Students of the 1,081 Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools across India will soon be wearing designer uniforms, joining the league of swish private schools. Since the KVs were formed in 1965, students have worn the same blue and white uniform. Last week, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan approached the
National Institute of Fashion Technology, asking them to redesign the uniforms.
“Students have to wear the same uniform for 12 or 14 years, so it is important that they feel proud of it,” says designer Jattinn Kochhar, who designed the uniform for Tagore International School. “School uniforms don’t have to be boring. If one wears a smart uniform it instantly makes them more confident,” says designer Nida Mahmood. “21 years ago, we asked NIFT to design uniforms for us. As a very ‘Indian’ school, we wanted our ideology reflected in the uniforms and opted for salwar kameez. A designer needs to represent the school’s ideology within the uniform,” says Arun Kapoor, director, Vasant Valley School. “We also had our uniforms redesigned after a two month workshop with students and the designer. If a similar thing is being done for the KVs, why not,” says Madhulika Sen, principal at Tagore International School.