Dr. Patricia Sumod

Professor, Fashion Design (BDes)

Mumbai Campus

Dr. Patricia Sumod

faculty-1
  • patricia.sumod@nift.ac.in
  • Head International & Domestic Linkages (I&DL)
  • Nodal Officer FIT New York
LinkedIn Profile

Prof. Patricia Sumod, PhD, is a distinguished professor at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Mumbai, India, and an alumna of the same esteemed institution. With over two decades of combined industry and academic experience, she is recognized as a leading expert in fashion and textile design, costume studies, and design education. Her career began in the Indian film and television industry, working alongside renowned costume designer Ashley Rebello. This early industry exposure provided her with a solid foundation in costume design and styling for screen productions, which continues to inform her academic and research pursuits.

Upon joining NIFT Mumbai as a faculty member in the Department of Fashion Design, Prof. Patricia quickly established herself as an academic leader, contributing significantly to curriculum development, the creation of innovative teaching frameworks, and the cultivation of international collaborations. Her leadership in educational planning and interdisciplinary pedagogy has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary fashion design education in India.

As an educator, Prof. Patricia is celebrated for her engaging teaching style and her ability to bridge industry practice with academic inquiry. She teaches a wide range of subjects, including Film and Fashion, Costume for Performing Arts, Pattern Making, History of Costume, Fashion Illustration, and Garment Construction. Her commitment to fostering both technical competence and creative thinking has empowered countless students to excel in their careers.

Prof. Patricia’s research interests are diverse and forward-thinking, encompassing costume design for film and performing arts, uniform design, adaptive and inclusive apparel, sustainable fashion, pattern engineering, ergonomic garment design, textile innovation, and heritage-inspired design. Her current research explores the intersection of indigenous knowledge systems, Vedic philosophy, sportswear engineering, cultural sustainability, and wearable technologies, with a particular focus on developing performance apparel that integrates advanced textile innovation with India’s rich cultural heritage.

She has presented and published her research at national and international conferences and in scholarly journals, covering topics such as fashion design innovation, sustainable clothing, adaptive apparel, costume studies, sportswear design, cultural heritage, and interdisciplinary design research. Her scholarly work is recognized for advancing contemporary fashion by synthesizing traditional cultural narratives with emerging technologies and user-centered design methodologies.

In addition to her teaching and research, Prof. Patricia has contributed extensively to academic administration, curriculum innovation, and collaborative projects with industry and global institutions. Through her scholarship, teaching, and leadership, she continues to promote design excellence, cultural preservation, and sustainable innovation, earning her a reputation as a respected academic, researcher, and practitioner in the field of fashion design