MERAKI - NIFT HYDERABAD College Magazine

AUGUST 2021 | nift hyd Issue 01

MERAKI
a part of all of us

NIFT HYDERABAD IN

focus

soulfind the

of entertainment

Meet our achievers HOPE

here Is all we have at the end

Cover Page Illustration by Shivani Chiluka, AD III

“Beginning with a cup of tea”
Photograph by:
Hetvi Shah.

FD department

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Greetings, the students of NIFT Hyderabad and the

Iam delighted to announce that NIFT team behind the magazine, to showcase
Hyderabad is coming out with its first their abilities, and develop teamwork. I
digital edition of the Campus Magazine hope that this magazine will bring out the
“Meraki”. I say this with immense joy that best artistic, literary, and creative ability
the moment this magazine is launched, it of students to the forefront and help
will be a step forward to new beginnings towards documenting all the work and
at NIFT Hyderabad, as it begins by saying activities that goes on in the campus.
“We all have unique colours and different As this magazine will be sustainably
fragments to fill in the canvas of life.”, and present, just a click away on our official
that is what we have been learning from website, it is conscious of the
the current crisis, in the midst of a global environment and will become a digital
pandemic. In the past one and half years window showcasing what’s brewing at
our zealous students, our competent fac- NIFT Hyderabad.
ulties and our hard-working staff have Let’s cherish this as a start to NIFT
been adapting and learning to deal with Hyderabad’s own literature, and a
the situations created by the pandemic. community which is held by the pillars of
Campus environment provides warmth of support, knowledge, creativity, and
the community and students have been passion.

missing it because of online classes,
which I believe this magazine will fill the Regards,
Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri IAS
gap.

The magazine will provide a platform for

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 3

03
08
14

Director’s Note Student Humans Of Nift
............. 3 Achievements ............. 14
............. 8
Joint Director’s Recommendations
Note Creative Corner ............. 16
............. 6 ............. 10
Small Businesses
Editor’s Note Focus of ............. 20
............. 7 the Month
............. 13

Case Study: 19Faculty Guide
Fast Fashion Vs 24............. 24
Slow Fashion
............. 19 C O NT E NTS

Clubs Focus
............. 20

Team Page
............. 22

Joint
Director’s

message

It gives me immense pleasure to know editorial team for the hard work and ded-
that “Meraki”, NIFT Hyderabad’s ication they have invested in putting to-

Campus magazine, is ready for gether the myriad thoughts and dreams of

publication. True to its name, this our students and faculty into a meaningful

magazine gives an insight into the range and delightful visual fest called “Meraki”.

and scope of the imagination and

creativity of our students. I am sure that This will mark the beginning of a new lit-

the magazine will be a source of great erary tradition at NIFT Hyderabad, and one

interest among students and will give that will follow for years to come.

them a chance to showcase their literary

and creative skills. I trust this magazine I convey my best wishes to the students,

reflects the uniqueness of our institution. staff and faculty for all future endeavours.

The magazine brings in colour and
spark and it will be an archive of all the
activities that have been happening in the
college and a gateway to learning about all L. Madan Kumar Reddy
things fashion and campus life. This cre- Joint Director
ative endeavor is a perfect amalgamation
of both successful education which is
inspiring innovation. This magazine will
bring certain interaction and act as a
bridge towards building camaraderie and
community spirit in students.
I congratulate and applaud the

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Greetings

The evenings, the memories and the canteens remind us, the purpose of a

melodies, community that college ambience serves.

