UPES B.Des Admissions 2026
Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
NIFT Entrance Exam Application Date:08 Dec' 25 - 06 Jan' 26
Fashion design and fashion merchandising are interconnected and play an important role in the fashion industry. However, both are different fields of study. Fashion design includes the designing of the accessories and clothes whereas fashion merchandising includes the development of marketing strategies, brand awareness, merchandising and retail of the product. Both the professions are crucial for the fashion industry.
Fashion design is the process of designing clothes and accessories. It is an art form that depends on creativity, artistic and analyzing skills. Fashion designing does not only limit to making or designing clothes but also includes other lifestyle fashion such as accessories, jewelry, and footwear.
A fashion designer understands the customer's needs, conceptualizes clothing, accessories and works on new fashion trends. The activity of fashion designing includes generating ideas, sketching, selecting fabric, pattern making, sewing, and drafting the design. The fashion designers attend the fashion and design events such as trade shows, fashion exhibitions, fashion shows, etc. Fashion designing is about creativity, style, and new ideas that amaze the audience.
Fashion merchandising is about the planning and promotion of a product for sale by presenting it to the correct audience, market at the right time. The product can be presented by carrying out artful advertisements, flyers or attractive displays at the retail store. Fashion merchandising includes stock planning and management.
The fashion merchandiser works with the production of fashion designs and distribution of final products to customers end. The objective of the fashion merchandiser is to earn profit for the designer or departmental they worked for. They ensure the designer designs the product with affordability and desirable by the target market.
Fashion Designing | Fashion Merchandising |
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The eligibility criteria for pursuing fashion designing and merchandising may vary for different institutes. The general eligibility criteria to pursue the courses are as follows.
Aspirants must be a 10+2 passed or its equivalent from an recognized national or government board of education for a bachelor's degree in fashion management.
For a master's degree, aspirants must obtain an undergraduate degree or its equivalent degree from any stream from a recognized university.
Students can earn a fashion designing or fashion merchandising course from a reputed fashion school. The top fashion institutes in India are as follows.
Fashion design institutes not only train the students with the required skills but also assist them in the right career path. Popular fashion courses that you can pursue to fulfill your dream are as follows.
Fashion Design | Fashion Styling and Image Design | |
The fashion industry is a giant business. It is more than just designing clothes. Fashion design is the form of art, including design aesthetics and bringing personal touch to the clothing and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fashion merchandising is about the planning and promotion of a product for sale by presenting it to the market. The fashion merchandiser works with the production of fashion designs and distributing of final products to the customers end.
The skills required for fashion designers are creative skills, artistic and organizational skills.
The skills needed for fashion merchandiser are marketing, analytical skills, creativity etc.
The fashion design is an art form that depends on creativity, artistic and analyzing skills whereas merchandising is about the planning and promotion of a product for sale by presenting it to the market.
No, the fashion merchandising degree will not qualify the candidates to become a fashion designer.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Yes, a diploma holder in Computer Engineering can apply for the NIFT entrance exam , but only through the lateral entry route.
NIFT allows candidates with a 3-year or 4-year engineering diploma from a recognized board to apply for B.F.Tech (Fashion Technology) through lateral entry. The diploma must be approved by AICTE or the State Technical Board.
The age limit is usually 24 years for the general category.
So yes, you are eligible, as Computer Engineering is an engineering diploma.
Hope it helps !
Hello aspirant,
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has determined the official date for NIFT 2026 applicant registrations, which is expected to open in November 2025. Online applications will be accepted through January 2026.
For complete information, you can visit our site through following link:
https://design.careers360.com/exams/nift-entrance-exam
Thank you
Hello Neharika
These are the topics which are most important in the Current affairs section in respect to NIFT Entrance Exam:
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To know more about NIFT Entrance Exam: NIFT Entrance Exam by CAREERS360
Hope this answer helps! Thank You!!!
Hello,
According to the sources, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) entrance exam for 2026 will be held in February 2026. Also, the registration period may open from November 2025.
I hope it will clear your query!!
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Ranked #45 amongst Universities in India by NIRF | Ranked #1 in Academic Reputation in India by QS World University Rankings
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World-class design education with a global curricular collaboration with Parson’s School of Design
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