Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design

What Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design does

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) is a public-sector degree-awarding higher education institution headquartered in Lahore, Pakistan, established in 1994 as the Pakistan School of Fashion Design and operating today under the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design Act, 2011 (Act No X of 2011). It is the only dedicated fashion and design degree-granting institution in Pakistan, offering Foundation Year, four-year Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Studies programmes, M.Des/M.Sc/M.Phil graduate tracks, and PhD programmes across thirteen-plus disciplines — Fashion Design, Textile Design, Fashion Marketing & Merchandising, Jewellery Design & Gemological Sciences, Furniture Design & Manufacture, Interior Design, Leather Accessories & Footwear, Leather Apparel, Ceramic & Glass Design, and Visual Arts. The institution enrols 1,893 students with 132 faculty, claims a 100% graduate employment rate, and is the sole Pakistani full member of the Cumulus International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art and Design.

PIFD's business model is tuition-driven with a bifurcated pricing structure: subsidised open-merit seats (UG tuition ~Rs. 203,500/semester) and premium self-finance seats (UG tuition ~Rs. 1,540,000/semester), supplemented by admission, hostel, transport, library/workshop, and examination fees; graduate programmes use credit-hour tuition (Rs. 7,150–11,550/credit hour) plus annual thesis and studio fees. Its go-to-market is admissions-led: national newspaper advertising, the pifd.edu.pk site, an online application portal, and aptitude tests/interviews across six Pakistani cities. The institution's underlying technology is conventional for a design school — studio workshops, CAD/CAM for jewellery, E-Office from NITB, and a NIC with PITB — with no proprietary platform product.

Revenue mechanics blend tuition receipts with government funding as a public-sector entity; financial figures are not publicly disclosed. PIFD's competitive position is built on regulatory charter (PIFD Act 2011), HEC accreditation, and a deep international partnership network (École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, Mod'Spe Paris, FIT New York, London College of Fashion, Parsons, IFM, ARS Sutoria, Swedish School of Textiles, Erasmus+ B-International, Cumulus, ACU) that supplies curriculum legitimacy and faculty training. A recent Skardu Campus (Oct 2025) and expanded PhD/short-course portfolio signal incremental footprint and product expansion, while a Senate Standing Committee review and NAVTTC-related investigation introduce governance overhang.

Name

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design

Legal name

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD)

Website

https://pifd.edu.pk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PIFD is a public-sector degree-granting higher education institution in Lahore, Pakistan, founded in 1994 and operating under the PIFD Act 2011. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programmes across thirteen-plus fashion, textile, jewellery, furniture, leather, ceramic/glass, and visual-arts design disciplines to ~1,893 students, with a faculty of 132.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education — Fashion and Design

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAHAJAF

Fashion & Apparel Design Colleges

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Arts, Music & Design Colleges

SECONDARYEDAHAJAB

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Arts, Music & Design Colleges

SECONDARYEDAAAGAK

Fashion & Textile Arts (Sewing, Patternmaking, Knitting, Crochet)

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Personal Enrichment & Hobby Learning (Arts, Crafts, Music, Cooking)

Keywords

• Fashion design education
• Textile design programs
• Jewellery design courses
• Interior design education
• Higher education degrees

Headquarters

HQ city

Lahore

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Semester-based tuition fees charged to undergraduate and graduate students. Fee structures differ between open merit and self-finance seats, with self-finance seats commanding significantly higher tuition (e.g., Rs. 1,540,000/semester for self-finance vs. Rs. 203,500/semester for open merit in undergraduate programmes). Additional fees include admission/registration, security deposits, hostel charges, medical fees, library/workshop fees, and examination fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design is a public-sector higher education institution that delivers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs, plus short courses, in fashion design, textile design, jewellery design, interior design, and related design disciplines. It also supports research and outreach activities in design fields, primarily delivered through its Lahore main campus and Skardu campus with admissions handled through regional test centers.

