An Interview With Dr. Mamatha G Hegde (HOD Fashion Design) at MSRUAS Bangalore

M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (MSRUAS) Bangalore is a private university, founded in the year 2013. MSRUAS Bangalore courses are approved by AICTE and is accredited by NAAC, and NBA. Students must meet the specific eligibility criteria for their chosen specialisations for admissions to MS RUAS Bangalore.

Careers360 presents you with an interview with Dr Mamatha G Hegde, an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Fashion Design, Faculty of Art and Design, M. S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, where she highlights how M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Science shapes future designers. Go through the interview below to learn more about MSRUAS Bangalore.

Careers360: What inspired the foundation of your institution, and how has its journey evolved over the years?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: M. S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), a state Private University approved by UGC aims to focus its programs on student centric higher education. Students can expect to experience an integrated approach to academic, research, training, real life problem solving and entrepreneurship. The University, at present, offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in Medical, Engineering and Technology, Art and Design, Management and Commerce, Hospitality Management and Catering Technology, Pharmacy, Dental Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences and Life and Allied Health Sciences.

MSRUAS journey evolved over the years and brought together several well-established educational institutions of the Ramaiah Group, reorienting them to a changing present and a prolific future. Over the years, MSRUAS has created a name for itself as a university that is centred on academia, industry, and society; one that works tirelessly to mould the thinkers of tomorrow. At present university is offering 127 programs with 13 faculties.

Faculty of Art and Design started in the year 2014, presently offers Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in Design. FAD offers a four year Undergraduate programme offered leading to the B. Des., Degree in Fashion Design. Dept. of Fashion Design started in the year 2017.

Careers360: As a leader in fashion education, what core values and principles guide your institution’s vision?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: The Fashion Design department vision and mission aligned with the university vision and mission that is, Department aspires to be a premier institute of academic excellence all over the global education for fashion, textiles, research and partnership with Industry by cultivating graduates to be creative, innovative, and ethical by upgrading the knowledge and pushing the boundaries aligned with global sustainable goals. The Fashion Design Department Mission is to inculcate and enhance the creativity, imagination, innovation and practical hands on skills of students and apply design fundamentals, analyse design issues, interpret and infer data by keeping in view the public health, safety, and cultural, societal and environmental considerations.

The apparel industry is one of the major sectors contributing to the growth of the country's overall economic development. In Ramaiah University student’s creativity and innovation is encouraged to implement technology and latest designs beyond the limit. Sustainability is followed from cradle to tomb i.e. from raw material sourcing to final stage. Collaboration with industry is part of curriculum so that students are exposed to industry work challenges, solutions through internships and projects at even semesters. Students were encouraged to design a high quality design by using traditional Indian textile, apparel and fashion knowledge. Innovation and entrepreneurship is taught for students form 2nd year onwards to kindle and nurture student’s ideas and provide guidance about team work, leadership, fashion start up and business.

Careers360: What are some of the biggest challenges you have encountered in shaping the next generation of fashion designers?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Fashion Designing is one of the most exciting and challenging sector.

• Challenges in evolutionary and innovations in the production of textiles, apparels and intelligent fashion.

• Fashion 4.0 is into the market now, all the advancement has taken in apparel, textile and designing field.

• Updating on new technologies, materials, the latest product launches, new innovation, the latest machineries and processes.

• Unification of designers, manufacturers, retailers for digitized development of the fashion world for the clientele and fashionistas.

• Digitization of the style, sketch knowledge, design, and visualization of concept into a reality fashion product

• Research and innovation in the integration of essential functionalities and performance characteristics

• Challenge of guiding students to balance the innovation as per market requirement with uniqueness and originality

Careers360: How does your institution stay ahead in an industry that is constantly evolving with trends and technology?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Fashion Design department developed and implemented NEP 2020 curriculum by taking the industry and academic experts opinions through Board of Studies and its effectiveness is measured continuously by reviewing, assessing the outcomes, observing the emerging trends, feedbacks from industry experts, alumni, employers and other stake holders. Artificial intelligence, vectors and rectors in fashion, Clo 3D design, virtual fashion, and digital prototyping etc. were incorporated into the curriculum which keeps students at the forefront of technological advancements.

Students and staff were encouraged to conduct innovative inter disciplinary projects, pand rovided more opportunities to connect and network with industry experts and other academic professionals from global level.

Opportunities were provided for students to conduct field study, do internship in various textile, apparel and fashion industries so as to become successful and dynamic in their career. Supports staff and students to participate in industry exhibitions and conferences.

Fashion design department focusses on good talent acquisition, professional development by anticipating the future skill requirements and industry trends with due emphasise on including the diversity during hiring. Dept. also recognises the talents appraise the performance of staffs.

