A distinguished teacher and academic, Vandana Bhandari is a specialist in the subjects of Indian Textiles, Indian Costume, Draping, Fashion forecasting and Product development and Craft Studies. In 1985 she received a Master’s degree from the MS University, Vadodara. This was followed by an indepth study on “Woman’s Costume in the Thar Desert” which added a Ph.D from Delhi University in 1996 to her list of accomplishments. Her knowledge of the technical intricacies of Indian clothing has been reinforced by the many courses and workshops she has additionally participated in from reputed institutions such as the National Institute of Fashion Technology (New Delhi); Fashion Institute of Technology (New York); and London College of Fashion,UK. These include not only techniques of fashion design such as draping and pattern making, but also the intricacies of computerized knitwear, lingerie, stretch fabrics, woolen knitwear, and cotton jersey material.

Vandana began her career with manufacturing her own designs of children’s clothing under the label Tiny Classics. However, her preference for the academic world led her to teaching and she is now a Professor at the Fashion and Textiles Department of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi. Specializing in Indian textile crafts, she researched the little known and dying craft of Danka embroidery in Udaipur, Rajasthan, which culminated in a publication, and proposals for its revival. Institutes both in India and abroad have recognized the invaluable significance of her work with regard to sustaining livelihoods for artisans. She has worked on fashion forecast projects with Dupont Lycra and organized events and presented papers at the Asia Pacific Bridal Summit in different countries.