Homemakers take up fashion designing

HUBLI: Days are gone when homemakers were involved full time in household works and taking care of their children. Ambitious homemakers in twin cities are getting into fashion designing and interior designing courses with a zeal to equip themselves with a career.A spurt in demand for these courses has also led to a rise in the number of institutes offering them. The number of takers has increased and college students too are taking it up considering the career opportunities available in the field. Farida Khan, who runs Affus Woman Welfare Association's (AWWA) fashion designing institute at Maratha Galli, said: "When we started this institute around five years ago, we had just 5-6 students. Now the strength has increased to 120 among which 70 are homemakers." Jyothi B, centre director, International Institute of Fashion Design on Kusugal road, said: "When we started our institute in 2011, we had only 16 students. Now we have 50 students each in fashion design and interior design courses. Homemakers find this lucrative as they can earn money to support their families sitting at home."Komal Miskin, a student of fashion designing, said: "I got married seven years ago and stay in Switzerland. I'm alone at home after my husband goes to work and it is very difficult for me to spend time. I thought of learning fashion designing so that I can do something from home. I'm doing the course now as I came visiting my family. After completion of the course, I will go back and start working," even we can show our creativity through this kind of work, she added.Yasmin Nadaf, another student, said: "I joined fashion designing course to support my family financially. I have learnt painting, stitching, embroidery and other things. Now I am getting orders and earning some money which is helping out our family to tide over the financial crisis."Rise in numbersAround five years ago, there were few institutions in the city, but now the number has gone up to 30.What they teachDrawing, painting on glass, cloth, wood and pot as well as embroidery and stitchingCareer optionsFashion designers can work in textile and fabric manufacturing units, fashion studios and branded fashion showrooms. Interior designers can work for buildings, offices, airport terminals, theatres, shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals as well as private residences.