Ms. Vimi Vansil is the Director of the Indian Institute of Fashion and Design. She has a Master’s in Textile from NIFT and has over 20 years of experience working in the fashion industry. She has been conferred with the Best Designer Award from M.S. Bitta (AIATF) held by Fevicryl. Ms. Vansil has been the chief mentor and choreographer for several fashion shows such as the Sunsilk Fashion Show and the Kids Fashion Show among others. Moreover, she has also organized many more Fashion Shows and Talent Hunt Shows at Punjab University Chandigarh, Shimla Fest, GIF, Tavash, etc and has received the best choreographer award from FFCDAI. She has worked with prominent celebrities like the late Sri Devi, Sonam Kapoor, and Farhan Akhtar.

Indian Institute of Fashion and Design

What was the vision and mission of the institute when it was set up?

The Indian Institute of Fashion and Design (IIFD) is a leading institute for fashion, textile, and interior design education located in the beautiful city of Chandigarh, India. Established in 2004, IIFD is committed to providing world-class education and training to prepare students for successful careers in the industry. The Indian Institute of Fashion and Design is a college that operates independently. We’re passionate about providing a high-quality education in the fields of fashion design, textile design, and interior design. We’re committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and collaboration. Our mission is to nurture creative talent and provide them with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the industry. We strive to create a learning environment that fosters innovation, experimentation, and individuality while also ensuring that our students are equipped with the practical skills necessary to succeed in a competitive industry.

What is the admission process at IIFD?

The admissions process at IIFD is designed to be very straightforward to identify talented and motivated students who are passionate about design. Interested candidates can apply for admission online through the institute's official website or by visiting the IIFD Campus. Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for the programme they wish to apply for. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the programme and are outlined on the institute's website and in the admission brochure as well. The selection of candidates for admission is based on their academic performance and a short personal interview. Successful candidates will be offered admission to the programme of their choice based on their eligibility in the selection process. Our admission process is designed to be fair, transparent, and inclusive, ensuring that we select the candidates for our programmes and provide them with an education and real-world experience that prepares them for a successful career in the fashion industry.

What are your placement statistics for the recent placements drive? 

We’re proud to have a strong record of placements, with a consistently high placement rate year after year. We work closely with leading fashion companies and organizations to ensure that our graduates have access to the best job opportunities in the industry and to ensure that IIFD has a good reputation for delivering assured placement assistance in the industry. In the last academic year, we achieved a placement rate of over 90%, with a significant number of our graduates securing positions with top brands, retailers, and design houses. The average package for our graduates was around INR 5-6 lakhs per annum, with the highest package being INR 16.5 lakhs per annum and the lowest package being around INR 4.5 lakhs per annum. Some of the companies that have recruited our graduates include Satya Paul, Marks & Spencer, The Textile Association (India), U & I International, Junior’s Fashion Week, The Times of India, Times Fashion, Redress, and Fab India, among others.

Check Indian Institute of Fashion and Design Courses & Fees

What kind of infrastructure can students expect at the institute? 

At IIFD, we believe that a state-of-the-art infrastructure is essential for providing our students with the best possible learning experience. We have invested in good facilities that are designed to provide our students with a learning environment that is both comfortable and conducive to their growth and development. Our campus is equipped with modern classrooms that are designed to facilitate effective learning, including a computer lab with the latest software and hardware, and a recreation room where students can unwind and socialise. We also have a fully equipped fashion laboratory with modern machines, tools, and equipment to provide students with hands-on training in garment construction and other related activities. Our classrooms are spacious and well-lit, with comfortable seating and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, such as projectors and sound systems. We also have well-equipped studios for our students to work on their projects and assignments. Our campus is well-stocked with a wide range of books, journals, and other learning resources, including online databases and e-books, which students can access from anywhere on campus. At IIFD, we understand the importance of providing a safe and comfortable living environment for our students. We have a well-maintained girls' hostel near our campus, which is equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure a comfortable stay for our female students. 

There is a lot of stress that is being made with regard to interaction with the industry as well as companies that recruit. What are the steps being taken by the institute in this direction?

We believe that staying connected with the industry and keeping our students up-to-date with the latest trends and practices is essential for preparing them for successful careers in the fashion industry. We have taken several steps to ensure that our students have ample opportunities to interact with industry professionals and companies that recruit. We have established partnerships with several leading fashion design companies, houses and organizations, which enable our students to gain exposure to real-world projects, internships, and employment opportunities. 

As part of our program and recruitment, we have many reputed fashion companies on board, such as Kids Fashion Week, Times Fashion Week, Couture Runway Week, and many more. Our students get to gain real-world experience in the fashion industry by participating in these events and exploring the industry first-hand. We organise regular guest lectures, workshops, and seminars featuring industry experts, fashion designers, and entrepreneurs, as well as multiple industry visits where our students get the opportunity to visit leading fashion companies and observe their operations first-hand. By staying connected with the industry and providing our students with ample opportunities to interact with industry professionals and companies that recruit, we ensure that our students are well-equipped to succeed in the highly competitive world of fashion.

Internships are now mandatory as per AICTE guidelines. How does your institute help students with this?

An internship is an important part of the academic experience and provides students with exposure to the industry. We have a dedicated career services department that helps our students find internships and employment opportunities with leading fashion companies and organisations. We work closely with our industry partners to identify internship opportunities for our students and ensure that our students have access to a wide range of internships in different areas of fashion design. We organise regular industry visits, guest lectures, and workshops, which provide students with opportunities to interact with industry experts and professionals and learn about the latest trends and practises in the industry. This exposure to the industry helps our students be better prepared for their internships and future careers. By helping our students find internships and providing them with guidance and support throughout the job search process, we ensure that our students are well-equipped to succeed in the highly competitive world of fashion design.

Do you have any collaborations with universities abroad?

We have established collaborations and partnerships with several leading universities, colleges and reputed companies abroad to provide our students with international exposure and the opportunity to study abroad. Our collaborations with these universities and colleges include student exchange programs, joint research projects, and faculty exchange programs. Through these collaborations, our students get the opportunity to study in a multicultural and diverse environment, gain exposure to international teaching methodologies, and learn about the latest trends and practices in the global fashion industry. By collaborating with leading universities abroad, we ensure that our students have access to international exposure and the latest trends and practices in the fashion and textile design industry. Some of our international collaborations include partnerships with universities in Europe, Asia, and North America.