We recently heard about a FIDM Fashion Design Alumna who lived at a nunnery while studying at FIDM in the 1980s. We just had to get the whole scoop straight from Araceli Kopiloff-Zimmer.
How did you come to live at a nunnery while at FIDM? It was 1986, and I wanted to go to FIDM more than anything, but I was really young. I had graduated high school when I just turned 16. My father was a doctor in a small conservative town so the thought of me moving to Downtown LA was not going to happen and I don't blame my parents in retrospect.
I was determined to go to FIDM. My parents would have let me attend had there been a dorm, but back then students had to find their own living arrangements. I thought, what's the most non-threatening, non-party, boy-free place to live that my parents could not say no to? A nunnery! Where there's a will there's a way. So I looked up a nunnery in LA and made living arrangements. So that's where I lived while attending FIDM!
We heard that you met the famous artist Keith Haring while you were a FIDM Student. One night there was a Keith Haring art opening and Andy Warhol was going to be there. The problem at the nunnery was that they locked the gates to the garage at 10pm or 11pm. There was no place safe to park outside so if I missed the curfew I'd be locked out and they would call my parents. Again, I had to figure out a solution. There was a particular nun, Sister Nell, who was really old and I think deaf but she liked going out to eat so I would invite her to go out with me sometimes so that if we were late she could open the gate.
It started with going out to eat; I'd hang out and talk with my friends and she would just eat and mind her own business so it was fine. Then I started to take her to clubs and she didn't mind! So when this opening was announced I knew she was my ticket! It was summer, I was tanned and wearing a backless white linen halter with wide pants, all one piece. I had very high heels, slicked back hair, and Chanel red lips. I wore black accessories, the main one being a nun wearing black and white!
I'm 5'10" plus heels and she was about five feet tall. Once at the opening "we" were all the rage. Haring came to talk to me and so did Warhol telling me: "You're so cool, you have your own nun!" I think, no, I know that was the definitive moment when I understood the meaning and power of fashion and being fabulous!
How did FIDM help prepare you for your career? The instructors were great, I liked that they worked on the industry, and could give real advice. The placement department always had great leads. I was able to get a job that took me to Milan as my first job after graduating. I designed for Levi Strauss in San Francisco for many years with international travel which I loved!
What are you doing today? I moved to St. Louis to design private label for May Co. I had met my now husband and he couldn't move so I stayed. I had a dream of owning a cafe so this was the time to make it happen. I took my life and travel experiences of foods I loved, design ideas, and having dealt with many people my entire career I think I created an incredible place called Rue Lafayette. It is in a historic French neighborhood so the name is a perfect fit. I love Paris and went there for work many times so Rue Lafayette is my homage.
We have live bands, Jazz, and lots of retro bands with great style so fashion is always present! HGTV and DIY have done an episode about Rue Lafayette our events and the cafe in general always get a lot of coverage. I have a Boston Terrier who is also a big hit in St. Louis, she is known for her style! She wears Chanel!
