Making the cut

The winner of a prestigious fashion award talks about his interests and his journey ahead

With everyone dreaming of cutting the svelte in a designer piece, fashion industry presents a stiff competition and a lot of scope. From choosing the right fabric for the drape to getting the perfect cut for the ensemble, it throws up a lot of interesting challenges. Fashion just doesn’t end with women; this industry has always been a man’s world.

Shailesh Kumar of National Institute of Fashion Technology recently bagged USHA International’s ‘Best Garment Construction Award’ for the year 2015. Shailesh was conferred with the award at a convocation event of NIFT that was held in Hyderabad. The award instituted by Usha International consists of a cash award of Rs 10,000/-, a sewing machine, a trophy and a citation certificate.

“It was the most memorable moment. We showcased our collection at the final graduation fashion show. I was tensed until I heard my name. Receiving the Best Garment Construction award by Usha International is a big achievement, for a budding designer,” expressed Shailesh.

The young aspiring designer from the city, initially had plans of becoming an engineer. But Shailesh went on to narrate his story as to how he identified the hidden designer in him. “I completed my Intermediate exams in the year 2009. I was from the Science stream. My elder brother infact wanted me to qualify for the IIT entrance exam.

My father wanted me to give the UPSC exams at +2 level. I prepared for both, but unfortunately I didn’t come in merit list in the IIT entrance exam. I managed to crack NDA (National Defence Academy) exam twice but because of poor communication skills, I was unable to clear other levels.”

It was his drive through NIFT campus, Patna, in 2010 that introduced him to fashion. “There a group of students’ wall art attracted me. I was curious to know about their work, so I stopped by and asked them all about it. They said it was their way of delivering a message to the society. I was very impressed with their art,” he narrated. He calls it a place that transformed him into a designer.

He recollects nurturing an interest for fashion since childhood. “As a kid, I would watch my mother use the sewing machine, sometimes I helped her with basic stitching,” he expressed. “I finally owned my first sewing machine in second year of college. By the end of third year, my confidence developed.

I acquired all the skills to construct a garment. I started creating different designs; men’s apparel is my forte, so I went on to try some unique designs which became my strength in the long-run,” highlighted Shailesh. When asked what is it like being a man in the fashion industry, Shailesh said “I think it really depends on the kind of work you do.

I'm not sure that being a man in the industry has any advantage over being a woman. There’s a tremendous number of creative, inspirational and motivated people. The men's market is still relatively young but developing at a tremendous rate. To have the art of contributing to this market by introducing new apparels for a male customer is gratifying.”

Garment construction is a vital element in the fashion industry, says Shailesh. “To understand garment construction is to appreciate the difference in quality between ‘fast fashion’ and a beautifully constructed garment that will last decades. To have your piece last longer in the market gives the designer the ultimate reward.”

“I learnt the core sewing techniques to create a garment from NIFT; I got the designer's eye for quality with my experience at college. I would always be thankful to NIFT for identifying the hidden talent in me and USHA for giving me a grand launch pad to the fashion industry. My dream is to setup a garment manufacturing unit and I am working towards my dream with the same passion,” said the young designer.

By:Navatha Y