The School of Fashion Technology (SOFT), Pune, India - was established in 1998 by Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha (MKSSS), Pune , India - in collaboration with National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), (Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India) with a mission to identify young women with professional, managerial, technical and entrepreneurial aspirations, talents and determination and trigger them off to become excellent inspirational leaders in the fashion industry in India to meet the challenges of industrial competitiveness on a global plane.

National Institute of Fashion Technology was set up in 1986 under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It has emerged as the premier Institute of Design, Management and Technology, developing professionals for taking up leadership positions in fashion business in the emerging global scenario. NIFT has been granted statutory status under the act of Parliament of India in 2006, empowering the Institute to award degrees and other academic distinctions.