Fashion Designing

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Fashion Designing

Vaishavi Lakhina | Owner | Lakhina Couture

Owner Vaishavi Lakhina's Talk on Fashion Designing

The Journey of a Fashion Designer: Vaishali Lakhina's Path to Creative Success Vaishali Lakhina is not your typical fashion designer. With a unique background that started from aspiring to be a gynecologist and led to a vibrant career in fashion, Vaishali has made her mark as a successful businesswoman in the industry. Over the last three years, she has built her brand, Lakhina Couture, establishing herself as a prominent figure in the fashion world. In this article, we will explore the multifaceted career of fashion design through the lens of Vaishali's experiences, covering her education, skills, the positives and challenges she faces, and what a day in her life is like. What Is Fashion Designing? Fashion designing is more than just creating clothing; it's a blend of art, science, and market acumen. It's about utilizing creativity to design outfits that resonate with diverse body types while ensuring functionality and style. According to Vaishali, fashion design is an intricate field requiring technical know-how, an understanding of materials, and a keen eye for trends that influence what people wear. It’s about making decisions that can either uplift someone's mood or lead to disappointment, emphasizing the need for a designer to be attuned to the client's desires. Education Elements of Designing Vaishali credits her education at Amity University with equipping her with essential design skills. Among her favorite subjects is Elements of Designing, which delves into color theory and texture creation. The curriculum taught her the importance of understanding how colors can change the feel of a garment and how to effectively mix them to achieve desired aesthetics. This foundational knowledge plays a crucial role in every piece she creates, ensuring that her designs are not only visually appealing but also harmonious. Fashion Model Drawing Fashion Model Drawing was another pivotal aspect of Vaishali's education. This subject encompasses various techniques, including drawing croquis and illustrating flat sketches. Vaishali learned to capture the essence of the fabric’s texture on paper, enabling her to communicate her visions to pattern makers more effectively. It is this skill that helps bridge the gap between initial sketches and the final, tangible designs. Garment Manufacturing Techniques Understanding the intricacies of Garment Manufacturing Techniques provided Vaishali with a theoretical backbone vital for execution. She learned the entire process from pattern making to the final stitching of garments, gaining insight into all the elements that contribute to a polished product. This knowledge ensures that her designs not only look good but are also constructively sound. Drafting & Pattern Making Drafting and Pattern Making is considered one of the most critical subjects in fashion design. For Vaishali, mastering this aspect meant understanding the exact measurements required for each silhouette. She emphasizes that precision in drafting contributes significantly to how an outfit fits, ultimately impacting customer satisfaction—an essential aspect of her business. Latest Trends & Market Research Keeping up with the Latest Trends and Market Research is vital in fashion. Vaishali learned to utilize digital tools to forecast trends and draw inspiration from leading designers such as Sabyasachi Mukherjee. This subject helps her remain relevant in a fast-paced industry where consumer preferences are constantly evolving, and being attuned to trends can offer a competitive advantage. Skills Sketching Strong sketching skills are pivotal for any fashion designer, and Vaishali considers them indispensable. She believes that being proficient in sketching allows her to communicate design ideas effectively, ensuring that everyone involved in the production understands the vision she has in mind. Communication Skills Effective communication is key in the fashion industry. Vaishali highlights that her success largely stems from her ability to communicate with clients, suppliers, and her team. This not only fosters strong relationships but also aids in understanding and managing client expectations, which is crucial for satisfaction. Patience In a demanding business like fashion, patience is indispensable. Vaishali has developed the ability to handle client feedback graciously, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. This quality allows her to navigate challenges while maintaining a professional demeanor, particularly during the creative process, where setbacks are common. Observation & Visualization Observation and visualization are skills that Vaishali utilizes to ensure that each design is tailored to the client's unique preferences. She notes that being observant about client needs and staff capabilities allows her to direct her team effectively, maximizing their strengths and ensuring quality outcomes. Creativity Creativity is the