Spring is in the air, and that means it's time for FIDM Spring Open House events! Learn about the college's 20 exciting majors (including Fashion Design, Graphic Design, and Interior Design), have your questions answered and get advice from FIDM Grads and Admissions Advisors, and find out how FIDM's network of industry professionals can help launch your creative career.

There are two Open House events happening on April 28, 2012:

FIDM Orange County

 From its ultra-modern lofts to the eye-popping colors, FIDM's award-winning Orange County campus is truly a sight to behold! You can check out this visually stunning campus on Saturday, April 28 from 11am - 1pm and meet celebrity guest and FIDM Grad Nick Verreos!

FIDM San Diego

FIDM's San Diego campus is unlike any other college campus! Overlooking the gorgeous San Diego Bay, FIDM San Diego's colorful and modern design was created by renowned architect Clive Wilkinson. You can experience this wonderful campus for yourself on Saturday, April 28 starting at 11am.

For more details on FIDM Spring Open House, and to reserve your spot at these exciting and informative events, visit FIDM.edu.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York was marked by front rows filled with A-list celebs (including a Jonas brother and George Lucas), a performance by recording artist Theophilus London, and of course, the Fall 2012 collections from some of the biggest names in the industry. Here's a recap of some of the week's most buzzed about moments:

French Dressing at Kate Spade New York

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The webosphere went wild for Kate Spade New York's presentation (styled by fashionisto Brad Goreski)-- a colorful collection of girly pieces inspired by the French gamine, featuring one-of-a-kind illustrated prints by Parisian blogger Garance Dore. And in case you missed the French twist, a peter pan collared shirt reading "Pardon My French" made things perfectly clear.

Rachel Zoe's First Runway Show

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Rachel Zoe has presented her collection for several seasons now, but for Fall 2012 the stylist-turned-fashion designer took the proverbial plunge into the runway waters--and scored rave reviews. 

Theophilus London Opened for Rebecca Minkoff

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Fashion and music go hand in hand; where you find one, you will most certainly find the other. Case in point, Rebecca Minkoff pumped up the volume on her show by having hip-hop artist Theophilus London perform his hit "I Stand Alone" before the models even hit the runway, giving attendees a concert and fashion show rolled into one.

A George Lucas Sighting

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Anna Wintour, Rachel Bilson, and even young fashion darling Tavi Gevinson are familiar fixtures at Fashion Week, so it's both surprising and fabulous to see someone like Star Wars creator George Lucas at the shows. But there he was, seated next to Dakota Fanning in the front row at Rodarte. Also a bit surprising, Joe Jonas at Jeremy Scott and Stanley Tucci at Nanette Lepore.

"We all get dressed for Bill." -- Vogue editor Anna Wintour

For over thirty years photographer Bill Cunningham has chronicled the fashion trends of some of the world's best-known celebrities (think Greta Garbo and the aforementioned Anna Wintour) and the street styles of random New Yorkers, all from the seat of his Schwinn bicycle.

On November 30, 2011, the Getty Museum is hosting a free screening of "Bill Cunningham New York," a documentary about the man, his camera, and his bike. A discussion with Philip Gefter, the film's producer, will follow the screening. Go here for more info on this free event. --Angel

If ever a celebrity was perfect to create a line of nail polish, rap superstar Nicki Minaj is the one. With a fashion sense that can most accurately be compared to a flamboyant and sassy Barbie doll (if Barbie actually was flamboyant and sassy), and an obvious love for color, Minaj is channeling her creative style into Nicki Minaj for OPI to be launched in January 2012. Each color in the collection will be named after her tunes (e.g. Super-Bass Shatter and Pink Friday), and since there will be six hues, you can change your manicure almost as often as Nicki Minaj changes her hair. We said almost! Go here to check out the colors.

We kind of can't wait to see The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, so imagine our delight to hear that costume designer Trish Summerville has created a clothing line inspired by the film's heroine Lisbeth Salander and it'll be sold at H&M! The collection has 30 pieces that are gritty and dark (anything but girly), like the character that inspired them. Look for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo clothing line in H&M stores December 14. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo hits theaters exactly one week later.