Fashion design dept. encourages industry collaboration with various apparel and textile industries by inviting industry experts for workshops, prestigious guest lectures and workshops. Dept. also ensures that faculty members are enriched with industry knowledge and ongoing trends.

Strengthening and establishing more associations and partnerships with textile, apparel, fashion industries, academia’s and research centres to conduct collaborative research work, conferences, seminars, workshops, students projects, exhibitions, symposiums, Hackathon s, competitions, internships and placements.

Careers360: What initiatives have you implemented to foster creativity and innovation among students?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Teaching and learning strategies designed for all courses in the fashion design dept. foster creativity, practical skills, and a deep understanding of the fashion industry. Learning methods through hands on projects, designing, portfolios, conceptual sketches, practical skill development through hands-on training etc. also improves creativity and innovation. Implementation of flexible hybrid model of teaching, class discussions, design critiques fosters a sense of ownership and enthusiasm in learning.

Dept. of fashion design performs annual portfolio presentation named “Miraki Fashion Show” were in students creative designs were evaluated for parameters like design aesthetics, choreography, theme, stage presentation, innovation design originality, vision for the future, accessories, coordination, expression, and confidence. Dept. conducts International Hackathon events and design exhibitions based on cutting edge themes. Dept. also conducts competitions at dept. level competitions to have inclusion of heritage and cultural diverse textiles, costumes and fashion.

The fashion design program provides industrial exposure for students to update themselves on new technologies, materials, the latest product launches, new innovations, the latest machines and processes. Application of design fundamentals in developing various products, fashion clothing etc.in a sustainable way by keeping in view the public health, safety, cultural, societal and environmental considerations is the outcome of the program.

Students were encouraged to work with interdisciplinary peers regarding projects, designs and research. Students were provided with experienced and qualified staffs, latest laboratory equipment’s, software’s etc.

Careers360: How do you ensure that students are equipped with the right skills to thrive in the competitive fashion industry?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Dept. will evaluate the impact of curriculum as designed in alignment with textile, apparel and fashion industry requirement in terms of technological advancements, emerging design concepts in the areas like eco and sustainable fashion, IOT, digital designing, heritage and cultural diversity

Practical skills were improvised regularly by procuring of latest laboratory equipment’s, tools, and software’s to meet the latest industry requirements and to carry out innovative research in the subject domain and interdisciplinary sector.

Fashion design students will be preparing the fashion portfolio and show casing their unique designs in 6 semester B. Des programmes by participating in annual Fashion show i.e. Miraki which is the platform to showcase and present dream garments and designs to the world of fashion. For this show models were selected across all faculty within the university. Other than this fashion club provides opportunity for Students across different Faculties to participate as University Team. Students of Fashion Design help students of Various Faculties to design garments/ Costumes for Fashion Shows across Bangalore. Students were given exposure of industry projects, case studies, fashion shoots, modelling, shows etc. Memorandum of understanding signed with industries helps students to get internships, placements etc.

Careers 360: What role does sustainability play in your curriculum, and how is it shaping the future of fashion education?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Curriculum includes studies on Environment, Sustainable fashion, Fashion ethics etc. Students also carry out projects related to textile waste management, circular fashion. All the students were guided and mentored while doing designs, assignments, case studies and project work that covers fashion ethics and conduction some society service activities about sustainability.

Careers360: What advice would you give for aspiring designers who aim to make a mark in the fashion world?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Fashion Design Program is application based education i.e. program provides professional knowledge and skills with due emphasis on representation of creativity with constant observation of designs, its feasibility in terms of technicality, functionality, sustainability and social needs to meet the change and challenges of forth coming decades. Fashion design study involves learning practical demonstrations on the new innovations, product launches, product upgrades and new materials. To become successful in the fashion industry skills required are-

• Communication

• Creativity

• Conceptualization and imagination

• Designing and innovative ideas

• Hands on skill and experience

• Leadership

• Network building and team work

• Patience, punctuality, time management

• Utilization of every styles which comes to market

• Promotion of fashion products

• Quick response to customer demands

• Feasibility in terms of technicality, functionality, sustainability

Careers360: How do you envision the evolution of fashion education in India over the next decade?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: The Fashion Design Program is application-based education i.e. program provides professional knowledge and skills with due emphasis on representation of creativity with constant observation of designs, its feasibility in terms of technicality, functionality, sustainability and social needs to meet the change and challenges of forth coming decades. Students will be learning practical demonstrations on the new innovations, product launches, product upgrades and new materials.

