Ratna Priya is an Assistant Professor in the Fashion Design Department at NIFT Bengaluru. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design and a Master's degree in Design (M.Des) from NIFT. Prior to joining academia, she gained valuable experience in the film and media industry, collaborating with renowned celebrities on fashion and creative projects. This industry exposure has enriched her understanding of fashion, costume, styling, and creative production, enabling her to effectively bridge professional practice with design education.

 Her research interests include Indian craft traditions, sustainable fashion, design research, trend forecasting, and interdisciplinary design practices. She continues to contribute to collaborative research that promotes innovation, sustainability, and the preservation of traditional crafts. Her academic work reflects a strong commitment to integrating contemporary design methodologies with India's rich cultural heritage. Beyond teaching and research, Ratna Priya is passionate about mentoring students, fostering industry collaborations, and encouraging experiential learning. She actively participates in faculty development programmes, academic outreach initiatives, and industry interactions, creating meaningful opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world design practice while nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and socially responsible design.