It's always exciting to hear when a favorite designer is launching something new, and, after an enormously successful Spring 2012 runway show, Miuccia Prada has announced a jewelry line. The collection, which launches in November, will include necklaces, bracelets, brooches, and rings, and will feature Prada's trademark elements of animal skin, fur, and gems.  --Angel

To commemorate its 15th anniversary, Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon has introduced a capsule collection of shoes inspired by several of the most popular styles from the label's archives. Called Jimmy Choo Icons, the classic shoes have been reimagined with bold colors and textures (including hand-applied feathers, crystals, and giant, glittery corsages), lending a modern edge to the footwear that helped rocket the Jimmy Choo brand into footwear stardom. And for those who can't afford the $850-$2,495 price tags, there's Jimmy Choo XV, a coffe table book featuring the company's fifteen most significant shoes, along with red carpet images, design sketches, and behind-the-scenes photos. The Jimmy Choo Icons collection can be seen and pre-ordered here.

Japanese fashion chain Uniqlo feted the grand opening of its newest and largest flagship store in NYC last Thursday with a huge party that drew some 1,600 guests, including a bevy of celebrities and New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The store, an enormous 89,000 square feet, is located on the city's stylish Fifth Avenue.

Considered the Gap of Japan, Uniqlo is known and loved for selling reasonably-priced, casual fashion, and, despite having neighbors like luxury brands Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, and Louis Vuitton, the new flagship is no exception. There are floor to ceiling displays of cashmere sweaters priced from $50-60 and jeans on sale for around $10! --Angel

Last week, the Today Show featured one-of-a-kind wedding gown design dresses by Project Runway designers in honor of the upcoming royal wedding. Nick designed an ivory silk zibrerline column gown with a pleated high-neck, cap sleeves, side-front pockets, and a full pleated back train. Lifetime will auction off Nick's dress for charity.

Visit Nick's blog for more information.

FIDM Alumni L.A. Chapter President Vani Kumar, founder of The Suit Closet, was recently featured on The Brand Show. Vani talked about how the suit is making a comeback thanks to the increasing number of businesswomen and even the recession, which has professionals dressed to impress.

Vani reminds listeners to get back to the basics of business and branding, starting with customer service. You may listen to the interview here.

 

Arrive By 25 author and speaker Nick Sarnicola paid a visit to FIDM's Orange County Campus on Tuesday to speak about pursuing entrepreneurship, goal-setting, giving back, and being inspired to do something big with one's life. The self-made millionaire stressed the importance of networking and "reading everything you can get your hands on."

Sarnicola, who will be a guest speaker at FIDM San Diego on April 28, has earned a reputation as a leader of Generation Y as an expert sales and training strategist. "He motivated me in such a way that no speak has done before," says FIDM Student Cam Pham. "He has such a positive energy that was easy to feed off of."

Several hundred fashion fans, along with California Senator Dianne Feinstein, FIDM Director Norine Fuller, San Francico Mayor Gavin Newsom, Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, California congressman Jim Costa, and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, turned out for a Sunday afternoon fashion show at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington DC for The Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and Fashion Show.

Emceed by FIDM Grad and Instructor Nick Verreos (Project Runway), the annual event was hosted by the California State Society of Washington, DC and FIDM. Guests were treated to runway selections from FIDM Grads such as Verreos, Leanne Marshall, and Kevan Hall. 

As part of the "Runway to Change" initiative, more than 10 American designers have created official merchandise to support the cost of the inauguration festivities that took place yesterday.

The designer merchandise includes tote bags, a scarf, and t-shirts, including the one at left by the two women behind Juicy Couture, Gela Taylor and FIDM Grad Pamela Skiast-Levy.

Other designers include Zac Posen, Donna Karan, Narciso Rodrieguez, and Diane von Furstenberg.

The collection is available at the Presidential Inaugural Store at 625 E Street Northwest in Washington through today.

Some of the collection will also be available here through February -- though Juicy's appears to have already sold out! --Belissa