12,000 People Turn Out For FIDM Graduation At STAPLES Center

FIDM graduations aren't quiet, sedate, small events.

Just recently, 12,000 FIDM Grads and their guests filled the STAPLES Center, a venue where superstars like Madonna and Britney Spears have performed. It's huge!

Some FIDM Students embellish their caps and gowns to show their creativity, as below.

Of course, tons of guys graduate from FIDM as well.

FIDM Graduate Vani Kumar, above, who opened a woman's suit store called The Suit Closet after graduation, gave a speech.

Vani switched from heading to dental school to studying fashion when a friend noticed that she had more fashion sketches in her biology notes than molecules.

"My story demonstrates that not having it all figured out can sometimes be the greatest gift of all," she said. "Perhaps designing couture dresses wasn't in the cards for me," she went on, "but perhaps owning and building a fashion empire was."

A successful business owner, Vani is well on her way to accomplishing that goal.

FIDM Graduation is always a thrilling event, where so many leave behind their school years and take the first step into the worlds of Fashion, Interior design, Graphic Design, and Entertainment.

This year, it was a blast!