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
Project Runway is now filmed at FIDM. Go behind-the-scenes! 
