FIDM Magazine

Merchandise Marketing Month: Interview With Dept. Chair Marlene Morbit-Dunn

October, you might remember, was Interior Design Month.

But now it's January, and we've got an interview with Marlene Morbitt-Dunn, Chair of the Merchandise Marketing Department. Merchandise Marketing is the FIDM Major that focuses on the buying and selling of wholesale and retail goods.

Marlene Morbitt-Dunn brings her own retail experience to the table. We tracked her down and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

Eco-Friendly Grads Help Make Green the New Black

The eco-friendly Green Movement is in full swing and FIDM Alumni are doing their part to contribute to the health of our planet. In June, Interior Design and International Manufacturing & Product Development Grad James Saavedra, who was a designer on the second season of TLC's Clean Sweep and writes the Décor Fellow blog, and his partner Kelly LaPlante launched JAK a new Art Deco- and Hollywood Regency-inspired handcrafted furnishings line with an environmentally sustainable twist.

"Our motivation is that when we took a look at the existing green furniture available to designers we recognized there was something missing," says James. "I believe it is imperative, now more than ever, for us to take a good hard look at our habits and how they are effecting the world in which we live."

One of the first FIDM Graduates to work in the green industry, Alison K. Pollack, started Earth Friendly Interior Design the same year she graduated, with a goal of creating a healthier environment by using alternative materials. (Pictured at right, one of Alison Pollack's interiors.)

“For the first time there is a connection being made between planet sustainability, health issues with chemical overload, and climate change,” says Alison, who also designs Suite Baby, an organic nursery line. “The amazing sense of gratification that the contribution I made, no matter how great or small, preserves something greater than myself.”

Other FIDM Alumni are also making waves in the movement. Fashion Design Grad Karen Kananen founded Raw Earth & Wild Sky, a sustainable style company that features handmade clothing. Based in L.A., the eco-friendly label uses 100% organic cotton and low impact dyes.

Fellow Fashion Design Alumni and friends Rebecca Eliason and Debra Weaver launched Re-Dewin, a line of recycled vintage clothing, this year. (Pictured at left, a vintage look from Re-Dewin.) And this year, Product Development Graduate Tika Shenghur ‘04 launched Teek Design Studios, a line of creative and contemporary green stationery.

Just Graduated: FIDM Grad Jana Garvin Takes on Manhattan

After graduating from FIDM's Visual Communications Professional Designation Program in June, Jana Garvin headed to New York City to find her dream job. Over the next few weeks on FIDM's Fashion Club Daily, we'll chronicle Jana's job search and get regular updates on her real-life adventures. Click here for the first episode of Life After FIDM: The Jana Garvin Chronicles. --Kim

Meet Dina Morgan, Chair of FIDM’s Interior Design Department, Part I

October is Interior Design month on FIDM Magazine. So of course we wanted to introduce to you the head of FIDM's Interior Design Program, Dina Morgan. We caught up with her on one of her typically busy days …

What made you get involved in the field of Interior Design?
My mother was a Fashion Designer who redirected her talent to remodeling and Interior Design.

I am a graduate of the University of Southern California and also of FIDM. I know FIDM’s Interior Design department from both sides!

(Board 1 of Commercial Thesis Project, above, by FIDM Student Rebecca Steiner)

Dina’s Design Practice:
I do maintain an Interior Design practice, albeit small and based on time constraints and the ability to
meet the needs of a client.

I work in the Pasadena, California area, which is quite traditional.

The projects that I am involved with tend to be residential, small-scale commercial, and retail.

As a Designer, my goal is to respect the age and structure of a building with an interior reflecting the sensibility of the period and the technology of the present moving forward.

In addition we have a retail store, called Dina & Partners, in South Pasadena through which we liquidate
the contents of residential households. Antique, vintage, and gently-used items fill the store.

(Board 2 of Commercial Thesis Project, above, by FIDM Student Rebecca Steiner)

How Dina Became an Interior Designer:
I established my initial Interior Design business through the Pasadena Showcase House of Design.

As a FIDM student I had worked on the Refreshment Area, which was an annual project/class offered as
an elective course in the Interior Design major.

A successful project for many years, it is no longer offered as a class, but students interested in
participating have the opportunity to participate with individual designers.

Annually, FIDM Graduates are represented throughout the House, displaying their skills and abilities. It is
a more personal experience for those students who want to pursue residential design as a career path.

(Board 3 of Commercial Thesis Project, above, by FIDM Student Rebecca Steiner)

Dina's Design Philosophy:
Our goal within FIDM’s Interior Design program is to build a foundation for each student to enable them
to think like and become Designers first, Interior Designers second.