Students and staffs will be encouraged for conducting the innovative inter disciplinary projects, provided more opportunity to connect and network with industry experts and other academic professionals from nationally and internationally. Explore more opportunities for students to earn industry and other recognised certifications and align them to become successful and dynamic in their careers.

Fashion design dept. encourages industry collaboration with various apparel and textile industries by inviting industry experts for workshops, prestigious guest lectures and workshops. Dept. also ensures that faculty members are enriched with industry knowledge and ongoing trends. Supports staff and students to participate in industry exhibitions and conferences.

Careers360: What are your institution’s future goals, and how do you plan to further strengthen its impact on the fashion industry?

Development of artefact and craft using textile and other waste, students projects, assignments, case study and dissertations related to waste management, recycling, circular fashion, sustainability

Careers360: What is the admission procedure followed in MSRUAS and how should students choose fashion design program?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: A candidate seeking admission to Bachelors Fashion Design programme should have passed at Pre-University level or equivalent awarded by any recognised State/ Central /– Senior Secondary Boards and Any 3 year Diploma awarded by State Board (However Diploma holders of Fashion Design / Apparel Design and Fabrication Technology (ADFT) /Handloom Technology / Textile Technology or allied discipline can opt for lateral entry. Student choose fashion design program based on their personnel interest, creativity and urge to learn and practice something new hidden talent like sketching, painting, surface designing, embroidery, beautification etc.

Careers360: Please give insights on the infrastructure provided on campus.

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Department has support from experienced teaching staff with excellent laboratory facilities such as Pattern Making and Garment Construction Lab consisting of 54 Advanced fashion Maker, Power and domestic single needle lock stitch machines, Mannequins, Fashion Maker machines etc. Well-equipped Computer Aided Design Laboratory having 20 computers with Reach CAD, Photoshop, Auto CAD and Coral Draw software’s. Textile Fibres, Dyeing and Quality Lab having testing equipment’s such as Tensile Strength tester, Drape Meter, Digital balance, Shrinkage Tester, Stiffness Tester, Crease recovery Tester, Washing Tester- Laundrometer, Crock meter, GSM tester, Digital pilling tester, Beasley’s Balance, Single Yarn Twist Tester, Fabric Thickness tester, Microscopes and mobile phone adaptor, Yarn evenness tester, water baths, Printing tables, Blocks, Screens, Batik tools, Stove and Containers.

Careers360: How Internships are facilitated at Fashion design department and what are the types?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Students will be guided to take proper internship in field of Fashion i.e.; to train the students to come up with innovative, creative and unique ideas to see, feel, approach, analyse and apply design in a different way, Guide the design solutions to solve critical societal and industrial problems, Plan a sustainable design, generate a concept, develop a prototype, pilot study, test and validate the data with proper documentation after completion of 1 year i.e. from 3 semester onwards. The process continues in the advanced level of internship and report preparation in 5 semester, 7 and 8 semester program.

Students will do internship in any of the textile related industries like spinning, dyeing, weaving, printing, finishing, quality testing etc. Apparel exports internship includes, as designer, pattern master, quality controller, checker, merchandiser etc. Students do internship in buying house, boutiques, studios, various fashion shows, serials, films etc. as costume or fashion designer, stylist, Models, choreographers etc.

Careers360: How the dept. improves the placement and who are the prominent recruiters?

Dr Mamatha G Hegde: Inclusion of Internship / Training or Project work after every even semester and report submission in every odd semester is very much beneficial to students in learning the work atmosphere, work culture etc. intern helps in placement/ Free Lance/ Entrepreneurship for fashion designers. Students also will be studying Innovation and Entrepreneurship course 4 semester is very useful to become entrepreneur.

Students after completion of fashion design degree work as a Designer, Merchandiser, Fashion stylist and Consultant, Fashion Visual Merchandiser, in various companies like Binks, Jack and Jones, Shloka Sudhakar, Ranger Apparels, Good will Fabrics, P. B productions, Honey and Spice, Intertek India Pvt Ltd, Puma, Sravanti, RRK Cotton, India, Pvt Ltd, Tirupur, Dream Merchants, Leisure Loom, Atharva Fashions, Rare Rabbit, Texport Apparels LLP, Tanushree Boutique, Aditya Birla, Spatika Clothing etc. 80 percent students were placed in various companies like Texport Apparels LLC, Campus Sutra, Shahi Exports, Myntra, Shloka Sudhakar Studio, Sulochana Cotton Spinning Mills Pvt Ltd, Ranger Apparel exports Pvt Ltd, Best United India Comforts Pvt Ltd, Scotwilson Inc Pvt Ltd etc. of past year and current year.

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