Product overview

Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design (PIFD) operates as a degree-awarding institution established under the PIFD Act 2011, offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products across undergraduate (Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Studies), graduate (M.Des, M.Sc, M.Phil), and doctoral (PhD) levels, along with Foundation Year Studies and Short Courses. The institution's core offerings span 13 distinct design and fashion disciplines including Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Merchandising, Textile Design, Jewellery Design & Gemological Sciences, Furniture Design & Manufacture, Interior Design, Leather Accessories & Footwear, Ceramic & Glass Design, and Visual Arts. Programs were developed in collaboration with international institutions including Ecole de La Chambre Syndicale de La Couture Parisienne, Mod'spe Paris, Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS), and Swedish School of Textiles, reflecting a platform approach where foundational training precedes specialized degree paths. PIFD also maintains a Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) and Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) alongside academic programs, and operates a Student Startup Business Center (SSBC) for entrepreneurship support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs (Fashion, Textile, Jewellery, Interior Design)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% graduate employment rate as stated by the institution
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021PIFD signed a MoU with PITB on 26th January 2021 for the establishment of a National Incubation Centre at PIFD premises. The project is designed to accelerate the successful development of business start-ups through an array of business support resources and services.
• Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020PIFD became a member of ACU in 2020, the world's oldest international network of universities, which promotes and supports excellence in higher education for individuals and societies throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
• Erasmus+ Programme / B-InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019PIFD became a partner institution of Erasmus Mundus programme of the European Union in 2019 as part of the B-International project for Capacity Building in Higher Education. In November 2023, PIFD launched the B-International Toolkit. The collaboration involves student & staff mobility, research projects, and development of Master's and PhD curriculum.
• Cumulus — International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art and DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2016PIFD is the first and only institute from Pakistan awarded full membership of Cumulus, the only global association serving Art and Design education and research. Cumulus consists of 340 members from 61 countries. Membership was awarded at a conference in Nottingham, UK in February 2016. The association provides a forum for partnership and transfer of knowledge and best practices.
• Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS), Bangkok, ThailandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Affiliation established in 2008 to provide requisite exposure to students and faculty of Jewellery Design and Gemological Sciences programme through specialized gemology training and resources.
• University College of Boras (Swedish School of Textiles), SwedenmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007Collaboration established in 2007 for student exchange and faculty training programme. PIFD students and faculty attend workshops and training at University College of Boras, and PIFD hosts joint virtual exhibitions (e.g., 'Design Research Artifacts as an Intermediary Knowledge').
• Mod'Spe Institute of Fashion Marketing, Paris, FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005PSFD was affiliated with Mod'Spe Institute of Marketing, Paris (established by Federation Francaise du pret-a-porter Feminin in 1993) in 2005 for the Fashion Marketing and Merchandising Programme. The programme was developed in collaboration with Mod'Spe for curriculum development and faculty training.
• École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994PIFD (originally PSFD) established affiliation with École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne (established 1927) in 1994. The affiliation was renewed multiple times, most recently in 2006. Faculty received training in Paris, and curriculum was vetted for conformity with French standards. Students are selected for two-week intensive training at Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), successor to the French school.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) New York, USAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIFD students attend footwear and handbag workshops at FIT New York. Faculty also receive professional development training at FIT, including certificates in Consumer Behavior and Brand Management.
• London College of Fashion, UKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual international training and workshops conducted at London College of Fashion. PIFD's Leather Accessories and Footwear students attend summer training programmes at LCF as part of their curriculum.
• Parsons School of Design, New York CitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for design education collaboration, student exchange, and curriculum development in fashion and design disciplines.
• ARS Sutoria, Milan, ItalymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer training programme for Leather Accessories and Footwear students conducted at ARS Sutoria in Milan, Italy. Faculty and students receive specialized shoemaking and leather goods training.
• Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), Paris, FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIFD students are selected for two-week intensive training at IFM in Paris. A group of 20 students from Fashion Design completed 'Summer School 2022: from Drawing to Cloth' at IFM. Certificates are awarded after successful completion.
• Accademia Del Lusso, Milan, ItalyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTextile Design students arranged study trip in collaboration with Accademia Del Lusso in Milan, Italy, for industry exposure and training.
• Milano Fashion Institute, ItalymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFM&M department collaborated with Milano Fashion Institute in 2017. Each year, FM&M students attend intensive summer training programmes at Milano Fashion Institute, and faculty participate in two-week training sessions.
