Coverage of Apeejay School, Faridabad alumna in Medium

For Namita Mahajan (Batch 1999) , stepping into Apeejay School, Faridabad in Class 11 was a turning point that changed not just her academic path, but also her personality, confidence, and future career. Today, as the Head of Design at one of the world’s largest fashion agencies, she looks back at her school days with immense gratitude.

Read edited excerpts:

What changed for you when you joined Apeejay in Class 11?

Apeejay helped me to become an extrovert. Suddenly, I was doing debates, team-based projects, extracurriculars things that made me more confident and expressive. The environment nurtured my personality, and that shift made all the difference.

Any activity or project that particularly helped you build leadership skills?

Yes, I remember being the team lead in a group debate activity. I had to prepare my group, discuss points, and present our views together. It may sound simple, but managing a team like that at a young age was a foundational experience in leadership for me.

You mentioned Apeejay helped you discover your creative side. Tell us more.

Until Class 10, I didn’t even know I had a creative side. But Apeejay allowed us to explore hobbies — that’s when I began painting and participating in art competitions. That exploration eventually led me to NIFT and the design world. So, really, the first seeds of my design career were sown at Apeejay.

You were in the medical stream. How did fashion come into the picture?

I was selected for both MBBS at BHU and NIFT. But because of an age criteria, I couldn’t join BHU. I didn’t want to lose a year, so I joined NIFT’s first-ever FDIT course, a four-year integrated programme combining fashion design and IT. It was a turning point. I loved every bit of it and never looked back.

What’s your current role and how did your career grow post-NIFT?

Post campus placement, I worked at an export house before joining my current company, the global fashion and sourcing company. We work with over 200 global brands including Zara, Mango, Ted Baker, and Ralph Lauren. I’ve spent more than a decade here, currently heading design across 22 countries.

Do you carry any Apeejay values with you today?

Absolutely. Teamwork, discipline, and hard work — they’re part of my DNA. Also, the school prayer still gives me goosebumps. I re-heard it during the alumni meet, and it took me right back. Apeejay not only gave me friends for life but also shaped the professional I am today.