Jury 1 Feedback

Lessons from Jury 1

Make presentations to the point. We had 15-minutes to present our “Idea” and “Defend” it. Amongst us the only ones who could do it was the group launching brand on “Safe Kids wear”. Actually the beginning of this group’s presentation was on bull’s eye --- need of safe apparel for Indian kids and unaware Indian mothers. They had answers – precise answers to every question of jury
What is safety in kidswear?
Who decides it?
Where is the deciding body?
How do a country’s safety norms differ from others?
This group had heeded advice of mentors and met teachers of other departments. They had inputs from earlier dissertation projects done.

Sneakers is another group which had solid defence thanks to their interpretation of market potential. Their perceptual mapping also was strong. This group’s work again shows how academic and industry mentors together make “sense” if students work hard on filtering and analysing all kinds of input. In other words, mentors give multiple inputs, that too different from each other. But we have to use our own intellect to analyse and filter inputs, process them and defend them with in depth research.

In text citations and referencing was very strong in both the above groups – both in slides and verbally. Jury immediately got convinced when defence was done with mention of sources accurately. How many times one has to remind you importance of citations and referencing?


The groups of Organic clothing and Fast (disposable) Fashion could demonstrate their ‘concept’. However the defence was extremely poor. In depth research was missing thoroughly. The ‘feasibility’ of the concept was not convincingly coming through. The groups body language itself was shaky and wavering. In fact, the latter group was slightly aggressive against industry jury. That’s not welcome since it’s not professional.

The groups who are doing Lingerie and Men’s Intimate Wear came across as ‘me too’ products. Research was done…but originality and creativity was amiss, so was referencing. Also the former group had no enthusiasm in their body language.

For improvement, all groups have to passionately do deep research - go to Textile and Merchandising Departments, talk to teachers there…..Go to library of FORE management (or others) and read more …..Get IIM , Harvard journals….read more….
Do thorough consumer survey …30 questionnaires are not enough….target 500….also questionnaire by itself is not enough……..take photographs, focus group discussions, interview store managers, designers, production managers, …..plan your trips to meet vendors, manufacturers, fabric sources, dye makers, trims makers, craftsmen, supply chain middlemen …….anybody and any one who are concerned with your product.

Having said that, in addition to academy mentors, each group has been assigned an industry mentor. Before you fix up an appointment with them (please let Anjuna know when, where, how long was your meeting…whenever you meet them) you have to email them:
1) 2-page concept note
2) Report you submitted for Jury 1
3) Agenda of meeting (points which you want to discuss with them during your meeting…your questions, doubts, direction needed…etc)

Vishesh Singh : vishesh.singh@gmail.com
Lingerie
Men’s intimate wear

Sharmila Katre : SharmilaKatre@hotmail.com
Fast Fashion
Organic Clothing
Safe kids wear

Aditya Vij : pria@sify.com
Sneakers


Whatever said and done, all groups were professionally dressed and demonstrated good learning attitude. I am sure just like me, all other teachers present , were proud of each of you. Busss thoda aur mehnat and lagann…


Priya Mary Mathew