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a new era of fashion has progressed rapidly in the country and the world. In this era, like dresses, people have become very aware about footwear as well. This is the reason that on one hand, while one design after another of footwear is being seen in the market , the demand for footwear stylists who prepare them is also increasing day by day. Not only this, since the e-commerce model has entered the footwear industry due to Covid-19, career opportunities in the footwear sector have increased even more rapidly.
India is the second largest footwear manufacturer in the world
There are many reasons for the increasing opportunities for the new generation of India in the footwear sector. According to a recently published report, the footwear industry in India is growing at a rate of 23.75 between 2022 and 2025. India ranks second after China in footwear manufacturing. About 10 percent of the world's footwear is produced in India and India is the sixth largest exporter of footwear. Currently, the Indian footwear industry is progressing rapidly. India has an annual market of about 8 crore pairs of shoes and now that the Indian footwear industry has come to the center of the fashion accessories market, rapid growth is being estimated in the Indian footwear industry in the coming decades. In this situation, the demand for skilled footwear stylists is also bound to increase rapidly.
Skills required to become a footwear stylist
Certainly, the footwear industry has come a long way from traditional cobbler shops to malls and today it has become a fashion statement. With footwear becoming a priority of image conscious people, the need for a professional touch in designing and marketing has emerged and along with this has emerged the lucrative footwear styling career with a balance of beauty and utility. Quality and design have now become the main requirements of this field. It is worth noting that footwear stylists are a special type of shoe designers. To become a footwear stylist, it is necessary to have an interest in fashion and a passion for shoes. Footwear stylists work as designers. While technical designers do the work of pattern making , cutting and designing, footwear stylist designers are involved in the work of fashion and style. The unique look and style of footwear works on appeal as per the latest trends. Since footwear styling is a highly creative field, drawing skills are important for it. The challenge of the footwear sector is to identify the needs of every consumer. A creative mindset and the ability to combine art and need are very useful for a footwear stylist.
Various job opportunities for footwear stylist
Footwear styling is considered to be the most technical of all design careers. It begins with the planning and scale of sketching of methods , creation of designs in drawings. This is followed by the creation of prototypes and work on enhancing functionality and aesthetics. It can be done with leather , canvas , wood , plastic , jute , metals etc. The fitting of the footwear manufactured should be perfect and there is no scope for alteration. Comfort , safety and quality parameters are equally important. Footwear stylists are experts in creating new styling in footwear from soles , heels , trims and styling. Footwear stylists also know about fashion , trends and market demand , foot anatomy , technical experience of shoe making , manufacturing and construction experience , technical knowledge of shoe moulds, heels , soles and trims , leather , canvas and other materials. In such a situation , there are dazzling employment opportunities in the field of footwear styling in technology , designing and management. The major employment areas in this field are - footwear stylist , footwear designer , product developer , product development manager , quality controller , footwear technologist , merchandiser , marketing executive , planning executive etc. Today, placements in this field are being given with very good packages by big and multinational companies like Reebok , Liberty , Adidas , Nike , Bata , Woodland , Lakhani , Red Chief and Lee Cooper. It is important to note that good opportunities for self-employment can be obtained even in big cities by taking easy loans under the footwear industry promotion schemes of the Central and State Government.
Various courses related to footwear styling and designing
Many courses related to footwear styling and footwear designing are available in various institutions of Madhya Pradesh and the country . Students who have passed class 10th can do short term courses related to footwear styling. These types of courses are called certificate courses. For admission in postgraduate diploma course in footwear styling, graduation in any subject is a must. Footwear engineering courses which are B.Tech./M.Tech. Students of science subjects can take admission in these courses. For admission in B.Tech. course, 12th examination with Mathematics is a must. It is necessary to pass the subject group. For admission in M.Tech, B.Tech degree is necessary. For admission in Diploma course of Footwear Styling, it is necessary to pass 12th standard. Generally, for admission in all the courses, it is necessary to clear the entrance exam. To become a footwear stylist, you must have a relevant degree. A degree related to the study of design and technical skills will give you the practical knowledge required to work in the footwear industry. Footwear Design and Development Institute , Noida under the Ministry of Commerce is running many courses in this field. The minimum qualification for which is 12th. This course is very useful for working in the manufacturing sector. In such a situation, you can grab good career opportunities in the field of footwear by selecting the appropriate course based on your interest, qualification and ability.
Dr. Jayantilal Bhandari (Career Counselor) 111, Gumasta Nagar , Indore- 9 ( Phone- 0731 2482060, 2480090)
