Can you make something out of nothing? Do you have the ability to produce wearable and marketable designs for watches, jewellery and bags? If so, you should consider becoming an accessory designer.

The term “accessory” is used for bags, small leather goods, footwear, eyewear, gloves, belts, jewels, hats and scarves. These articles are different in nature but are at the same time part of a specific system, the fashion system.

Professionals enrolling in a course in accessory design learn to experiment with innovative design methodologies and acquire in-depth knowledge of the field.

What do I have to do?

Accessory designers conceptualise and create designs for jewellery, handbags, shoes, ties, belts, hats and gloves that go with clothing. Accessories include articles made of gold, silver, metal, plastic and fabric. Designers usually specialise in a specific line of accessories for men, women, children, brides, young adults and so on.

Accessory designers must stay in touch not only with trends in their own specialities but also with the apparel and fabric markets in order to create pieces that complement the new hot styles. They also design unique accessory items for large retailers and for rich clientele under contract.

Souvenirs, party items, candles, cosmetics and fancy stationery can also be considered accessories. These are basically non-competing items that can complement your lifestyle.

Today, owning an accessory line is probably one of the easiest ways to become a part of the growing fashion industry. Both online and offline accessory studios are mushrooming every day. Even though only a few designers eventually own large accessory lines, most of the successful ones can lead a fulfilling lifestyle.

What should I study?

For undergraduate and certificate programmes in accessory design, you should have passed the Plus Two examination (in any subject stream) from a recognised board. For the postgraduate programme at the National Institute of Design, you should have the following qualifications: a bachelors degree in design /architecture / engineering / technology / interiors / textiles / fashion / accessories.

A portfolio of original designs and a collection of self-manufactured products is an advantage. An accessory design programme has art and general studies courses that can help you to understand design elements such as colour theory, materials and trends.

You should also have above average creative skills and technical knowledge of materials required for the chosen speciality (such as metal and semi-precious stones used by jewellery designers). Persistence, determination, the ability to work independently, drawing and sketching skills, knowledge of current fashion trends, manufacturing and production processes, the ability to produce within a tight budget and adhering to stressful deadlines can enable you to excel.

What next?

For fashion accessories, the sky is the limit. There are good prospects in garment store chains, boutiques, leather companies, jewellery houses, at fashion shows and with fashion publishers.

You can also freelance for a domestic or export house as a merchandiser or as a production executive. Some stores that employ accessory designers are Hidesign, Estelle, Tanishq, D’Damas, Titan, Raymond Apparel Ltd, Bulchee, Gili, Gucci, Guess, Prada, Cartier, Chanel and Tiffany & Co.

Footwear manufacturing companies also employ accessory designers. Indian leather exports are growing. So there is plenty of scope in this sector.

where to study

• National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
• National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi.
• Footwear Development Design Institute, Noida.
• Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Mumbai.
• Arch Academy of Art, Fashion and Design, Jaipur.