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Since 1995, Ritu has built the institute’s credibility, taking it to prestigious forums and a remarkable international clientele. The creative force behind INIFD’s evolution into an academic Mecca and the alma mater of many acclaimed designers, she initiated avant-garde trends and contemporary course curricula by fusing modern influences with a focus on Art, Business, Design, Mass Communication, and Technology connected to the fashion industry.
Ritu has spearheaded international collaborations with London Fashion Week and New York fashion week. She led panelist for the knowledge workshop series at Lakme Fashion Week, groomed and mentored finalists for the Femina Miss India pageant, and shaped fashion sensibility through media content and talk shows on platforms like Big FM, My FM, & BBC London.
Celebrated Designers of INIFD felicitated by HCI in London after the success of
Khadi Day: Khadi Utsav Fashion Showcase at The London Fashion Show 2023
The London Fashion Show 2023
Let’s Get Inspired
In Conversation with RITU KOCHHAR
– Preeti Juneja
Q. What motivated you to start your institute, and who inspired you?
In 1994, just out of school, I wanted to pursue a career in Design (it wasn’t a popular choice back then ). Due to a lack of good and affordable choices in and around my city, I found it difficult to pursue my passion. That’s when I realized many more like me would face the same problem. I gave it a good thought, and with loads of planning, we started INIFD in 1995. Blessings almighty; from a very small setup, Today, we are the largest design setup in the country.
Q. How do you approach challenges and setbacks in your leadership role?
Success is no accident; it is Hard Work, Perseverance, Learning and Studying, Sacrifice, and most of all, Love of what you are doing or learning to do.
Starting years at INIFD, the ultimate boot camp, helped prepare me for life as a Founder and an Entrepreneur. “I was just a teenager; it was a dream come true,” I would say.
However, it was incredibly tough with grueling long hours in creating and structuring course content, defining the academics and managing the team to deliver success, and finally replicating and expanding the institute to a pan India level. The learning was multi-fold; while I worked to establish a successful brand, I also invested in myself academically.
This whole experience strengthened my work ethic. It made me an innovative leader.
Success was sweet.
Q. How do you foster a culture of inclusivity and diversity within your organization or team?
We are a team of diversely creative, dedicated, and talented people who are relentlessly trying to learn & evolve with time. Delivering the best education to our young designers and inspiring them to create a place for themselves in the design industry, irrespective of who they are and where they are from (gender, class, preferences, etc.), is my forte.
Q. What advice would you give aspiring female leaders facing career barriers or biases?
So much inspiration is out there, motivating us to do better and raise our goals. If we follow it, we will be successful in what we do.
Q. How do you balance your personal life and professional responsibilities as a leader?
Balancing work and personal life is overrated. It is not as difficult as people make it to be. You need to prioritize right. There will be days when you mess up badly, but it’s all right. We are humans, and we are bound to make mistakes. More importantly, you need to learn from your mistakes. Take a hard look at all you’ve done and get back on track. God has been kind to me by giving me a partner who believes in sharing all the responsibilities and duties …knock on wood (sic).
Q. What strategies do you use to encourage innovation and creativity within your team?
I always tell my team that we can never know everything. It’s evolving by the hour, and we must keep working on ourselves. We need to keep pressing the refresh button from time to time. Keep learning, inventing, evolving, and experimenting.
Q. How do you handle difficult decisions that may not be popular but are necessary?
I take the risk, experiment, and learn from it. I have created a strong super team over the years, and I’m sure they know why the particular decision had to be made. Just be truthful, fair & transparent with your teammates.
Q. How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset in adversity?
Being creative in fashion and design is not a hobby; it’s a way of life. It keeps me motivated at all times. Over the years, I’ve learned to control my mind (a tat bit more than before). I believe in destiny, and I believe in the magic of the universe. You ask, believe & receive. If I’m unhappy about a situation … it’s a clue from the universe to move on!
Q. What role do mentorship and networking play in your leadership development?
Looking up to someone is very important to keep yourself inspired & motivated. That’s when your mentor comes in. Networking plays an important role not only in our profession but in all others as well. You may have the talent, but you need to step into the right door.
Q. As a woman leader, do you believe women bring unique strengths and perspectives to leadership roles?
You become a good leader not because of the power or position, man or woman. You become a good leader because of your ability to empower others. Stand up for others and guide others to success. A good leader must see beyond self and discover his team’s potential. Boost their confidence & give them opportunities to prove themselves.
Rapid-Fire:
- If you were the brand ambassador, which brand would you choose and why? Forest Essentials. I love what they have created using what we, as a country, master.
- If you want to revive a fashion trend or industry, which one would it be? Bring back the trend of draping double sarees. The way our mothers would wear it.
- What comes to your mind when someone says “Evergreen” Smile/Laughter
- Which country or place has inspired you in your work? Traveling is definitely a great source of inspiration for me. No particular place as such.
- Designer, Educator, or Entrepreneur, which is your personal favorite? An educator for sure …. is constantly learning in the process.
One-Liners:
- Fashion is Story Telling
- Ritu like to reimagine, re-create & reinvent old pre-lived pieces
- Waking up to create beautiful things & help people create the same everyday
- No matter what, I will be who I am and stand for what I believe in
- I want to see a change in the consumption of Fast Fashion
MEDIA ARTICLES
About Author
RITU KOCHHAR
Founder of the Inter National Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Ritu has trained thousands of students and grown the INIFD franchisee to 100 centres of learning in India and abroad. At the helm of a prolific and successful brand, she has evolved as a strong fashion and design mentor, fashion curator, and academician.
23rd August 2023
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