List of Top Fashion Designing Colleges/Institutes in Bangalore 2026

Top fashion designing colleges in Bangalore combine strong creative training with good placements and industry exposure, making the city a preferred destination for fashion aspirants.

Top Ranking Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore by India Today

India Today rankings consistently place Bengaluru's National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) among the top fashion design institutes in India, with NIFT Bengaluru around rank 3 nationally in recent surveys. Other Bengaluru colleges that feature in India Today fashion design rankings include Army Institute of Fashion and Design (AIFD), JD Institute of Fashion Technology, T. John Group of Institutions, and The Oxford College group.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bengaluru

Army Institute of Fashion and Design (AIFD), Bengaluru

JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru

T. John Group of Institutions (design programmes)

The Oxford College group (relevant design programmes)

Pearl Academy, Bengaluru (featured prominently in many private rankings)

Vogue Institute of Art and Design, Bengaluru

These institutes are frequently cited for curriculum quality, infrastructure, and industry connect, making them highly visible to fashion design aspirants.

Courses Offered

Top fashion designing colleges in Bangalore offer programmes at diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, covering both creative and technical aspects. Students can choose from specialisations such as fashion design, apparel design, fashion communication, textile design, and fashion technology depending on the institute.

Undergraduate

B.Des in Fashion Design
B.Des in Fashion Communication
B.Des in Textile Design
B.Sc in Fashion and Apparel Design

Postgraduate

M.Des in Fashion Design
M.FTech
M.Sc in Fashion and Apparel
Master of Fashion Management (MFM)

Many institutes also include portfolio development, internships, and live projects with brands as part of the curriculum to improve employability.

Entrance Exams

Admission to the best fashion design colleges in Bangalore is through a mix of national-level entrance exams, institute-level tests, and merit-based selection. Candidates are usually assessed on creativity, drawing skills, design aptitude, logical reasoning, and general awareness related to fashion.

NIFT Entrance Exam for undergraduate and postgraduate fashion programmes at NIFT Bengaluru

AIFD WAT (Written Admission Test) for Army Institute of Fashion and Design, Bengaluru

UCEED and CEED scores for admission to certain design programmes in selected institutes in Bangalore

Institute-specific entrance tests and interviews conducted by private colleges like Pearl Academy, Vogue Institute of Art and Design

Direct or merit-based admission based on Class 12 marks or graduation scores, especially for diploma and a few degree programmes

Fees Structure

Fashion design fees in Bangalore vary significantly between government institutions like NIFT and private colleges. Government institutes generally charge moderate fees, while premium private schools with advanced infrastructure and industry exposure tend to be more expensive.

College	Indicative Annual Fees (₹)	Notes
NIFT Bengaluru	74,000 – 97,000	Tuition; varies by course/category
Army Institute of Fashion and Design (AIFD)	~44,000	Tuition; other charges extra
Vogue Institute of Art and Design	15,000 – 20,000+ (Certificate Course)	Full programme fees higher
Private schools (Pearl, Jain, etc.)	3L – 20L+ (full course)	B.Des/B.Sc ranges

Students should also budget for materials, tools, software, internships, and project work, which add to the overall cost of studying fashion design.

Salaries Offered to Fashion Design Students in Bangalore

Entry-level salaries for fashion design graduates in Bangalore depend on the college brand, portfolio strength, role, and recruiter. Graduates working in established brands or export houses usually start higher than those joining small boutiques or freelancing initially.

₹2L – ₹4L per annum for entry-level roles like fashion designer, merchandiser, or fashion consultant in organised sector
Higher packages from select institutes for specialised roles in large fashion retail or e-commerce brands
Experienced designers can earn significantly more in creative direction or brand entrepreneurship

Major Employers for Fashion Design Graduates

Bangalore's fashion graduates find opportunities across fashion retail, e-commerce, export houses, design studios, and independent labels. Recruiters look for creativity, software skills (like CAD), understanding of trends, and practical exposure through internships.

Retail & Brands

Lifestyle, Reliance Retail
Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail
Diesel, Flying Machine

Other Sectors

E-commerce platforms
Export houses & garment manufacturers
Boutique labels & design studios

Career Options After Fashion Designing in Bangalore

Studying fashion design in Bangalore opens different creative and business-oriented career paths. Graduates can work directly in design and production or shift towards branding, communication, and retail roles.

