FIDM Magazine

Grad Jeff Poulin is Making Superhero Designs for Juniors

Marvel superheroes have been turned into sassy juniors designs thanks in part to FIDM Grad Jeff Poulin, who was profiled last year on the Alumni Website. Women's Wear Daily has the details:

"The entertainment company, best known for its library of comic book superheroes ranging from Spider-Man to Iron Man, is starting 2009 with a major push into the women’s apparel, cosmetics and accessories markets. This move comes after more than 70 years of gearing the bulk of its merchandise assortment to the young men’s market, selling everything from Spider-Man comic books to Captain America business card holders and Incredible Hulk T-shirts."

Click here to read the rest of the WWD article.

Alumna Elizabeth Leffler Has Opened a New Boutique in San Diego

FIDM Alumna Elizabeth Leffler recently opened the women's contemporary boutique Christie's, which is located in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, and was purchased from its previous owner named Christie.

The shop stocks Hale Bob, Joe's Jeans, Sanctuary, Level 99, Corey Lynn Calter, and local San Diego designers like Bcat Threads. Elizabeth previously worked with photographer Paul Natkin, styled fashion shows, and worked as a personal shopper and style consultant before entering the retail world.

You can read more about the boutique and Elizabeth on the Shmy Way or the Highway blog by clicking here.

Celebrity Babies Wearing FIDM Alumna Tori Tierney's Designs

When SF Alumna Tori Tierney was thumbing through the March 16, 2009 issue of US Weekly, she was thrilled to see her own designs being worn by Tori Spelling's baby daughter Stella. Jamie-Lynn Spears' daughter Maddie has also been spotted wearing Toni's pint-sized threads. Toni Tierney Children’s Clothing was established in San Rafael, California in 1994. Her whimsical fashions, which are made of 100% cotton knits, are now available in more than 400 boutiques across the U.S.

Yotam Solomon's Fall 2009 Runway Show on Cover of L.A. Weekly

FIDM Grad Yotam Solomon's fall 2009 runway collection full of curve-hugging dresses was well received by the fashion media, but L.A. Weekly took things further, putting a look from the grad's line on its cover!

Yotam's show, which was part of BOXeight Downtown, was attended by Alumna and fashion journalist Niki Shadrow, who wore one of his pieces while sitting in the front row. "Everyone loved the dress and wanted to buy it off of me," said Niki. "I will be covering his show for all my columns and will be pulling some dresses for upcoming shoots."

Nick Verreos' NIKOLAKI Gowns Featured on "Dancing With the Stars"

 

"Dancing With the Stars" co-host Samantha Harris recently donned a crimson red silk strapless gown with a pleated bust and asymmetrical gathered side (along with cute pockets) from NIKOLAKI, Alumni and Instructor Nick Verreos' label. Nick was in the audience thanks to an invitation from Samantha's stylist and fellow "Runway" alum Kit Scarbo.

In the same week, judge Carrie Ann Inaba looked gorgeous in a NIKOLAKI turquoise silk jersey draped Grecian-inspired gown from the spring 2009 collection. Nick and his partner David didn't know she would wear the dress until they saw it on the air.

Carrie Ann Inaba Photo Courtesy of: ABC/KELSEY MCNEAL

Fashion Design Alumna Corinne Grassini Featured in California Apparel News

Fashion Design Alumna Corinne Grassini, the Los Angeles-based designer behind the Society for Rational Dress, was recently profiled in California Apparel News. The story discusses Corinne's  new endeavors and her spring 2009 partnership with Barneys to produce a private-label line, Society for Rational Dress Exclusively for Barneys. Read the entire story by clicking here.

Society for Rational Dress was one of three labels who helped to kick off L.A. Fashion Week last Friday night with GenArt's event at BOXeight. Corinne's fall collection featured soft, creamy knits, Grecian-inspired gowns, and even a chain-and-leather breastplate over a sweet ivory sweater dress. To see more looks from the show just click here.

Interview with Merchandise Product Development Grad Tosha Clemens

Merchandise Product Development Graduate Tosha Clemens, who attended the L.A. campus and worked for companies like Bebe and Frederick's of Hollywood, has a line of handbags, LaBosh, that also raises money for non-profits.

Click here to read an extensive interview with Tosha, where she talks about how important FIDM was in preparing her for the fashion industry!

FIDM SF Student Katie Brown Featured in SF Chronicle

 

Her classmates probably didn't know until now, but FIDM student and famed rock climber Katie Brown has just released a book, "Girl on the Rocks: A Woman's Guide to Climbing With Strength, Grace, and Courage," published by Falcon Guides. Katie, who has been called "the Best Female Climber of the Millennium," is attending FIDM to learn design since she has a clothing sponsor and various endorsement deals. "I want to do clothes for climbing, yoga, general fitness," she tells the San Francisco Chronicle. You can read the entire story here.

FIDM Alumni Mentioned on The Huffington Post

In an article about the current and future state of L.A. Fashion Week, two FIDM Graduates -- Kevan Hall and Yotam Solomon -- were mentioned on The Huffington Post, which is one of the internet's top blogs:

Red carpet master and beloved L.A. designer Kevan Hall, who was a fixture in the Main Tent at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is premiering his fall collection as part of a charity event with The Colleagues, benefiting The Children's Institute. "It was always exciting to show my collection at Smashbox Studios with IMG," Hall explains. "But I think it will be great to see the various creative ways that designers will present their collections in the future. L.A. fashion is a viable force."

Read the entire story here.

FIDM Grad Jen Awad's BOXEight Show Featured in L.A. Times!

Twenty-one-year-old FIDM Alumna Jen Awad just celebrated her first BOXEight runway show at the historic Los Angeles Theatre on Saturday night and the L.A. Times was there. The edgy fall/winter collection, entitled "Flamenco Rock," featured ruched dresses with black and gold lace insets, shift dresses and oversized buttons. You can read the rest of the story here.