MUMBAI: Having dressed some of India’s most famous and having styled them for blockbusters, the teacher in Neeta Lulla came calling to give back to students in her own way. Under the guidance of fashion designer, Neeta Lulla and filmmaker Subhash Ghai at Whistling Woods International (WWI) School of Film, Fashion and Media, The Neeta Lulla School of Fashion (launched in September, 2013) aims at giving students an in-depth knowledge of various fashion verticals and gaining hands-on experience within the field. It is located in the Film City in the premises of WWI. Neeta Lulla had been
teaching students at various colleges before she decided to start the school.
“Giving back what I have learnt over the years to students of this generation is something that always gives me immense satisfaction. Having delivered several lectures, seminars and workshops across various colleges over the last few years, I think fashion education in India needs to advance. It is time for us to understand and build professionals who can excel in the diverse job profiles available within the fashion industry, and do it with the sincere approach that is deserving of an industry, which contributes over 4 per cent to the country’s GDP,” says dean Neeta Lulla. Subhash Ghai serves as the Chairman and Meghna Ghai-Puri as the President.
Courses offered
The school offers a two-year Advanced Diploma in Fashion (Rs. 7 lakh fee) and a one-year Diploma in Fashion (Rs. 4 lakh). They aspire to take the learning in these courses beyond just designing. They want to open up avenues to the many fast-growing and alternate career options in fashion, in tandem with design — styling, fashion marketing, communication, fashion photography and accessory designing.
Honing students to fit the needs of the dynamic fashion industry, the course will focus on developing domain skills like knowledge of textiles, draping, illustration and much more. Soft skills and other activities like Yoga, etiquette and personality development are also part of the courses.
Some of the subjects offered are Pattern Drawing and Sewing Techniques, Art and Illustration, Draping and Design, History of Indian and World Costumes, Fashion Coordination, Visual Merchandising, Styling, and Fashion Journalism. An internship will be included in the course. The students’ assessment is done on the basis of assignments undertaken throughout the year and internship progress.
Siddharth Lulla who manages the school says, “My mother realised 10 years ago that there is a clear need for fashion aspirants to look beyond the urge to be a fashion designer when pursuing a career in fashion. They also need to focus on building their strengths. She and Subhash Ghai wanted to open this back then, but it happened only recently. Now she is sharing her experience from over three decades (teaching in schools like SNDT Fashion University, Mumbai) in the fashion and film industry.”
Mentors galore
To help this along, they have the best in equipment and space allotted for students. On the advisory board are many stalwarts like fashion designers Nachiket Barve, Wendell Rodricks, Mickey Contractor, director Make up Artistry of MAC India, fashion photographer Joy Datta, Ex Editor of Femina, Sathya Saran, fashion journalist Meher Castellano and others from the industry. Their academic advisors are designers Anita Dongre, James Ferreira and the list goes on.
The added advantage
They believe that their idyllic location at the film city gives their students an added advantage, exposing them to many avenues across films and television. They also hold Master Classes for students where they get to meet stalwarts from the industry and interact with them.
Admissions are on!
While the first batch of the advanced diploma classes was inducted last year, admissions are on now for the one-year diploma programme. Graduates of Class XII with a flair for fashion, keen interest and basic sketching skills can apply for these courses and write an entrance exam which will be held on July 12, followed by a personal interview.
— preethi@newindianexpress.com