• Manchester Metropolitan University, UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead of International for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Regional Development Manager from Manchester Metropolitan University visited PIFD for international collaboration discussions.
• Cardiff Metropolitan University, UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCeramic and Glass Design Department arranged a one-week study trip for 3 students and 1 faculty member to Cardiff Metropolitan University in January 2023. Delegation from Cardiff Met also visited PIFD.
• Aalto University, Helsinki, FinlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational affiliation for design education collaboration and potential student/faculty exchange programmes.
• Konstfack University, Stockholm, SwedenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational affiliation for design education collaboration and potential student/faculty exchange programmes.
• University of Engineering and Technology, PeshawarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational academic collaboration for research and education in design-related fields.
• Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLCCI collaborated with PIFD and TDAP on the Two-Day Capacity Building Training Programme for fashion industry professionals. LCCI also hosts networking events and provides industry linkage for PIFD students.
• Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Program (PLCIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPLCIP, funded by the European Union, provides certifications and training for Leather Accessories and Footwear students including Shoemaster CAD, product design, and leather goods making.
• Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTDAP invited PIFD to showcase student work at TEXPO 2024 Karachi. TDAP's Textile & Leather Division collaborated with PIFD on a Two-Day Capacity Building Training Programme attended by 90+ participants focusing on export readiness.
• PEP Foundation, Inc. (USA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEP Foundation (USA) co-supports the Student Startup Business Centre (SSBC) at PIFD with HEC. SSBC's goal is promotion of talented students' entrepreneurship and enhancing practical learning through mentoring and initial financial resources.
• Institute of Industrial Design Co. Ltd. (Instytut Wzornictwa Przemyslowego Sp. Zo.o), PolandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for industrial design education and research exchange between Pakistan and Poland.
• Higher Education Commission (HEC), PakistancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEC is the regulatory body for higher education in Pakistan. PIFD operates under HEC's quality assurance framework, participates in HEC's Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC) system, and receives support for scholarships, Need-Based Scholarship Programme, and National Incubation Centre through HEC initiatives.
• Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, IslamabadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cultural and educational collaboration facilitated through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia for design education exchanges.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• London College of Fashion (UAL): University of the Arts London constituent college offering fashion, footwear, accessories, and leather-technology programmes. Conducts annual international training with PIFD's leather/footwear students and faculty; comparable in fashion-education specialization.
• Parsons School of Design: The New School's design school offering undergraduate and graduate programmes in fashion, product, interior, and communication design. Listed as a PIFD partner institution; serves as international benchmark for design-education portfolio breadth.
• Istituto Europeo di Design (IED): European network of private design schools offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across fashion, jewellery, interior, product, and visual communication design. Comparable in multi-discipline design-education portfolio at international scale.
• Institut Français de la Mode (IFM), Paris: Successor to École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne — PIFD's original 1994 affiliate — IFM offers master's programmes in fashion, luxury, and design. Direct structural precedent for PIFD's fashion-design curriculum model and active partner.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York: SUNY-affiliated public fashion and design college in New York with which PIFD has an active partnership (footwear/handbag workshops and faculty training). Comparable in mission (industry-aligned fashion education) though at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Beaconhouse National University (BNU): Private Lahore-based university with design and visual arts programmes including jewellery design (BNU is the alma mater of PIFD's Gems & Jewellery Course Coordinator). Competes with PIFD for design students in Pakistan's private higher-education segment.
• National College of Arts (NCA), Lahore: Pakistan's premier public-sector arts and design college located in Lahore, offering degrees in fine arts, design, architecture, and music. Directly comparable to PIFD as another HEC-recognized Lahore-based arts/design higher-education institution competing for the same Pakistani applicant pool.
• Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS): Karachi-based non-profit degree-granting school specializing in architecture, design, and fine arts. Comparable as another Pakistan design college offering degrees in complementary design disciplines and serving the same national applicant pool.

Regional players

• Pearl Academy, India: Private Indian fashion and design school offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in fashion design, textile, jewellery, interior, and communication design. Regional peer serving South Asia with comparable multi-discipline portfolio.
• National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), India: India's premier network of government fashion and design institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across fashion, textile, knitwear, leather, accessory, and jewellery design. Closest regional structural peer, though operating under India's government system.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pifdlahore
• Facebookfacebook.com/PIFDlahore
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pakistan-institute-of-fashion-and-design-lahore

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design