Alumni

February 02, 2012

Alumna is Styling Newest "Real Housewife of Orange County"

Da18f913b623747fd651b95f8f7642146ca60d46Stylist and FIDM Alumna Leslie Christen (pictured, left) is working with Heather Dubrow, the newest addition to the Real Housewives of Orange County, as a personal stylist.

I was really pleased to find someone so great and easy to work with in Orange County as it was important for me to use someone local,” said Dubrow, who hired Christen for several events during Season 7 filming. “I would call Leslie and explain the look I wanted for a particular event and she would arrive at my home in the next day or two with a rack of options!

Read the article on Greer's OC.

FIDM Grad Chosen for Fashion Incubator SF Program

Lv-incubator29_P_SFC0106291365_part6The San Francisco Chronicle reports that FIDM Graduate Tony Sananikone (pictured, front) a womenswear designer, window stylist for the Gap worldwide, and GenArt Fresh Faces in Fashion winner in 2004, will join the new Fashion Incubator San Francisco program, sponsored by Macy's West, beginning March 5, 2012.

Designers will rent a fully equipped sewing workshop at Macy's and work with fashion, business and retail experts to build their brand. Tony, who was born in a political refugee camp in Bangkok where he learned to sew, is currently working on his first collection of Art Deco-inspired dresses.

February 01, 2012

Alumna is Contestant on NBC's Fashion Star

Lisa Vian Hunter, a Graduate of FIDM's Fashion Design Program, is a contestant on NBC's new competition show, Fashion Star, which starts airing in March. The weekly show will feature 14 designers participating in tasks where they will be mentored by Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie, and John Varvatos. At the end of each episode, American will have the chance to purchase the winning designs that week at Macys, H&M, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Elle Macpherson is the host and executive producer.

FashionStarLisa, who lives in Mercer Island, Washington, is a women's wear designer, mother of two, and lover of all things vintage. She says that women are desperate for gorgeous, affordable clothing made in the USA, and that is what she intends to give them. She is competing for the chance to win a multi-million dollar prize to launch her collection at America's largest retailers. Lisa's designs are inspired by the past and are sold at her store in Seattle. Learn more about Vian Hunter House of Fashion.

Keep up with Lisa on Twitter @lisavianhunter

Catching Up With FIDM Alumna Araceli Kopiloff-Zimmer

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.

AraHow 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!

January 30, 2012

Alumna Worked on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Girl-dragon-tattoo-poster2Alumna Francine Lecoultre was the Costume Textile Artist for the film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

She was recently nominated for a Costume Designer's Guild Award for Excellence in Commercial Costume Design.

January 27, 2012

Costume Designer Mona May Coming to LA Campus

MonaunnamedFIDM Alumna Mona May, the famed costume designer behind films such as Clueless and Enchanted, will be on campus on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, from 11am to 12pm in FIDM Annex Room A332. She will speak to Students about her career and bring a portfolio of her work. Her latest film for 2012 is Vamps, starring Sigourney Weaver and Malcolm McDowell.

FIDM Alumna Worked on Oscar-Nominated Film The Artist

MV5BMzk0NzQxMTM0OV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzU4MDYyNQ@@._V1._SY317_CR12,0,214,317_FIDM Alumna Kaitlynn Wood, a Graduate of the Entertainment Set Design& Decoration Program, worked in the Set Decoration Depart of The Artist, which has been nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Art Direction in Production Design and Set Decoration

Kaitlynn worked under the direction of  Production Designer Laurence Bennett and Set Decorator Robert Gould. She is the first Graduate from Entertainment Set Design & Decoration to receive an on screen credit for an Oscar nominated film in Art Direction.

FIDM Instructor Featured in Locale Magazine

Picture 1FIDM Instructor Ron Pastucha helped create the fashion spread on pages 94 to 102 in Locale Magazine. This issue features a Monique Lhuillier dress on the cover as well as in the spread Ron worked on.

Alumna Leslie Christen is also featured as we recently mentioned.

January 25, 2012

Drew Barrymore Wears Alumna Chan Luu's Scarf

432178_10150519846598655_138118238654_8624803_389299458_nDrew Barrymore was recently spotted wearing a Chan Luu Olivine Cashmere and Silk Scarf. The FIDM Alumna has countless celebrity fans such as Jessica Alba, Beyonce, Vanessa Hudgens, and Nicole Richie.

January 24, 2012

Merchandise Product Development Alumna Designing for Honeydew Intimates

Picture 1Merchandise Product Development Alumna Meredith Grier is an Assistant Designer for Honeydew Intimates. The first group that she designed was bought by Nordstrom and Dillard's and photographed by Stylesight. Look for Meredith's product in stores in May.

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