Fashion Management Students Gear Up for Bhuj Craft Visits, Focus on Market Linkages

Daman

Master of Fashion Management (MFM) students of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Daman Campus, are scheduled to undertake curriculum-based craft cluster visits in the Bhuj district, focusing on understanding the craft ecosystem, documenting practices, and exploring market linkages as part of NIFT’s Craft Cluster Initiative. During an interaction with the students, Girish Kumar, Assistant Director (Handicrafts Services), Ahmedabad, encouraged them to approach these visits from an entrepreneurial perspective, emphasising that fashion management professionals can effectively bridge the gap between manufacturers and buyers through their skills in marketing, branding, and business strategy. He underlined that such field engagements help students become better marketers of handloom and handicraft products while sensitising them to the challenges and opportunities within the MSME craft sector.

Later, Girish Kumar met Campus Director, Dr. Sanjay Shrivastava, to discuss the potential for developing handicraft clusters in Daman, exploring how NIFT’s design and management interventions could support local artisans through capacity building, product innovation, and stronger market connections. Dr. Shrivastava underlined that nurturing local craft clusters in collaboration with agencies such as Handicrafts Services aligns with NIFT’s mandate of integrating design, technology, and management to empower artisans and strengthen the handmade sector. He emphasised that such partnerships can help Daman emerge as a hub for sustainable, craft-based enterprises, contributing to both regional development and the national vision of ‘Vocal for Local’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.