Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
Book Name:FASHION JOURNALISM_ A Career Guide
Author: Dwijendra Kumar
Language: English
Year of Publication: 2023
Cost: Rs 200
Publisher: Advik Publication Pvt. Ltd. 41, Hasanpur, I.P. Extension, Patparganj, Delhi-110092
Edith Head says “You can have anything you want in Life if you dress for it” and Miuccia Prada quotes “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is an instant language.”
Yes, we live in a world which is very much cautious for trending fashion and almost everyone yearns for it. Some prefer to go for style, a loud one and others prefer with a touch of simplicity but inner instinct is the same to step ahead being tagged with prevailing trends. The choices may differ but desire is the same to look attractive and Fashion intervenes a lot in this direction. Fashion has dominated our lives to such an extent that it has emerged as a big industry whether from Garments to Make-up kits etc. This ever fast growing industry has opened new options for the youths to opt fashion journalism as their career. Although in foreign countries, there is a larger scope in this field but slowly and gradually the young generation here is also showing an urge to step in and this book ‘FASHION JOURNALISM_ A Career Guide’ may guide them towards their destination.
About Author:
Dwijendra Kumar, presently working as an Assistant Editor at National Book Trust (NBT) New Delhi is a well-known fashion journalist having vast experience of writing on fashion related news, features and articles that have been published in leading fashion magazines and newspaper columns for national dailies like Deccan Herald etc. He has also worked for prestigious news agency of India, Press Trust of India (PTI) at its New Delhi Headquarters and authored about 25 Careers in Textile, Garment and Fashion and A Career to Fashion Designing. In addition to writing skills, he has also proved his worth as a speaker on the subject at prestigious Universities of the country.
About Book:
“FASHION JOURNALISM_ A Career Guide” is an informative book for the young generation aspiring to make their career as a fashion journalist. The book contains variety of articles which are of immense help for the students. As is quite evident from the title of the book itself, this book has the contents that act as a guide for the aspiring ones.
In the preface of the book, the author writes that Fashion may be considered as an exhibition of one’s desire to live a good life. However it is often confined to the garments worn by the elites and celebrities of the high society resulting in the ignorance of the fashion preferences of a large number of middle class people who also further the growth of this industry by following the trending fashion style. He further adds that one of the four Vedas, Rigveda is supposed to contain the first literary information about textiles in India. It says, “The Universe is a continuous fabric with a grid pattern upon which cycles of life are painted.” It also refers to the use of woolen yarn to cover the body. Ramayana and Mahabharata too refer to a variety of fabrics in vogue those days and demonstrate rich styles worn by aristocracy on one hand and the simple clothes worn by commoners on the other.
The author has elaborated the core issues through different write-ups like “Milestones in Indian Fashion: The Garments”, “Indian Clothes: From Ancient to Modern Times”, “Fashion Journalists: Duties and Responsibilities”, “Fashion Journalists: Other Career Options”, “Few Valuable tips for the aspiring fashion journalists”, “Fashion Designing, Fashion Photography, Modelling and Pageants”, “Fibre, Fabric and Garment”, “Fashion Journalism: Publications, Magazines and Websites”, “Terms&Terminologies”.
In a couple of articles, the author has made comparative study of the fashion trends in ancient India and modern times with a focus on Garment Industry. He pleads that one should have detailed knowledge of the field before stepping into it. If you have to cover a story or make news thus working as a reporter, editor, content creator or freelance contributor then the knowledge of the backdrop and the trending fashion is of immense help. In order to become more professional in approach and prove mettle, one should seek training to learn the basic principles and expertise in those streams so that he or she should be equipped with knowledge and expression. He is of the opinion that mere reporting of the fashion shows and trends does not qualify you as a true fashion journalist, but the duties you perform and how much you fulfill your responsibilities as a fashion journalist is the core point.
In this book, the author has categorically mentioned that rather sticking to reporting only, a fashion journalist may explore certain other options also like as a Fashion Influencer, Fashion Communicator, Fashion Director, Personal Stylist and Image Consultant, Fashion Blogger and Vlogger, Fashion Merchandiser etc.
In this era, when unemployment is at peak and the young generation is undergoing all sort of stress and strain, exploring various options for generation of income to live a comfortable life is the necessity of time.If Fashion Industry has been offering so many options, then ‘Fashion Journalism’ may also emerge as another option for the needy and interested ones. But, the only concern is that, is there a scope for that? It may be at metro cities but within certain limitations whereas the young generation of comparatively smaller cities seems more frustrated for lack of opportunities.
Nevertheless, one has to move on with all positivity and Life is all about it. This book will certainly guide the youths offering them a career with all hopes that it will flourish in this part of world also.The book also contains the contact details of a few leading training institutes which may help those who wish to opt fashion journalism as a career. The cover page of the book is quite attractive and 102 pages book has the material that will be helpful for the aspiring talent in exploring the glamour world of Fashion.
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