The FIDM Blog

Lovealchemy

"I started my own brand because I wanted creative freedom," explains Germaine Renner of her new line, Love Alchemy. "I wanted to begin something of my own to inspire others and create daily with no limitations." The Merchandise Prouduct Development Grad says that the best part of running her own business is getting to choose the projects that she wants to be involved with.

Featured Story

MPD Alumna is the Founder of New Label Love Alchemy

"I started my own brand because I wanted creative freedom," explains Germaine Renner of her new line, Love Alchemy. "I wanted to begin something of my own to inspire others...

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Sephora

FIDM Alumna Margarita Arriagada, the Chief Merchant for Sephora, is profiled on NBC Latino. Her 30-plus-year career included working in fashion merchandising as well as in product development and branding for Lladro, where she regularly commuted to Spain. "I started working right out of high school in a department store," she tells NBC. "I needed to earn money, so I worked while I studied Interior Design." She later changed majors to Merchandise Marketing because she enjoyed working in retail.

Joining Sephora was her first foray into the beauty world and today, she is a decision maker for the company which operates 1,300 stores in 27 countries worldwide (and there are plans to expand to over 300 stores across North America). "I just loved the retail experience with Sephora -- I loved the people, and the different approach to cosmetics than you usually find in a department store."

Featured Story

Alumna Margarita Arriagada Is Chief Merchant of Beauty Giant Sephora

FIDM Alumna Margarita Arriagada, the Chief Merchant for Sephora, is profiled on NBC Latino. Her 30-plus-year career included working in fashion merchandising as well as in product development and branding...

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Caitlin connel copy

FIDM Graphic Design Grad Caitlin Connell is a Creative Coordinator at Universal Pictures, a major Hollywood studio. Here is how she turned her education into a career she loves in the entertainment industry.

What was your major?

I graduated in December 2011 with a degree in Graphic Design/Entertainment option.

How did you find your job?

Nonie Hillier, my Career Advisor, helped me make the contact at Universal. I interned in this department as a student and it took some time but I always wanted to go back to Creative Services, as a full time employee.

What does the job entail?

We split up all the films in my department, so I am in charge of all our Catalog and Amblin properties—about 80 properties. I retouch film images and approve/give art direction  for incoming product, asset distribution, and product photography. I work under great bosses and am learning so much!

How did FIDM's program prepare you?

The Graphic Design program prepared me in  many ways. It taught me all the programs I need to know in this industry. I use Photoshop, Illustrator, Keynote on a daily basis. I am constantly working on different films so it definitely taught me how to deal with the pressure of deadlines. My instructors Steve Reaves and Kevin Reagan inspired me to work really hard and always do better when I was ready to give up. 

Featured Story

FIDM Graphic Design Grad Caitlin Connell Is Creative Coordinator at Universal Pictures

FIDM Graphic Design Grad Caitlin Connell is a Creative Coordinator at Universal Pictures, a major Hollywood studio. Here is how she turned her education into a career she loves in...

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Brian

Marketing expert and entrepreneur Brian Hawkins is featured on San Diego Fashion Style Art as a Tastemaker. In addition to teaching at FIDM San Diego, Brian is the co-founder of StyleSeek, which is launching a women's division this summer.

Brian tells the blog: "San Diego has a lot of visual inspiration where natural and built beauty is found. There are also entrepreneurial ventures and spirit that live here that inspire style and allow people to express themselves."

Featured Story

SD Instructor & Marketing Expert Featured as Tastemaker on Style Blog

Marketing expert and entrepreneur Brian Hawkins is featured on San Diego Fashion Style Art as a Tastemaker. In addition to teaching at FIDM San Diego, Brian is the co-founder of...

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Isaac

Second year Merchandise Product Development Student Isaac Bevere was riding in the car when he found out that he won a $5,000 I. Magnin Scholarship from the San Francisco Foundation. "Winning the scholarship gave me hope that I can achieve more, and that I am worthy of receiving such an award," says Isaac, who is currently interning at L.A. designer Jasmine Shokrian's studio.

He was selected because of his impressive academic accomplishments, community involvement, personal essy, and work experience. In the future, Isaac hopes to own his own line, being an executive and entrepreneur. "But most of all I want to create, design, and inspire," he adds.

Student Life

Second Year MPD Student Wins I. Magnin Scholarship

Second year Merchandise Product Development Student Isaac Bevere was riding in the car when he found out that he won a $5,000 I. Magnin Scholarship from the San Francisco Foundation....

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H&m copy

Fast fashion retailer H&M is testing a new, pricier concept in Western Europe. The mass retailer has opened seven "& Other Stories" stores, specializing in higher end accessories like handbags, shoes, and jewelry. It's a bet that "budget-conscious shoppers will still spring for affordable luxuries like a fancy scarf or a trendy lipstick shade," according to Bloomberg Businessweek about the move that connects H&M with consumers at a higher price point. Market research firm Euromonitor International predicts sales of accessories to grow twice as fast as apparel or 13% through 2017 in Western Europe.

The Latest Trends

Industrywatch: H&M Opens Upscale Accessories Stores

Fast fashion retailer H&M is testing a new, pricier concept in Western Europe. The mass retailer has opened seven "& Other Stories" stores, specializing in higher end accessories like handbags,...

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