As the School of Fashion Design (SFD) approaches its 90th anniversary, North Attleborough resident Shinjita Sinha celebrates her recent acceptance into the institution.
In her late 30s, Sinha is pursuing a dream driven by family heritage and a desire to build something of her own. Her path to SFD was shaped by shifting aspirations and the responsibilities of motherhood.
“What I wanted always changed,” Sinha said.
After years in the corporate world as a marketing analyst, she found herself longing for a creative outlet and a venture she could truly call her own. This longing ultimately led her to the fashion industry, where she could pay homage to her family’s deep-rooted tradition of clothing craftsmanship.
Sinha describes the women in her family as having “this talent in them,” referring to her grandmother’s hand-knitted sweaters for soldiers during the Indo-China War and her mother’s collection of over 50 original designs.
It was also Sinha’s personal experience that inspired her professional pivot. Living in the United States, she noticed a lack of readily available Indian attire during the festive season, a void she knew could be filled with styles blending Indian and Western influences.
With this idea in mind, Sinha decided to formally study fashion and turned to SFD to develop her vision.
“I have always admired beauty, natural beauty… and dresses designed in movies,” she said, describing the aesthetics that drew her to fashion design.
However, as a working mother, Sinha needed flexibility to pursue her studies, a consideration that SFD Associate Director Jennifer LeClerc acknowledged.
“Shinjita represents a very typical SFD student,” LeClerc said. “She’s looking for career redirection, flexibility, and is comfortable working at her own pace.”
While SFD primarily offers in-person courses, Sinha began her studies online, focusing first on design sketching to manage her busy schedule.
In discussing SFD’s values, LeClerc highlights its dedication to “slow fashion”—an approach rooted in sustainability and creativity.
“The curriculum and courses have always been centered around slow fashion… the art of handcrafted garments and apparel,” she said, reinforcing SFD’s commitment to quality and environmental responsibility.
For those considering a similar path, Sinha offers advice born from her own journey.
“Look at how you perceive yourself and what you want to learn… there’s competition in every field,” she said. “Go for it…You should not wait for approval or assurance from anyone.”
As Sinha looks to the future, she not only continues a family legacy of fashion but also hopes to make her mark in the industry by bringing Indian-inspired styles to a broader audience. With SFD as her foundation, Sinha is determined to turn her vision into reality.
