Riya’s journey into celebrity styling shows how hands-on college experiences—like styling shoots and fashion shows—prepare students for the fast-paced industry.
Aarav didn’t wait until graduation—he used his college projects to develop, test, and eventually launch his own streetwear label.
Sana found her passion in content creation and education, proving that fashion careers aren’t limited to design studios—they can flourish online too.
Mentorship, peer feedback, and project showcases during college play a huge role in helping students build confidence and direction.
Every successful career begins with a dream—but that dream needs direction, training, and the right environment to grow. In the world of fashion, this often starts at design school. It’s where ideas take shape, where creativity is sharpened, and where young minds begin to discover their place in a fast-paced industry.
Pune has quietly become one of India’s most exciting cities for fashion education. With its mix of creative energy, modern campuses, skilled faculty, and close proximity to industry hubs like Mumbai, the city has built a strong reputation for developing future fashion professionals. And behind every classroom and portfolio, there are real people—students who walked into college with ambition and walked out with a career.
This article brings together some of the most inspiring fashion institute success stories Pune has seen in recent years. These are stories of transformation, hard work, and the right support. Whether it’s a student building a brand, styling celebrities, teaching fashion online, or designing for luxury labels, each of these individuals started with the same foundation: passion, education, and belief in their potential.
Through their experiences, you’ll see the power of a well-rounded fashion education and how the right institute—like NIF Pune Kothrud—can guide students not only to jobs but to purpose-driven careers.
Background
Riya M. joined NIF Pune Kothrud with a love for personal style and an eye for fashion detail. She wasn’t sure at first whether she wanted to become a designer or a stylist—but her first styling workshop changed everything.
What Set Her Apart
Career Highlights
After graduation, Riya moved to Mumbai and assisted with photo shoots and ad campaigns. Her persistence and portfolio helped her land a spot on a professional stylist’s team. She now works behind the scenes on music videos, influencer shoots, and celebrity styling jobs.
In Her Words
“What I learned at NIF helped me hit the ground running. I wasn’t just watching others—I was already styling in college. That gave me the courage to say yes to real work.”
Key Takeaway
Styling is not just a skill—it’s a mindset. When students get the chance to practice early, they can enter the industry ready for action.
Background
Aarav S. joined NIF Pune Kothrud with one big goal: to build his brand. He loved street fashion, skate culture, and global youth trends, and he wanted to create something original that reflected those trends.
How He Used His Time in College
The Brand Launch
Aarav developed a five-look capsule collection under his brand name in his final year. It was showcased at a student event and posted on Instagram, where it caught attention. After graduation, he launched his edgy streetwear brand using recycled fabrics and bold graphics. His work is now sold online and in popup stores in Pune and Bangalore.
In His Words
“Every design project I did in college became part of my brand story. I didn’t wait—I started while I was still learning.”
Key Takeaway
Entrepreneurship begins with small steps. The right institute can help students turn ideas into action and concepts into collections.
Background
Sana R. loved design but didn’t see herself working in a traditional design studio. She loved to teach, explain, and share ideas. While studying at NIF Pune, she discovered a new passion—content creation and education.
How She Found Her Niche
Career Evolution
After graduating from the degree program run and offered by Medhavi Skills University, Sana launched an online course teaching beginners the basics of fashion. She also runs a growing YouTube channel, hosts workshops, and works as a digital consultant with small brands.
In Her Words
“My teachers supported my path—even though it was different. I used what I learned to create something new, something useful.”
Key Takeaway
There’s more than one way to succeed in fashion. The right environment helps students discover and build on their unique strengths.
Background
Ishaan K. was drawn to high-end fashion, history, and construction. While most of his peers explored fast fashion or streetwear, Ishaan focused on slow, detailed, and elegant design rooted in global luxury aesthetics.
His Journey Through College
Career Milestone
After graduation, Ishaan applied to a luxury fashion house in Delhi. His strong portfolio, attention to detail, and recommendation from faculty helped him land an internship that quickly turned into a full-time role. He now contributes to seasonal collections and helps design pieces for high-profile clients.
In His Words
“Fashion is in the details. My college helped me see that quality matters—and that I could match up with the best if I worked with focus.”
Key Takeaway
With the right training and dedication, students can go from campus to couture—proving that talent and technique know no limits.
Background
While not an alumna, Bollywood actress Nushrratt Bharuccha played a major role in highlighting the success and growing visibility of NIF Global on the national stage. Her participation as a showstopper at Lakmé Fashion Week in March 2025 marked a turning point for the institute and its students.
Event Highlights
What It Meant for the Students
For the young designers behind the collection, the experience was unforgettable. They not only designed for a national audience but saw their work come to life for a major celebrity. The preparation taught them the realities of production timelines, quality control, styling coordination, and backstage execution.
In Their Words
“We never imagined our college collection would walk at Lakmé Fashion Week—let alone be worn by a Bollywood star. It gave us the confidence to dream bigger and work harder,” said one of the lead student designers from the collection.
Key Takeaway
When a fashion institute connects students directly to national platforms and celebrity-driven showcases, it builds credibility, confidence, and real-world readiness. Opportunities like these prepare students not just for graduation—but for the spotlight.
Every success story shared in this article shows what is possible when passion is matched with the right guidance. From styling on the red carpet to launching streetwear labels, from creating fashion content to designing for luxury brands, these journeys started in classrooms, project labs, and college corridors—but they reached the world stage.
What connects all these stories is more than just talent. It’s the quality of the education, the strength of mentorship, and the opportunities to learn through experience. These are the elements that turn dreams into professions.
Institutes like NIF Pune Kothrud understand this. That’s why they focus on real-world learning, portfolio development, and consistent exposure to industry platforms. Their students don’t just graduate with knowledge—they graduate with experience. Supported by a degree program run and offered by Medhavi Skills University, the institute ensures students are prepared for success from the very first step.
As these stories prove, success in fashion isn’t limited to the lucky few. It’s possible for anyone with passion, vision, and the right training. So if you’re ready to start your journey, remember—what begins as a student project today, could be a national headline tomorrow.
Now is your time to begin. Let your story be the next one we tell.
Your journey in fashion can begin now. If you’re ready to turn your ideas into real skills and your passion into a profession, choose a place that prepares you for the world ahead.
Explore the programs at NIF Pune Kothrud, schedule a campus visit, or apply online.
Visit www.nifpunekothrud.com to build your story—one sketch, one stitch, one step at a time.
Not necessarily. Many students, like Riya and Sana, discover their true interests during college through workshops, electives, and hands-on projects.
Absolutely. Aarav’s story proves that with the right support and strategic use of assignments, students can begin building their brand before graduation.
Yes! Fashion education now includes areas like digital creation, styling, marketing, and teaching. Sana’s career is a great example.
Being in a city like Pune, close to fashion hubs like Mumbai, can give students access to real-world industry opportunities and events.
Shweta More is an Indian fashion and interior design expert with a keen eye for aesthetics and innovation. With years of experience in the industry, she specializes in blending timeless traditions with contemporary trends, helping individuals and brands craft unique style identities.
Her expertise spans across various fashion specializations, including haute couture, sustainable fashion, and athleisure, while her interior design work focuses on transforming spaces with elegance, functionality, and cultural depth. Shweta is passionate about guiding aspiring designers, offering insights into career growth, industry shifts, and creative inspirations.
When she’s not immersed in the world of fashion and interiors,Shweta enjoys traveling to global design hubs, exploring art, and experimenting with new materials and techniques.