The stairways, the canteens, the corridors, Many of us are missing out, where some

The Sleepless nights, whimsical of us had the fortune to feel the winds

mornings and the sunshine from the within sparkling stone walls, others can’t

classroom windows, wait to place their first step onto the

All this and more with the colours of NIFT campus slates. The purpose of this

Hyderabad. magazine is to be the lens to a world we

call NIFT Hyderabad. The magazine will

It has been a rocky roll path, considering sing to its readers about the support

the vicious circle of the pandemic which system, energy, aesthetics of every soul

is taking a toll on all of us. In such at NIFT.

uncertain times we begin to grab on to the

good things, cling to it like a baby, clings It will also be an inclusive space for

to their bed time stories. After all hope is students to translate their works into the

all, we have at the end of the day. elite history and literary spirit for the rest

of eternity. As a collaborative effort this

Amidst these shadows our college is magazine will focus on threading each

trying to make the most of it, by clinging and every member at NIFT Hyderabad

to “Meraki”, our very first e-magazine, in into a weave of talent, skill, and not to

the hope of a million stories that take us forget, fashion.

right back into the heart of the campus.

Regards

The breathing walls, the sunlit Editorial Team

classrooms, the alive and kicking

Pallavi Soni, Vaidehi M., Nayansi Singh, Divya T., Raish Alam, Ayusha Gaikwad, Gayatri Gundu

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 7

Ms Sashirekha Dande

On 7th August, we celebrate Handloom day to honour the handloom community and
acknowledge their contribution to India’s socio-economic development. It is an honour
that Ms Sashirekha Dande, who is currently pursuing MFM (batch 2020-22), got the
opportunity to represent NIFT. She is the only student in 20 years to be selected in such
a prestigious event to present her collection. Ms Dande dedicated six months to this
project, and her efforts are commendable. She was honoured by our Minister of Munic-
ipal Administration & Urban Development, Sri. KT Rama Rao Garu for the same. All of
us feel exalted and proud of her achievement.

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Ms Nayan Thara P

Nothing makes an institute more
proud than seeing their students
excel in life and achieve glory. Ms
Nayan Thara (2017-21) from the
FD department provided us
with such an opportunity as she
secured AIR 2 in the M.des
entrance exam at NID. We believe
she has set an example with her
incredible performance and here
is what she has to say to the
aspiring readers

“The moment NID results were
declared, I was thrilled and
emotional. Preparation for M.Des
parallel to my Design Collection was indeed a roller coaster ride. Since NID conducts
discipline specific entrance examinations, keeping an update about the latest
happenings in the industry, be it technological, environmental or social related to the
chosen discipline as well as an insight to trend forecast for upcoming seasons helped
me crack my prelims.
Also, creating a balanced portfolio helped me getting an edge during the interview
round. I am grateful to my parents and faculty at NIFT for their timely guidance and
encouragement.”

We are incredibly proud of her achievement and all of us at NIFT Hyderabad wish Ms
Thara a bright future filled with glorious creations.

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FOCUS
OF THE MONTH

We all recognize the importance of being
able to start fresh; to aquaint ourselves
with new colours, seasons and life
patterns. A fresh start to the first e-mag-
azine at NIFT aims at bringing in new and
old colours, a scope that embraces the
endevours of students, and all the working
staff from the past, present and future.

Although our academics and college life
has taken a shift onto the virtual world,
but our life learnings have never been
barred behind a shiny screen. This edition
will have it’s own moments cherishing the
light and dark days that the circle of pan-
demic has given us. We are trying to find
a ray of hope even in the dark, just like the
dingy corner of a Kaleidoscope, giving us
new imaginations, and new patterns.When
we learn to love what we have with us in
the present, the future becomes free from
fears. The strength to endure anything and
everything becomes our sword and we
start enjoying the shades, tones, hues and
patterns revolving around us.

NIFT Hyderabad believes in communica- The theme signifies that inspiration which

tion through art, tradition, heritage and not welcomes everyone from here on. Like a

to forget the vivid splashes of colours and million patterns, Meraki too believes in

creativity. The pandemic might keep us at bringing minds and souls together into a

different corners, but we are all painting glowing piece of art, which we call “The

this picture together. Kaleidoscope”.