If they learn to think as a Designer, they can literally design anything. With a developed sensitivity and
exposure to the global world, students have the opportunity to tackle projects that are all-encompassing.

(Student boards from Portfolio Review, above)

As Dina says, "The possibilities are endless!"

Stay tuned for parts II, III, and IV of Dina's interview!

An Inside Look at FIDM’s Career Connections 2008

FIDM's 16th Annual Career Connections, an event which brings together successful FIDM Alumni with current FIDM Students for networking and knowledge-sharing, took place last week on the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County campuses. Over 140 FIDM Graduates participated, along with over 1,000 FIDM Students.

Each year some of FIDM's most illustrious Alumni return to the college to share their experience in the industry with current students. From left, Nick Verreos (Project Runway Season 2 Finalist and FIDM Instructor), Raymundo Baltazar (Project Runway Season 2 Finalist and successful Stylist), red carpet designer Kevan Hall, and current Project Runway Finalist Kelli Martin all spent the morning talking to students on the Los Angeles campus.

Here’s what some of the participants had to say about FIDM & Career Connections:

"What I loved about FIDM is that every one of my instructors was in the Beauty Industry. FIDM supports you not only in your education but afterwards, in your career," said Viri Flores, Assistant Manager at a major beauty emporium.

Raymundo Baltazar, who has worked with Ed Hardy, Justin Timberlake's William Rast clothing, and Antiq Denim, had a lot to say, and the crowd around his table was three people thick. "If you don't know fit and you don't know patterns, you're not a designer! Specialize in something and know the basics."

Raymundo continued, "FIDM is one of the best-known fashion colleges in the world. They have the best connections. It's very expensive, but what you get in return is priceless!"

"FIDM gave me a really great start," said Assistant Costume Designer Suzy Magnin, "and a lot of contacts. I got my first job, on Gilmore Girls, through my connections at FIDM." Since then she's worked on Cold Case, CSI, and So You Think You Can Dance, among others.

Emmy Award winning Costumer for Six Feet Under, Jill Ohanneson, told us, "Whenever I need an intern or a Production Assistant, I call FIDM!"

Reactions from the students were just as positive. "Inspirational!" "Very well organized, very well worth it!" and "Inspired me to do more than what is expected," were some of the attendees' remarks afterwards.

So went FIDM's 16th such successful event. Students walked away with not only valuable information on the realities of the industries they hope to enter, but in some cases they gleaned contacts for internships and jobs, with the Alumni benefiting from the event as well.

For more on Career Connections, visit FIDM.edu.

Head to Nick Verreos’s blog for his take on the event.

FIDM Portfolio Days a Success for Students/Companies

Over 300 representatives from 180 top companies such as Burberry, Ed Hardy, BCBG, Zara, and Old Navy reviewed the portfolios of FIDM Students at FIDM's popular Portfolio Days series on the Los Angeles Campus. Many of the companies present at the event currently have FIDM Students and Graduates on their staff and were enthusiastic about the opportunity to see the work of current students. We've already heard of several interviews that are taking place as a result of the event. This is just one of many great career events held at FIDM. Find out more in our Career Center. --Kim

Reps from Gap, Old Navy & More Praise FIDM Student Portfolios

FIDM Industry Partners, including Gap, Old Navy, Levi Strauss, Dockers, The North Face, Gymboree, and VF Outdoors, attended FIDM San Francisco's third annual Portfolio Day event. On display were over 40 portfolios from FIDM Students in Fashion Design, Product Development, Visual Communications, Graphic Design, and Interior Design.

"Over 130 resumes were distributed to the industry for full-time paid positions and full-time paid internships," said FIDM San Francisco's Director of Career Development, Ray Garcia. "Several companies have already contacted graduates to set-up interviews!" --Kim

FIDM Event Connects Students with Rising Industry Stars

This year's Career Connections event was our biggest and most successful ever! FIDM Students received invaluable career advice and an insider's look at some key industries as they networked with FIDM Grads such as Suzy Magnin, Costumer for So You Think You Can Dance; Jill Paget, PR/Marketing Director for Intuition; and Brianna Duran, Product Developer for 7 For All Mankind. Watch the video for event highlights! --Kim

Saks Fifth Avenue Hires 16 FIDM Students

"I just wanted you to know that I have hired sixteen of your students for seasonal sales positions so far, and I still have more work to do," writes Marc Perez, Human Resources Manager for Saks Fifth Avenue. He continues, "Your Job Fair has proven to be the most wildly productive three hours in my career." Head to FIDM's Career Development Center for more information on our Career Connections events. --Kim