Fashion designer, apparel designer, or costume designer

Fashion stylist, image consultant, or fashion blogger/content creator

Fashion merchandiser, buyer, or retail planner

Textile designer, print designer, or accessory designer

Because Bangalore is also a technology and e-commerce hub, fashion graduates here often get exposure to digital fashion, online retail, and omni-channel branding opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Fashion Designing Colleges in Bangalore

The cost of a fashion designing course in Bangalore varies widely depending on the type of college (government vs private), level of the course, and duration. On average, many fashion designing programmes in Bangalore fall roughly between ₹50,000 and ₹2,00,000 per year, with some high-end private design schools charging total programme fees running into several lakh rupees.

Budget-friendly options such as government or university-affiliated colleges may offer annual fees under ₹1 lakh, while premium institutes and specialised B.Des programmes can go well above ₹3–4 lakh per year. Students should also factor in extra expenses for materials, lab usage, software, studio projects, and internships when estimating the total cost of a fashion designing course in Bangalore.

NIFT Bengaluru is widely regarded as one of the best colleges for fashion designing in Bangalore and regularly features among the top fashion institutes in national rankings by media houses like India Today and The Week. It is known for its strong curriculum, experienced faculty, national-level brand value, and good placement support with reputed recruiters.

Alongside NIFT, highly rated private design schools such as Pearl Academy Bengaluru, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, and Vogue Institute of Art and Design are also considered among the best for fashion designing in Bangalore due to their industry-focused programmes and strong placement ecosystems. The "best" college ultimately depends on your budget, specialisation preference, campus environment, and career goals, so aspirants should compare rankings, fees, and placement records before applying.

Lists can vary slightly by ranking agency, but the following institutes frequently appear among the top fashion designing colleges in Bangalore:

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bengaluru – a leading public fashion institute with strong national reputation and high rankings in India Today and other surveys.
Pearl Academy, Bengaluru – a private design and fashion school known for modern curriculum, global exposure, and a 90%+ reported placement record across its campuses.
JD Institute of Fashion Technology / JD School of Design, Bengaluru – a prominent private institute with multiple fashion and design programmes and a high reported placement percentage around mid-90s.
Army Institute of Fashion and Design (AIFD), Bengaluru – a specialised institute with disciplined environment and good placement outcomes, especially for defence background candidates.
Vogue Institute of Art and Design, Bengaluru – a well-known fashion and design school offering UG, PG, and diploma programmes in fashion and related creative fields.

Depending on the ranking, other Bangalore colleges such as Mount Carmel College, Garden City University, and university departments may also feature in top lists for fashion-related courses.

Very few institutes can genuinely guarantee 100% placement every year, and placement percentages can change from batch to batch. Some top private fashion schools in and around Bangalore, like Pearl Academy, have reported placement rates close to 99% across their campuses in recent years.

However, even in highly reputed colleges such as NIFT Bengaluru, the placement rate is usually reported around 80–90% rather than a guaranteed 100%. Aspirants should carefully read the fine print of placement statistics, understand whether numbers refer to registered candidates or total batch strength, and treat "100% placement" claims with caution while shortlisting colleges.

NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology), including the Bengaluru campus, is an autonomous public/government institution under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It was established by an Act of Parliament, and NIFT Bengaluru operates as a government-owned campus within this national network of fashion institutes.

Because NIFT is a government institute, it follows regulated fee structures, offers various scholarship and financial assistance schemes, and enjoys strong national recognition compared with many private fashion design colleges. This public status is one of the reasons why NIFT degrees are highly valued in the Indian fashion and textile industry.

Why Choose Bangalore for Fashion Design?

Bangalore offers a combination of reputed institutes, a cosmopolitan culture, and strong retail and tech ecosystems, which is attractive for fashion students. The city's climate, student-friendly atmosphere, and presence of both traditional boutiques and modern malls give learners rich exposure to different fashion markets.

Access to top-ranked institutes like NIFT Bengaluru and AIFD, along with well-known private schools such as JD Institute, Vogue, Pearl Academy, and university-affiliated colleges.
Proximity to major retail, e-commerce, and lifestyle brands that offer internships, projects, and jobs.
Networking opportunities with designers, photographers, stylists, influencers, and startups in the city's creative ecosystem.

Top Fashion Designing / Technology Institutes in Bangalore, 2026

List of Top Fashion Designing / Technology colleges in Bangalore, 2026, with addresses, fees structure, contact, course details, and courses offered.

Top Fashion Designing Colleges in Bangalore 2026

Top Ranking Fashion Design Colleges in Bangalore by India Today