Illustration by Elesha Suryawanshi, FC V

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 13

humans of nift hyd

A chat with Ishika Gupta, who graduated from NIFT Hyderabad in 2021 from
Textile Design department

Why did you choose NIFT? What inspired you?

My family background has been textiles for fifty
plus years. I had grown up among textiles, being
from the city of Jaipur.
Because of the same interests, soon I will pursue
my dream of becoming an entrepreneur as of next
year, where I will be launching my brand.
I opted for textiles and aimed to get into NIFT as
it’s the pioneer institute to learn about Textiles and
Fashion.

How was your experience in NIFT?

If we go towards academics, it was very hectic as
usual. Loads and loads of assignments and very
less sleep but I think it was all worth it. Now that we
are applying for internships and jobs, being a
NIFTian gives you major brownie points, as our level
of hand to software, hard to soft materials is what
the industry looks for. The assignments also come
handy when we go for internships and jobs.
I recently got a job at Aditya Birla group. So, I am assuming the pressure handling and competence
will become my swords in the industry. Apart from that, platforms like spectrum and converge
helps you grow as an individual and contribute to team efforts and good experiences.

What are the major things that people should keep in mind while making their portfolio?

Being in Textile Design department you complete the work because of the pressure and the time
constraint. It’s funny that you don’t realize it but all the work, burning and sleepless nights that you
put in the three years, it pays you back in the final year. It was a good thing because now you have
potential work to put in the portfolio.
For the portfolio I decided to go hassle-free because we have a lot of technology as a leverage of
doing things online. So, I have my portfolio on Behance and in my experience people prefer
Behance over pdfs or over any other media.

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ISHIKA GUPTA humans of nift hyd

How did you make networks or how to build professional connections?

Okay so one thing I can tell you is that from first year itself you will get a lot of opportunities for
volunteering or some internship as one or two-days projects. You should always grab those
opportunities or events because when I bagged my first internship that was in the second year itself
and it was a paid internship which I think now people are not getting even after four years of pursuing
the degree.

Connect with people over Instagram don’t be hesitant that if I send this DM to someone will they reply
or not? Just send it and ask them to connect with you. Convey that you have this particular skill set
and this is what you can offer, and you will have your dream opportunities knocking.

What three advices you would give to current or aspiring students?

The three advices I would give to a Textile Design student,
firstly, please don’t take your assignments lightly complete them on time because as I told you after
fourth year you will have everything ready to put in your portfolio. So don’t cheat or don’t take it from
others or have any other alternatives.
Secondly, thing would be to make a network strong, you can do it in the four years of college. This
is very easy as compared to doing it after college because the connections you make in college you
can’t make it after that. So participate in whatev-
er events you can and definitely you will get some
connections from there to start with.
Third, start doing internships even if you are getting
it from your first-year. Grab that
opportunity because once you start doing
internships, by fourth year you will have
something to put in your resume. Go for internships
as early as possible!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I find my inspiration from travel as much as I I
can. Don’t travel to find inspiration but to charge if
yourself, do take a break and travel not in the sense
that go for a long 5 to 10 days trip
It also means to take a break from your working life
or from hostel or college and go outside to relax
maybe in a café or a mall.
I would say a big no to copying from Pinterest. Even
your idea is not good as the one on Pinterest go with it.
Try doing things by yourself because nobody is going to spoon feed you. Don’t sit idle.

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R E CO MMENDATIO NS

MOVIES & TV

The Pursuit of Wonder The Bold Type, TV series The Good Place, TV series
Happyness (2006) (2017) (2017-2021) (2016-2020)

MUsic

Toothbrush, DNCE Dil Mere, The Local Flavors of Love, Monsta Love Talk, WayV (2019)
(2016) Train X (2021)
english version

documentaries

Georgia O’Keefe: Por- The True Cost In Vogue: The Editor’s Dada: The Original Art
trait of an artist Eye Rebel Documentary

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podcasts

Designed This Way Design Matters

Books

A Contract with God, It Ends With Us, In My Fashion, Steal like an Artist,
Will Eisner Colleen Hoover Bettina Ballard Austin Kleon

influencers

Patrick Ta Francis Lola Ishita Mangal Anna Vitiello
@patrickta @francislola @ishitamangal @annarvitiello

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 17

SMALL BUSINESSES

you should check out today!

