I didn?t have the chance to do a fashion course abroad but given a choice, I would certainly have gone for one. The local courses have definitely improved but they still leave a lot to be desired. Having said that let me add that a foundation in Indian fashion is necessary for our designers. Otherwise they tend to lose touch with their roots. It is not a good idea to mould your style on European or American lines and lose your own identity in the process. So, ideally, you should have some kind of a training here before joining a fashion school abroad.

Does a foreign course help? You bet it does. It gives you a global perspective and makes it easier to bring an ethnic flavour to your work. You learn a lot about professionalism which is so important. Above all, when you come back you get a job right away. Any employer would love to use your international exposure, knowledge and expertise.

And what better place to learn the ropes than Italy? Their courses are technically very strong. They are very clever with cut and finish. Also, infrastructure-wise they are second to none. Italy being one of the fashion capitals of the world, you would get to see how and why designs and patterns change and what influences these transformations. A fashion school in Milan or Florence would be any aspiring designer?s dream destination. In fact, one of my assistants has just joined a school in Milan and I think she will benefit a great deal.

The good news is that Indian fashion schools are catching up. NIFT is at par with any leading school anywhere in the world. Some of the others are not too far behind. And with the world of fashion opening up, it is not impossible to hire a good designer from Italy or France and learn. But if you can join an Italian or French school, the training and exposure would be invaluable. But it is up to you to to apply the knowledge. The inputs do not necessarily get reflected in your work. No school in the world can teach you aesthetics. You either have it or you don?t.

Some leading fashion schools in Italy

Fashion Art Italy,
Florence

It is owned by professional fashion designer, Serenella Fumanti, who has years of experience in the fields of textile, clothing, and fashion accessories. Their courses are based on knowledge acquired from work experience within various fashion organisations. They have three different courses to meet the varying needs of those seeking to enter the world of fashion design. But language could be a problem for the medium of instruction is primarily Italian. Batches are of 10 individuals per term. Students can create their own fashion expositions hosted by the institute in Prato. (Website: www.fashionart.it/ fashion/)

Istituto Marangoni,
Milan

It is recognised as Milan?s leading fashion school since 1935. Every year over a thousand students from all over the world enrol here. Budding designers benefit from the expertise of Marangoni?s tutors who are arguably the best in Europe. The courses offered by Istituto Marangoni range from all sectors in the fashion industry, including creative, managerial and commercial.

In February 2003, Marangoni opened a new centre in London?s Fashion Street ? its first outside Italy. ?We see London as offering Istituto Marangoni the opportunity to carry the good work we have started in Milan to another creative city,? says Paolo Parente, director of Istituto Marangoni, London. (Website: www.istitutomarangoni.com)

Polimoda-International Institute of Design and Marketing,
Prato

It was created and funded by the Commune of Florence and Prato in collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Technology of the New York State University. Polimoda teaches specialised courses in fashion design, production, sales and marketing. The fashion design programme is its flagship course.

Polimoda also offers a foundation in fashion design. Essential for getting into any specialisation. Then there?s a fashion design master ? an advanced course.

This programme is a highly-specialised course intended for young fashion designers who hold at least a post-secondary degree or who have just begun working. For applicants from other countries, an essential requirement is the successful completion of a secondary school programme permitting university admission within their system. (Website: www.polimoda.com)