Fashion Designer Salary in India

Fashion Designer Salary: A fashion designer is a skilled expert who crafts clothing and accessories, merging art and aesthetics into their creations. They are responsible for comprehensively conceptualizing and designing each piece of apparel while keeping the fabric, form, color, and embellishments in mind.

The fashion sector pays well, especially when leading fashion brands hire you. Many aspiring fashion designers are curious about the salary package for fashion designers in India. In this blog, we have outlined fashion designer salaries in India and the factors influencing them.

Average Fashion Designer Salary in India 2024

After a candidate completes their fashion designing course and joins a fashion designing firm as a fresher, they earn about ₹4,92,000 per annum, while those with over a decade of experience like 10- 15 years can earn up to ₹38 LPA to ₹42 Lakhs per annum.

A fashion designer’s maximum salary can reach up to ₹80,00,000 per annum. Notable celebrity fashion designers such as Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Anamika Khanna, Manish Malhotra, and Ritu Kumar earn a maximum of ₹10 crores yearly.

Some leading employers for fashion designers include renowned brands like Akiti, Zara, Mango, Fan India, Biba, etc. Also, these designers are recruited to work under esteemed names in the fashion industry, like Anamika Khanna, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Manish Malhotra, and several other prominent names.

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Company Wise

Fashion designers are in high demand in India and globally. There are leading companies in India as well as abroad that seek talented fashion designers to make them a part of their creative unit. The table outlined below shows the average yearly salary of a fashion designer in diverse reputable fashion organisations:

Company Name	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Allen Solly	₹5,60,000
Levi’s	₹6,20,000
Raymond	₹5,50,000
Adidas	₹7,47,000
Zara	₹6,80,000
Marks & Spencer	₹6,11,000
Pantaloons	₹4,80,000
Hidesign	₹5,80,000
Lifestyle	₹5,20,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Qualification-Wise

To become a successful fashion designer, one must have a strong educational foundation. Completing several courses can impact an aspiring fashion designer’s qualifications. Academic qualifications are a deciding factor when determining a candidate’s earning potential in the fashion industry.

Here, we have tabulated the salaries of fashion designer based on their academic qualifications:

Qualification	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Certification Courses	₹2,70,000
Diploma Courses	₹3,92,000
Undergraduate Degree	₹4,26,000
Postgraduate Degree	₹10,66,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Specialisation Wise

A fashion designer’s salary varies based on their specific job profile and specialisation within the sector. Here, we have presented the average salaries of fashion designers according to their particular fashion designer roles:

Specialisations	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Technical Designer	₹5,60,000
Apparel Associate	₹3,13,000
Assistant Designer	₹2,56,000
Designer	₹2,35,000
Stylist	₹3,01,000
Merchandiser	₹3,50,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Experience Wise

Experience is a pivotal and vital component when deciding the salary of a fashion designer. Here we have outlined the salary of a fashion designer based on experience (as per years in the fashion sector):

Years of Experience	Average Annual Salary (INR)
0 – 5 years	₹6,12,000
6 – 10 years	₹8,26,000
11 – 15 years	₹12,77,000
16 – 20 years	₹14,50,000
20 years and above	₹22,00,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: City-Wise

Despite Mumbai being a leading city for fashion designers, numerous other designers are from other Indian cities and amplify their business reach from there. Discussed below is the average salary of a Fashion Designer based on the cities that they reside in.

Name of the City	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Mumbai	₹6,31,000
Delhi	₹4,96,000
Bengaluru	₹4,42,000
Chennai	₹4,29,000
Jaipur	₹3,56,000
Kolkata	₹3,50,000
Pune	₹3,11,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Skill-Wise

A Fashion Designer’s salary is closely tied to their standout skills. Possessing additional technical skills can boost their performance in the field. Here are some relevant skills to consider:

Skills	Average Annual Salary (in ₹)
Digital Design	₹6,10,000
Adobe Illustrator	₹4,13,000
Graphic Design	₹3,92,000
Technical Garment Knowledge	₹3,91,000
Product Development	₹3,74,000
Market Research	₹3,11,000

Salary of a Fashion Designer: Country Wise

A career in fashion design is booming globally. The United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, and Canada are some of the leading countries for aspiring fashion designers to make a career in this thriving sector.