The Sibling Store H.giftings

IG: @thesiblingstore_pune IG: @h.giftings
“It all started with Rakshabandhan When it’s about gifting photo frames
fortnight. Due to the lockdown every- to someone we all try to fit in boxes by
thing was closed and I could not buy gifting same old frames. Instead Hetvi
rakhis for my brother. It was then that I thought of why not treating people or
thought to make rakhis which was also their loved ones with memories in un-
my eureka moment! It occured to me usual way & hence she came up with
that, if I cannot buy good rakhis, then it “H.Giftings”, a place where people can
was a dilemma that everyone else was gift memories in the most unique &
facing too. And so, the idea of ‘The creative way. Her small business of-
Sibling Store’ was conceived.” fers memories made with love in the
“A pandemic can never dampen your form of digital illustration frames, resin
festive spirit”. The Sibling Store have frames, phone cases and laminated il-
offered products like rakhi, eco- lustrations.
friendly Ganesha, Diwali hampers and Owner- Hetvi Shah, FD dept.
a lot of eco-friendly goods as the festi-
val approaches. Arziyan
Owner- Pranjal Sanklecha, KD dept.
IG: @arziyanofficial
The owner of the brand Arziyan is
Anjali Yadav. She launched a home-
grown brand and named it ARZIYAN.
It offers tie-dye, explosion of colors
and botancial pattern products.
Every single piece of clothing from
the brand is an art, which opens to
interpretation and can fit everyone as
they wish. The brand tells how one
thing can be used in different situa-
tions potentially.
Owner- Anjali Yadav, B.Ftech dept.

Label Pitara

IG: @labelpitara
Label Pitara is a small business owned by Ananya Saxena and her aunt.
During the mordern time, when people are running towards achieving beau-
ty standards, she wanted to bring up something that enhances the beauty
which is raw and unfiltered. That’s where she came up with Pitara. Ananya
and her aunt always had common aesthetics, and wanted to work together
and so during the lockdown, they thought of initiating this. The brand is a
unique amalgamation of desi and bold fashion sense all together, every-
thing from bhagalpuri to bohemian. All the products are inspired by the raw
beauty of everything that exists, embraces the beauty of people of all gen-
ders and all age groups.

Owners- Ananya Saxena (TD dept.) and Dr. Archana Khare

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By: Nandini Kapu p u b l i s h e d o n fa s h i o n n ovat i o n
DFT III

fast fashion
VS slow fashion

A case study

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 19

esse: the literary &
environment, dramatics CLUB
social service &
ethics club Debates, discussions, poetry, creative
writing, organizing and management
The Environmental, Social Service of different kinds of events, sharing
& Ethics Club of NIFT hosts different experiences, the Literary Club brings
competitions and events celebrating them all out on the table. “Words are
multiple festivals both Indian (like the most inexhaustible source of
Onam, Dushera Mela, Mahalaya) and magic, capable of both inflicting
International (like Halloween). The injury and remedying it. ”And it is
Dusshera Mela is one of the most words the Literary Club like to play
popular events hosted by the club with. The Literary Club keeps
before students go home for Diwa- searching for new ideas and creative-
li vacations. Along with celebratory ly criticizing existing ones.
events, the club also hosts numer-
ous social events like blood donation
drives, donation camps and NGO vis-
its to sensitise students toaspects
of socially inclusive growth. Health
Week is a special initiative taken by
the club, during which various camps
are put up and free of cost medical
aid and check up is provided to the
students and
faculty.

