FIDM Magazine

Recently Accepted Student Creates Gown for Charity Auction

Recently accepted Merchandise Product Development student Linhda Phan is off to a strong start in her first quarter at FIDM. The honor student’s evening gown design was shown at a downtown LA charity event where it raised $500 for scholarships.

"I landed my first fashion show from a listing on the FIDM portal—by far my greatest accomplishment. My final design, "Baby Vamp," was in NEWH LA's Puttin' On the Ritz Fashion Show on December 10, 2011 at Cicada Restaurant in downtown LA, where hospitality design firms auctioned the gowns. The event’s proceeds all went to a scholarship foundation. I was so proud to see our model walk in the show and to know that the gown was auctioned off for $500."

Read the entire interview at FIDM's FashionClub.com Daily Blog.

FIDM Alumna Emily Factor Shows Downtown

Racked LA has a report on FIDM Alumna and designer Emily Factor's runway show/installation held Downtown as part of LA Fashion Week.

"Emily Factor's look could be described as sophisticated wood-nymph. To call it boho would be to do her work a mighty disservice. She works with whimsical prints that are both ethnic/tribal and possibly inspired by Middle Earth, but most of the pieces are well-tailored and fitted -- not a kaftan in the bunch. At their very best, with their exquisite tailoring, interesting details and unabashed femininity, the clothes remind us of recent seasons of Miu Miu or Christopher Kane. She's already in stores like Les Habitudes; prices range from $270 for a blouse to $1,200 for gowns."

Fashion Design Grad Shows Collection in L.A.

Recent Fashion Design Alumnus Wes Hatem recently featured his latest designs at SalonOnMain in Downtown Los Angeles. "My direction for the show was to put together contemporary sportswear looks that were simple, yet dynamic," says Wes, who previously had a business creating custom made garments for a diverse clientele.

 

While at FIDM, Wes met Sandra Garratt, who was his Business of Fashion Instructor. "From first volunteering at her fashion show, I became her intern. This position evolved into a design and production assistant, with my most notable work being the soft torn t-shirts I designed that are being sold at Sandra's company Silvr Lining," he adds. "My current position with her is a freelance designer, still creating the soft torn tees." 

Learn more about Wes here.

Zooey Deschanel and Cat Deeley in Monique Lhuillier for Emmys

Actress Zooey Deschanel, who stars in the new FOX show, The New Girl, and So You Think You Can Dance? host Cat Deeley both chose Monique Lhuillier for Sunday's 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater in Downtown L.A., just blocks from FIDM. Deschanel, who was a presenter, chose a floor-length pink gown with a ribbon at the waist. Deeley, a nominee, chose a strapless gown with metallic shards sewn in.

FABULOUS! Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries

FABULOUS! Ten Years of FIDM Museum Acquisitions, 2000-2010 is opening on September 13, 2011 at FIDM's Museum & Galleries. This exhibition will showcase an unprecedented array of dress and textile objects from FIDM's collection.

FABULOUS! celebrates the past decade of collecting at the FIDM Museum in Los Angeles. With a surge in extraordinary donations and purchases between 2000 and the present, the FIDM Museum collection has attained new eminence and richness, particularly in the areas of 19th– and 20th–century haute couture, mid–20th century American designers, and international contemporary designers.

The exhibition includes 175 donated and purchased garments and accessories worn by women, men, and children spanning 1800 to 2010. FABULOUS! highlights include: a white gauze French empire gown, a luxurious embroidered court suit worn by Austrian composer Johann Hummel (1778–1837), a Redfern court gown from 1907, and an Alexander McQueen couture gown from Fall/Winter 2008–09.

Exhibition categories include French Haute Couture, International contemporary designers, and Mid–20th century American designers. The exhibition catalogue (pictured) is for sale in the FIDM Museum Shop.

FIDM Trendwatch: Back-to-School Style

Fashion Merchandising student Jeff has a feeling about colors for this fall, and it’s not about neutrals. “In hard times, people need sunny, bright colors. I want to see the return of neons to go against all the gloom,” said the hopeful neon blue-clad student.

