Careers in textile and apparel-Serena Kallian

The textile industry is one among the earlier industries in India. In recent times, it has seen a rapid shift in its fundamental structure. With an increase in purchasing power among consumers the domestic textile market is expected to grow tremendously in the future. According to media and business research reports India’s domestic textile market expanded from about $ 30 billion to about $ 52 billion in 2010, and is likely to grow further to $ 90 billion by 2015. Like India, China is also showing positive growth in its textile market. This industry has played an important role in generating foreign exchange reserves and creating employment opportunities.

Traditionally, Indians were more economical in their clothing options; preference was routed towards locally stitched clothing over ready to wear apparel. In the 1980s, there was a growing acceptance to fashion and trends moreover convenience became a major driving factor contributing to the increased consumption of ready made garments. All this led to the growth of the branded apparel industry in India. With the 90s came an era for liberal trade and new investment policies. All these factors led to more changes in the industry. However a major chunk of the market is still to be tapped. Men’s clothing accounts for a major share in the branded apparel market in India. It amounts to 59 percent of the market. Some of the well known names in this scene include Raymonds, Bombay Dyeing, Arvind mills, Pantaloons, Zodiac Clothing Company, etc. Further, Levi Strauss, Nike, Reebok etc which have made their presence known in the urban market in the recent years are well known international apparel brands.

The textile and the apparel industry is presently facing many challenges due to inflation and new export tax policies. However with promising opportunities it is an attractive career option for the Indian talent pool. Traditionally, entry points for a career in the textile and apparel industry was either through extensive entrepreneurial work experience or through fashion/textile/apparel designing and engineering programmes available at the undergraduate and post graduate level. Work experience is considered a really important factor for recruiters in this industry. MBAs are usually not always directly absorbed by large organisations unless they have prior experience in the apparel/textile industry. The areas where MBA graduates are usually considered in apparel and textile are in supply chain, marketing/sales and Finance.

Apart from the conventional courses there are specialised management programmes in textile and apparel offered by a few institutes. Sardar Vallabhai Patel Institute of Textile Management (SVPITM) set up by the Ministry of Textiles; Government of India in Coimbatore offers fulltime post graduate diploma courses in textile and apparel management. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) offers a two year MBA programme in apparel merchandising. Many upcoming management institutes offer post graduate diploma courses in retail/design merchandising which includes apparel and textile in its study.

Internationally, many general MBA graduates do opt for roles in the apparel and fashion industry. In this case most of the candidates either have a marketing/retail/entrepreneurial background. The international schools whose graduates are well represented in the apparel/ fashion/luxury brand industry include Columbia Business School, Kellogg School of Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business, INSEAD, ESSEC etc to name a few.