the fashion industry comes with its fair share of challenges—from landing an internship to building relationships with brands, designers, and other creatives in this field. 

“I face challenges daily, but I like to face them head-on. It’s important to learn how to adapt. Whether improving my technique or educating myself to create something new, it’s an opportunity to do something significantly better,” says Balana. Shadangule concurs. “Being in the [fashion] industry has taught me many things. The goal? To learn more. There is no limit to what you can do if you’re willing to work for it,” she says.

For Dave, setting up a streetwear store and navigating a lesser-explored streetwear subculture in India was daunting. “Building awareness of streetwear and brands was and continues to be, the biggest challenge. India is a status-driven society, and the larger shopping audience isn’t yet aware of streetwear and the brands we curate. In my opinion, this is a good problem, and we work towards solving it daily,” she shares.

Defining success

Whether you want to be the next Sabyasachi or Anna Wintour, time and again, we’ve been told that hard work and success go hand in hand. And for the most part, it holds true. But being in the right place at the right time and knowing the right people matters, too. Dave points out that being authentic will lead you toward your desired career. “You need to ask yourself if you want to participate or contribute to the industry, or do you want to be part of it because it may be relevant,” he adds. 

Shadangule has three basic rules with which creatives in this industry can aim to build their careers. “There are no limits; pick up as many learnings as you can along the way,” she says, adding: “A formal education in fashion is important but stay in touch with nature or that element that makes you dream. That has to be your source of inspiration, not the internet,” she says. Shadangule also points out other options to help creatives thrive in this industry, including business, marketing, strategy, finance, and content writing.

As a journalist, Jamal recommends reading and writing to be in tune with what’s happening in the industry. “Always look out for inspiration. A surprising number of people will apply for a job as a fashion writer, but when asked if they have any journalists whose work they admire, they usually don’t. What and who you read reflects in your work, so keep your benchmark high,” she advises. 

Balana recommends following your gut instinct. “This mantra has always worked and is still working for me. If it comes from your heart, it cannot be wrong. I will continue to design from my heart and urge the younger generation to do the same,” he says.

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