Rae Greaves agreed. The Visual Communications major wants to see color everywhere: in her hair, her faux furs, and her cheetah-printed pants. With her hair colored bright red-orange for summer, she is thinking of trying blue for fall. “I like bright, fun colors for hair. And the feathers in the hair trend is dead,” said Rae definitively.

At the Downtown LA fashion school, just steps from the Fashion District, students discussed their wish lists for back-to-school:

Knee-high, chunky boots, with a military or combat twist are at the top of the list of must-have shoes. Visual Communications major Joanne Kim wants hers in “black leather, with silver buckles and zippers—biker style with a 4-inch wedge heel.”

Regarding silhouette, most of the women are ready to give the high waist a chance. Amber  Addington, a Graphic Design major, wants to pair hers with oversized, billowy feminine tops and she’s excited about some new shades of denim she’s previewed. “They’re new washes in delicate shades of pink, blue, gray.” A cool break from dark blue.

The FIDM library, the largest specialized fashion library in the West, is an excellent source for student trend watchers. The library subscribes to various fashion, interior, and graphics forecasting services that predict trends in color, fabric, and silhouette up to 18 months in advance of the season.

At the Graphic Design school, Glen Sese puts together looks spontaneously based on what he finds in thrift shops, but he does have one image stuck in mind for fall. “I’m thinking of a dark jacket with a ‘70s punk feel. I’ll dress it up with a red scarf in houndstooth check,” said the stylish Graphic Design major.

 Graham Smith, just back from a Lykke Li concert, is inspired to find a veil for autumn. “It’s an easy  way to look interesting for evening,” says Graham. He wants a simple, light, sheer black number—down to the chest in front and tucked into a hat for stability, and a touch of mystery.

 

Acuvue & FIDM Team Up to Make Fashion Dreams Come True

On last night’s Teen Choice Awards, millions of viewers learned about the ACUVUE® 1•DAY Contest campaign through a television commercial starring winner Shawn that featured FIDM.

A longer websiode (shown below) features Shawn, a Canadian teen whose 1•DAY Dream was to be a fashion designer, as he gets surprised by celebrity mentor Meaghan Martin with a visit to FIDM to learn about fashion design, patternmaking, and draping with FIDM Instructor Nick Verreos. “I know so many incredible designers have come out of this school,” says Shawn. “I’ve dreamed of going to this school.”

 

And if that wasn’t enough, Shawn was then presented with a scholarship to FIDM! “Dreams really do come true,” he exclaimed. Last night, Meaghan, wearing a dress by NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos and David Paul, and Shawn attended the Teen Choice Awards for a star-studded evening. Other celebrity mentors for the contest included Joe Jonas, Charice, Allyson Felix, and Sterling Knight.

Visit the ACUVUE® YouTube Channel

Visit FIDM’s YouTube Channel 

Watch Teen Choice 2011 and an Exciting Webisode Featuring FIDM Tonight

What is the FIDM connection to a winner of the ACUVUE® 1•DAY Contest? See the excitement on FOX’s Teen Choice 2011 show tonight, August 7th, at 8/7C and watch the winner’s dream come true on the revealing video below!

You’ll see actress Meaghan Martin share tips as she introduces surprise after surprise -- including a FIDM star.

 

Read Nick's Blog here.

See more at the ACUVUE® YouTube Channel

Visit FIDM's YouTube Channel

FIDM Museum & Galleries and FIDM Museum Shop Host Two Events

On Thursday, August 11, 2011, FIDM Museum Shop presents Pearls: The LBD of Jewelry, a presentation and trunk show from Hilary Beane Design. The presentation and Q&A with the jewelry designer is from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, while the trunk show is from 1:30pm to 5:30pm.

Later that evening, FIDM Museum & Galleries hosts a free summer panel, Defining Style: A Conversation With Stylists. Held in Room 500 of FIDM's Los Angeles campus, the panelists include Kendrick Osorio, Jean Getson, Melissa Chataigne, and moderator Jane Seward from California Apparel News.

Light refreshments will be served in the Museum foyer at 5:30pm). The panel discussion is from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Please RSVP at rsvp@fidmmuseum.org.

LBD Exhibition Featured on Reelz Channel

The Reelz Channel recently visited FIDM's Museum & Galleries for a special segment on the LBD (Little Black Dress) exhibition. You may view the clip here.