20 | MERAKI AUG 2021

the cultural CLUB sports,

The Cultural Club has students from adventure &
different academic years and
departments, with a common photography
interest in cultural affairs. Various
events are conducted, inviting artists CLUB
and performers for cultural
interactions. Spectrum, the annual The Sports, Adventure & Photography
fest of the Institute, is coordinated by Club is responsible for all visual
the Cultural Club. The fashion team, communication activities (lights,
the dance team, the music team etc. camera and action) however, their
work in coordination with the club. responsibilities and initiatives are
not restricted to the above. The club
members also help other students de-
velop their skills in photography. The
Club believes in testing the knowl-
edge gained in an adverse condition,
in environments which can’t be con-
trolled and hence they also organize
various photo-walks and photo-trips.
The Sports Club promotes all
activities related to Sports. The
various sports promoted include
Table Tennis, Volleyball, Basketball,
Badminton, Throwball and Cricket.
The activities are divided into leagues
according to the sport. Throughout
the year, the leagues encourage
participation among the students
through on-campus tournaments.
The core teams across campuses
compete in the main annual Meet,
Converge. Some teams also get op-
portunities for competing in sports
events hosted by other colleges.

MERAKI AUG 2021 | 21

the TEAM

FROM LEFT: Raish Alam, DFT; T Divya, DFT; Pallavi Soni, FC; Nayansi Singh, FD
ed itor i a l

Build your own Pyramids, write You never know what life has I will be the one with a warm Only here to show my kids that
your own Hieroglyphs! in store for you! smile on my face, coffee in my their mom was hot!
hand and solutions for you in

my mind.

content I Whisper their poems, and talk When life goes wrong play Words are an immortal part of With souls made of flames,
with Fashion. I sing my novels, some Daler Mehndi’s songs! a memory. we’re all just stars with
people’s names.
and dance with Vogue.

FROM LEFT ABOVE:

Vaidehi M, TD (Team
lead)
Mehak Mishra, FC
Aishwarya Gupta, TD
Sheryl Anna Biju, AD

BELOW:

Nitya Devgan, KD
Shivani Singh, AD
Gauravee Pathak, FC

Making the most out of no The light soaked days are Daughter of earth, lover of the
time.       coming. sea.

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design FROM LEFT ABOVE:

Gayatri Gundu, FC
(Team lead)
Nishtha Piplia, FC
Shivani Chiluka, AD

BELOW:

Tanmayee Waikar, FC
Mallika Dhawan, TD
Shristi Pandey, FC
Noyonika Chatterjee, AD

I think I work with flawed logic! I don’t think, therefore I’m not... I’m the one who’s most likely
to abandon my room
because of lizards.

Shhhh... Tanmayee’s in her To an introvert Mallika, I found I could say things Life is a kaleidoscope of
own world! Everyone- How are you so with color and shapes that I myriad colours, many have an
couldn’t say any other way. image but few get the picture.
extrovert?

M A R K E T I NG Everyone talks to the moon a Mirroring everything towards I believe in making most of the A free spirited person always
different tale! creativity! moments that life brings us! looking for a creative platform.

FROM LEFT ABOVE:

Ayusha Gaikwad, MFM
(Team lead)
Santoshi Paladugu, AD
Gunjika Kaushik, TD
Diksha Laxmi, FD

BELOW:

Rishika Chourasia, FC
Nehal Ajmera, KD
Shreyasi Roy, MFM

Be you and be unique!   A Fashion Junkie who scales Women who wear black, live MERAKI AUG 2021 | 23
ethnic to modern perfectly. colorful lives!

K. Anant Phani F A CULTY GU I D E s
Associate Professor

JYOthirmai
singothu

Associate Professor

sharmila sure
Associate Professor

Gajam Rajesh
kumar

Associate Professor

24 | MERAKI AUG 2021

Back Page Illustration by Rajshree Jajoo, TD V

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NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY, HYDERABAD