heart of fashion design. For Vaishali, this means moving beyond imitation to infuse her designs with unique touches that reflect her individual style. She emphasizes that the ability to innovate and think outside the box is what sets successful designers apart in a crowded marketplace. Team Management As a business owner with a staff of 15, team management is a skill Vaishali has honed. She ensures that everyone in her team knows their strengths and is assigned tasks that play to those strengths, fostering an environment where creativity flourishes, and the workflow remains efficient. Leadership Leadership is essential for guiding her team and making effective decisions. Vaishali takes her role as a leader seriously, creating a collaborative atmosphere where everyone feels valued, which positively influences productivity and satisfaction among her staff. Effective Problem Solving In fashion, problems often arise unexpectedly, and the ability to solve these issues swiftly is crucial. Vaishali recalls moments where quick thinking was necessary to ensure deadlines were met, such as when an outfit was damaged just before delivery—a situation she handled with grace and efficiency. Presentation The way products are presented plays a significant role in client satisfaction. Vaishali acknowledges that both online and offline presentations must be immaculate to create a lasting impression and enhance the overall customer experience. She emphasizes that well-packaged products convey professionalism and dedication to quality. Positives Self Satisfaction For Vaishali, the most gratifying aspect of her career is the self-satisfaction derived from seeing her clients happy with their outfits. This joy not only propels her to continue creating but also fosters a sense of personal accomplishment as her brand gains recognition. Growth Vaishali believes in continuous growth, which is evident in her journey from a college student to an award-winning designer. She reflects on how each milestone, including awards like the Most Promising Fashion Designer of the Year, showcases her dedication and inspires her to strive for higher levels of success. Being Independent Fashion designing has also granted Vaishali financial independence. She takes pride in supporting herself and managing her own expenses, a stark contrast to her earlier reliance on her parents. This independence has instilled confidence and resilience in her, traits essential for any entrepreneur. Respect & Recognition In the world of fashion, respect and recognition often come through the quality of work presented. Vaishali notes that the compliments from clients and peers serve as validation of her efforts, leading to an expanding network and more opportunities in the industry. Travelling Travel provides Vaishali with a rich source of inspiration and a chance to engage with diverse clientele. She views her travels as not merely professional obligations but as opportunities for personal growth and cultural enrichment that enhance her creativity. Challenges Balanced Work Life Vaishali often finds it challenging to maintain a work-life balance, especially with demanding clients and busy production schedules. She recalls times during family events when work intruded on personal moments, requiring her to find ways to allocate time effectively to both realms. Client Expectations Meeting client expectations can be daunting. Vaishali acknowledges that clients often have specific requirements that must be carefully navigated. This includes managing everything from material quality to fitting, ensuring that the final product aligns with their vision. Quality Control Maintaining high standards of quality is paramount, but it can be challenging within the busy atmosphere of her studio. Vaishali trusts her mother to oversee this aspect, yet she understands how crucial it is for the brand's reputation and customer satisfaction to keep quality consistent. A Day Of Fashion Designing A Sunday in Vaishali's life as a fashion designer is particularly busy. She begins her day around 9:30 am, rushing to ensure her team is prepared as clients arrive for fittings and consultations. Sundays serve as a critical day when her studio is filled with clients ready to finalize designs or discuss new orders, creating a vibrant atmosphere in her workplace. Throughout the day, she manages fittings, coordinates the packing of garments, and attends to client inquiries, often extending her work until late evening. Despite the long hours, she finds joy in seeing satisfied clients and answers calls and messages late into the night. Her commitment to serving her clients demonstrates her passion and dedication to creating memorable experiences through fashion. In this bustling world of fashion design, Vaishali Lakhina's journey is emblematic of the industry's creative spirit, underpinned by persistence and dedication. As a designer, her work not only shapes clothing but also transforms lives, proving that passion and hard work can indeed lead to fulfilling careers.

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