FIDM Magazine

Interview: Just Accepted Orange County Student Linda Tang

I recently graduated from USC with a B.A. in International Relations and Global Business & Marketing. Growing up as the daughter of two dedicated entrepreneurs I was inspired to start my own business—in high school I designed and sold a line of custom yoga pants and served on the Fashion Board at Nordstrom.  In college, I established a creditable student-run entertainment and marketing company, TeamTME.com. Currently, we have student teams in four universities; USC, UCLA, UC Santa Cruz and UC Berkeley. --Linda Tang, Professional Designation Apparel Manufacturing & Management, Orange County Campus

Continue reading our interview with Linda Tang!

FIDM Grad Wins Rising Star of the Year Award

FIDM Apparel Manufacturing Management Grad Vani Kumar, owner of The Suit Closet, was honored with a Rising Star of the Year award by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Congratulations!

Pierce Jeans on FOX 11's Good Day L.A.

FIDM Grad David Hwang is president of Pierce Jeans, the denim brand featured in a recent Good Day L.A. denim makeover style segment. Watch the video here. --Kim

Watch FIDM Grad Jennifer Parker On "Amazing Race"

Apparel Manufacturing Management Grad Jennifer Parker and her boyfriend Nate Hagstrom, a former Long Beach State volleyball player, became glued to the television watching the All Star Edition of the hit show "The Amazing Race." Nate's mom suggested that the duo audition for the show and with fierce determination they were accepted. "It was a golden opportunity and it changed my life forever," says Jennifer, who will be seen on the CBS show starting on Sunday. "The experience is engraved in my bones for eternity."

Jennifer says that her time at FIDM helped to prepare her for this global adventure. "I definitely think that my creative and optimistic education I received at FIDM was useful in helping me race around the world," says Jennifer, who used to be a Los Angeles Clippers dancer. A San Diego native, Jennifer now resides in Huntington Beach. "I wouldn't have ran this race with anybody else in the world," she adds. "We are both very dominant and strong-willed so it definitely caused some conflict, which should be very interesting to watch!" --Victoria

Style Scoop Q&A: Jenny Parker

With a degree in Apparel Manufacturing Management, FIDM Grad Jenny Parker has managed to make a career out of what started out as a hobby. She took her knowledge of auto upholstery and her love for hot rods, custom car culture, and vintage glamour and turned it into her company, Trophy Queen, which makes gorgeous handbags, wallets, and other accessories. Read more about Jenny in Fashion Club Daily's latest Style Scoop Q&A.

FIDM Grad Christian Arkins Is Creative Director for William & Augusta

FIDM Apparel Manufacturing Management Program Grad Christian Arkins is now the Creative Director and Brand President for William & Augusta, a new collection of women's wear that seeks to bring back "investment dressing." Be sure to check out William & Augusta's website for more info because the current theme pays homage to classic screen icons like Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Veronica Lake.

Christian describes the line to Mae West in a playful imaginary interview, revealing "It's like old world glamour meets modern sophisticate--a little playful, allotta' sassy and classic." Christian, formerly Creative Director at Original Penguin, is based in NYC and runs the brand out of his Williamsburg loft. Head to our Style Scoop  Q&A archive for an interview with Christian. --Kim

FIDM Grad Uses Lottery Win to Fund Dream Business

When FIDM Apparel Manufacturing and Management Grad Vani Kumar hit the jackpot--literally--she used the $286,665 to bring the detailed business plan she'd just created to life. Amazingly, her winnings came within $200 of what she needed to start The Suit Closet, a downtown Los Angeles shop filled with--you guessed it--suits. LA Weekly has a great profile on the lucky lady here. --Kim