The average annual salary of a fashion designer in different nations is outlined below:

Name of the Country	Average Annual Salary (in ₹)
The United States of America	₹62,31,000
Australia	₹57,24,000
Germany	₹55,89,000
Canada	₹53,78,000
The United Kingdom	₹45,93,000
Japan	₹41,70,000
China	₹23,64,000

Duties of a Fashion Designer

A fashion designer’s duty varies based on the job profile. Their work isn’t limited to conducting research. It also involves following certain responsibilities. Some of them are listed below:

• A fashion designer collaborates with crew members to pick seasonal themes and develop new fashion concepts.
• A fashion designer has to guarantee that products agree with business strategies.
• A fashion designer also has to pick the right trims and fabrics.
• A fashion designer must also work with technical designers to ensure perfect products and packaging.
• A fashion designer has to look after the design process from idea to styling.

Skills Required to Become a Fashion Designer

If aspiring fashion designers wish to pursue a career in the fashion industry, they must have some of these skills to shine in the profession:

Interest in visual art	Creative	Know the intricacies of model fittings and making modifications when needed
Passion for designing	Marketing designs	Attention to detail
Artistic ability	Sketching ability	Producing designs in sync with the latest fashion trends

Leading Employers of Fashion Designers

The leading companies that recruit freshers and experienced fashion designers are listed below:

Manish Malhotra	Raymond	Marks & Spencer
Pantaloons	Bata	Lifestyle
Hidesign	Mango	Adidas/Puma/Nike

The Bottom Line

Now that you know the average pay scale of a fashion designer in India, let us tell you that the job opportunities for fashion designers are not just restricted to India. There’s a huge demand for fashion designers globally. Paris, Milan, London, and New York top the chart regarding fashion.

Your work in the fashion industry will speak volumes, and you will be appreciated for it. There are instances where bright minds have received success and appreciation beyond their expectations. Today, the fashion sector is at its peak. It looked very different two decades ago.

Salary of a Fashion Designer – FAQs

Is Fashion Design a good career in India?

Yes, Fashion Design can be a good career in India if you have the passion, and skills. Today, The Indian fashion industry is growing rapidly, offering diverse opportunities in high fashion etc.

Is fashion design a high paying job?

Earnings in Fashion Design vary widely depending on experience, skillset, employer, and specialization.

Who is the Richest fashion designer in India?

Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra, Ritu Kumar, and Rajesh Pratap Singh are among the successful and financially established Indian fashion designers in India in 2023.

What are the skills to become a Fashion Designer?

Some essential skills for fashion designing include:

• Creative & Artistic: Strong visual sense, sketching ability, design thinking, originality.
• Technical: Patternmaking, draping, garment construction, knowledge of textiles and materials.
• Communication & Collaboration: Communication skills, teamwork, presentation skills, adaptability.
• Business & Marketing: Branding, marketing, budgeting, understanding of the fashion industry.
• Software Skills: Learning digital design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and possibly 3D design software.

How much are fashion designers paid in India?

The average salary range for Fashion Designers in India is between ₹3.6 Lakhs to ₹7.2 Lakhs per annum. However, this can vary greatly depending on the various factors.

What is the highest salary of a Fashion Designer in India?

Top Fashion designers with established brands, extensive experience, and international recognition can earn upwards of ₹50 Lakhs to ₹1 crore or even more per annum. Additionally, successful freelance consultants can command high hourly rates.

What is the lowest salary of a Fashion Designer?

Fresh graduates or interns may start with salaries as low as ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 per month. However, with experience and skill development, salaries can quickly increase.

What are other monetary benefits one gets as a Fashion Designer?

Besides salary, some designers may receive:

• Bonuses: Based on performance or company goals.
• Travel opportunities: For fashion shows, events, or sourcing trips.
• Discounts: On clothing, accessories, or equipment.
• Flexible work arrangements: Some companies offer freelance or remote work options.