FIDM Magazine

FIDM Students Re-Interpret Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

As part of a design competition to re-interpret Dorothy's iconic ruby slippers in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, 12 Footwear Design Students created sketches for The Ruby Slipper Collection.

Winner Kaddie Lam will be flown out to New York City in September for a charity auction at Tavern on the Green that will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The winner and three finalists' sketches were recently displayed in the FIDM Museum and Galleries.

FIDM Alumnae Launch a Jewelry and Accessories Line

FIDM Graduates Nathalie Jamar and Dena Blankmeyer have come together to launch d.LAINE, a jewelry and accessory line that incorporates materials from years gone by. Their mission is to "make green beautiful, to find new life in the old, to connect creators of every kind, to generate honest, innovative, works of art that stand for beauty and nature." Their well-priced line features necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, and bandeaus.

FIDM Alumnae Featured on Daily Candy!

Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave's luxury footwear line Omelle was featured on Daily Candy's Los Angeles edition today!

Their virtual boutique, where you can view each shoe from a 360-degrees, offers some of the most beautiful footwear you'll find anywhere!

The two grads, who realized their common interest for luxury footwear with a distinct and imaginative voice while at FIDM, are dedicated to serving the sophisticated shopper. -- Victoria

Sophia Bush and Jamie Lynn Spears Choose Lhuillier

Celebrities have always been big-time fans of Monique Lhuillier so it comes as no surprise that Sophia Bush picked an elegant ivory gown from the FIDM Grad to wear at the Art of Elysium's 2nd annual Heaven Gala in L.A. over the weekend. In other news, it is being widely reported that Jamie Lynn Spears handpicked a Lhuillier gown for her upcoming wedding.

Read all about Monique and her time at FIDM by clicking here!

-- Victoria

FIDM Museum & Galleries To Participate in Downtown Art Walk This Thursday

This year, the FIDM Museum & Galleries is a stop on the December Los Angeles Downtown Art Walk on Thursday, December 11th, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Busses will take shoppers from the main area of the Art Walk (all info is on the Art Walk site) to FIDM and bring them back again.

Of course, you can come directly to FIDM and buy "Art To Wear" from two faculty artists and two alumni artists.

The artists participating at the FIDM Museum & Galleries are:

• Robin Wagner, FIDM Faculty, with her line of Suicide Kings men's sweaters.
• Sharon Cohen, FIDM Faculty, with her line of Bicron Design hand-loomed scarves and shawls.
• Claudia Grau, FIDM Alumna, with her line of Grau Designs recycled cashmere sweaters.
• Joe Viboonviriyawong, FIDM Alumnus, with his line of Vilaiwan exquisite semi-precious hand-made jewelry (seen above.)

The Art Walk takes place monthly every second Tuesday, but this is the only time you can come to The FIDM Musuem & Galleries and view and purchase the work of FIDM Faculty and Grads.

Directions to the FIDM Museum & Galleries, on the FIDM Los Angeles Campus, are here.--Belissa

FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads' Shoe Featured in December Vogue Magazine

Success!

The model in the photo at left is wearing a pair of sandals designed by FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave from their Omelle (ähm' elle) line. 

Here's a snippit from their site:

"Amidst illustrations, scrap fabrics and inspiration boards at LA's prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, two shoe-obsessed designers discovered a common interest—luxury footwear with a distinct and imaginative voice."

Sounds like they'll have some interesting things to say in that voice! --Belissa

Fashion Club Daily Q&A: Jenna Daunais Works for Bling Diva Tarina Tarantino

Recent FIDM Merchandise Marketing Grad Jenna Daunais just snared a job working for the fuschia-haired Queen of Bling, Tarina Tarantino.

Tarina's sparkly eye-candy is a favorite of celebs and stylists--for instance, indie princess Avril Lavigne loves this Punk Rock Tiara. Jenna shares about her favorite designers and ultimate shopping destination in the latest Fashion Club Daily interview.

Shop for FIDM Alums' Designs at FIDM's Museum Shop ... Online!

Now you don't have to come to FIDM's L.A. Campus to visit the FIDM Museum Shop and purchase the work of some of FIDM's creative Grads. Some of the shop's products and one-of-a-kind designs are being featured on the Museum Shop website. For instance, here's Katherine Marinaro's GoGoGear Voyage Travel Bag. It's a fabulous and roomy bag made out of rich, luscious leather, with a trolley handle and a padded laptop compartment. Spoil yourself!

Of course, if you do come to visit the Museum Shop in person, you'll find a lot more great stuff created by FIDM Alums and others, and the inventory is constantly changing. --Belissa

Fashion Event: Jewelry Designer Trunk Show in Santa Monica

Polthakorn Viboonviriyawong is a mouthful, but you can call this Thai-born Visual Communications Grad Joe. And you'll want to, when you see his spectacular hand-made, one-of-a-kind Vilaiwan collection of jewelry designs inspired by flowers and vintage pieces. His work, which is comprised of precious and semi-precious stones, beadwork, and 14 karat gold detailing, has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, In Style, and DailyCandy.com. View his collection at a trunk show on Friday, June 29th from 3-7 p.m. and on Saturday, June 30th from 11 a.m.-6 p.m in Santa Monica.  His art-to-wear is definitely a must-see! Click here for more details on the event.

FIDM Grad Finalist in Steven Madden Art+Sole Contest

FIDM Footwear Design Grad Irene Hsu is one of the five finalists chosen by Steve for the Steve Madden's Art+Sole Competition. The winning shoe will be in Steve Madden's fall line! Check out Irene's design and vote for your favorite look!  --Kim