Before JD Institute, I was a merchandiser in the home textile industry with a B.Tech degree. So when I walked into the classroom to start a diploma in Fashion Design, I wasn’t exactly starting from scratch, but I was stepping into something new.

The JD Design Awards theme was “Live in the Moment.” My team and I had no clue where to begin. But after some deep research and even deeper conversations, we landed on an idea we loved — Black Mirror. Inspired by gaming culture, we wanted to bring the fantasy of in-game skins into real-world fashion.

It took weeks of sourcing, testing, and refining to bring the concept to life. We walked all over Bangalore collecting over 60 fabric samples, just to choose the right three. And then came the tailoring — the biggest test of all. Communicating your vision to a tailor isn’t easy. You have to show them what you see in your head.

Even with all the late nights and stress, I wouldn’t trade the experience. Seeing my collection hit the runway — hearing my name announced — it felt surreal. That was the moment I knew it had all been worth it.

To my juniors: live in the moment. Seriously. Ask for help when you need it. Guide your team. And never forget to enjoy the ride.