With personality enhancement having acquired importance in the life of the people all over the world, up-to-date wardrobes with matching accessories have become the in thing. And this means lots of scope not only for fashion designers, but also for those engaged in designing fashion accessories.

What is accessory designing? Well, it encompasses functions like designing of bags, jewellery, hats, scarves, shoes, belts, ties, and so on. Anything that enhances the look of a garment and adds to the total fashion image of the product falls within the scope of accessory designing.

Designing of accessories is a vast field and one can even choose to do specialised courses. For example one can opt for a career in jewellerydesigning, foot-wear designing or millinery i.e. designing of hats. A point to be mentioned here is that millinery has high demand in the western countries. Moreover, opportunities for studies in this field are better in countries like the US and the UK.

Accessory designing is essentially a field for the creative and the innovative. To begin with, a student should have a keen aesthetic sense. With professional training from any college or institute, students learn the art of transforming their ideas and creativity into new designs which can be both used and admired.

The accessory design programme covers many areas of study. From subjects relating to basic design and liberal arts to those based on skill and knowledge and craft design, a student has to learn a lot. One has to understand design concepts and theory, fashion principles and interpretation of fashion trends as well as markets. ``The knowledge of materials, processes and technologies related to leather goods like belts, footwear and bags, costumeas well as precious jewellery and other fashion accessories is very important,'' says Urmila Bhagat, a diploma holder in accessory design.

Students are also introduced to computer aided design (CAD) during the course. Computers are changing the way designers all over the world are working today. ``Designers are using computers to create innumerable variations of a basic design on the screen. It is time saving as manually the whole process may take days to be completed,'' remarks Rakhi, who has done a CAD course from IEC School of Art and Fashion.

One can study accessory design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi. The government-run NIFT conducts a three year diploma programme in accessory design under the undergraduate design technology courses. Advertisements for NIFT admissions appear in the leading newspapers of each state in the month of November. Those who have obtained at least 50 per cent marks (45 per cent for SC/ST) in their 10+2 examinations, can apply for thecourse.

However, admission to NIFT diploma programmes is strictly on merit as assessed at the entrance examination. The structure of the written examination is such as to test the knowledge, skill, ability and aptitude of the candidates. Those who qualify the written examination are called for a situational test followed by an interview.

Training facilities are also available in several other polytechnics and institutes. The International Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT), New Delhi, conducts a certificate course (six months) as well as a one-year diploma programme in accessory design. New Delhi Polytechnic for women, JD Institute of Fashion Technology (with centres at New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore etc.) and Surat Diamond Institute conduct jewellery designing courses. Jewellery designing is also taught at the Jasani Department of Jewellery Design and Manufacture and SNDT Women's University in Mumbai. The course is designed for five semesters of six months each, after which the students go in for sixmonths of internship in the industry. The Jasani Department also conducts several part time courses, for which even men can enroll.

Those who want to specialise in footwear designing, can acquire training from the following institutes. The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), Noida, offers a one-year diploma course in footwear designing. The institute works closely with the industry and provides job placements for all its students.

Graduates in fine arts, or any other discipline, having a creative aptitude are eligible for this programme. However, admission is through an entrance examination.

One can also study footwear designing at the Shoe Design and Development Centre of the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai. Another option is to train at the Central Footwear Training Institute (CFTI), Small Industries Development Organisation in Chennai and Agra.

Accessory designers find placement in the leather goods industries, jewellery industry, footwear industry and also inother manufacturing firms dealing with fashion accessories.

Career opportunities for qualified designers are extremely bright in the footwear industry. From sling-back boots and stiletto sandals to Chinese print slippers and strappy block heels, designer footwear is fast catching on. Catering to the needs of the rapidly growing footwear industry are the footwear designers who create new and eye-catching designs.

Professionals can either work as design stylists or as technical designers. Moreover, with production of footwear reserved for the small-scale sector and the capital investment being very low, the footwear industry provides great scope for entrepreneurs.

Trained accessory designers and jewellery designers get jobs in precious and costume jewellery industries, export houses and buying agencies. Many big jewellery stores like Tanishq and Gili employ designers.

According to Meera Menon, course director, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, jewellery designers can also work in the productiondepartment of the jewellery manufacturing firms. The remuneration for trainee designers is around Rs 5,000. But some big organisations do pay higher starting salaries to deserving candidates. Experienced professionals may also opt for freelancing and entrepreneurship.

Accessory designers also find work in firms dealing with the manufacture of bags, purses and other such items. With embellishments like crystals, beads, shells and sequins being used in innovative designs and unconventional combinations, the designers work is getting recognised in the industry. So, the designers who can transform their knowledge to original and creative designs and possess the skills of visualisation and material manipulation, can fetch good salaries in this line.

With the field providing a variety of job options and the scope for specialisation, accessory designing has surely become a happening career for people with a creative bend of mind.