FIDM Magazine

SMASHING DARLING Profiles Designer Angela Johnson

FIDM Grad and Fashion Designer Angela Johnson is featured on the indie boutique and blog Smashing Darling. Here' s an excerpt from the interview:

When I had about one quarter left of school at FIDM, I went to their career development center and they helped me get a job as a cutter for my favorite clothing line, X-Large Manufacturing (a men’s line owned by Mike D. of the Beastie Boys) and X-Girl (a girl’s line under the same company which was owned by Kim Gordon of the band Sonic Youth).

Click here to read the rest of the interview and see more pix of Angela's line.

CALIFORNIA APPAREL NEWS Declares Lhuillier a 2008 Newsmaker

We're used to seeing FIDM Fashion Design Grad Monique Lhuillier in the headlines, so it comes as no surprise that California Apparel News would feature the designer on the cover of its 2008 Newsmakers issue! Here's an excerpt:

Lhuillier, who launched her eponymous brand in 1996 with a bridal collection, has added ready-to-wear, a handbag collection, a retail store on tony Melrose Place in Los Angeles and the beginnings of a tableware line to her list of accomplishments. Her designs—often featured in glossy magazine spreads, on regulars on the red carpet and on the runways during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York—are among California’s most visible contributions to the world of high fashion.

Congrats to Monique and her team! -- Victoria

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.

FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads' Shoe Featured in December Vogue Magazine

Success!

The model in the photo at left is wearing a pair of sandals designed by FIDM Footwear Design Program Grads Cherise Angelle and Nicole LaFave from their Omelle (ähm' elle) line. 

Here's a snippit from their site:

"Amidst illustrations, scrap fabrics and inspiration boards at LA's prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, two shoe-obsessed designers discovered a common interest—luxury footwear with a distinct and imaginative voice."

Sounds like they'll have some interesting things to say in that voice! --Belissa

Juicy Couture Dedication Wall Unveiled on FIDM Campus

 
FIDM Grad and Juicy Couture co-founder Pamela Skaist-Levy and her friend and business partner Gela Nash-Taylor were honored at a special ceremony on FIDM's Los Angeles Campus last Thursday night when a stunning visual display dedicated to Juicy Couture was unveiled. The duo also received special commendation from the City of Los Angeles during the ceremony and press conference.

FIDM Instructor and Project Runway star Nick Verreos also attended the event, along with industry notables and FIDM founder Tonian Hohberg. Juicy Coutures stores are located around the world, including Los Angeles, Milan, Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Watch this space for more photos of the Juicy Couture Dedication wall, which will be on permanent display at FIDM's Downtown Los Angeles Campus. --Kim

FIDM Grad Leanne Marshall Wins 'Project Runway'!

We are thrilled to announce that FIDM Alumna Leanne Marshall won first place in this season's Project Runway! A recipient of FIDM's Designer of Tomorrow Scholarship Award, Leanne graduated from the San Francisco Campus in 2001. Though this season's competition has been fierce, Leanne showed the highest degree of professionalism, technical skill, and innate talent.

"Without a doubt it's been the most amazing experience," said Leanne. "I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Next up Leanne is set to start her new label with a little help from her Project Runway winnings, $100,000 seed money from Tresemmé! Watch this space for further details. --Kim

Kevan Hall Runway Show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, L.A.

Renowned FIDM Grad and "Designer of Tomorrow" scholarship winner Kevan Hall premiered his latest collection for Spring/Summer 2009 at the opening night of this week's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Los Angeles.

The stunning collection entitled "Stage Door" was inspired by MGM costumer Adrian who dressed silver screen movie stars like Katharine Hepburn, Norma Shearer, and Joan Crawford and features looks "that could take any screen star from Rehearsals, to Filming, to Publicity shoots." 

WWD said about the show: "Old-school Hollywood glamour is a favorite red carpet inspiration, so Kevan Hall, being no stranger to either, looked back to the style of famed MGM costumer Adrian. The result was a pre-Technicolor palette that lent itself beautifully to the designer’s structured “let’s do lunch” day dresses and signature diva gowns trimmed with crystals."

The talented designer has dressed everyone from Charlize Theron to Salma Hayek. Find out more about Kevan's career at FIDM.edu. --Kim

FIDM Grad Is Stylist for The Starter Wife

Strictly Fabulous Style interviews FIDM Fashion Design Grad Agata Maskiewics about her job as stylist for the T.V. show The Starter Wife. Here's an excerpt:

"Fashion is almost like another character in The Starter Wife. So much of the personality of the actors comes through in the clothing they wear. Our goal is to have the audience as excited about the fashions as they are the characters. We want the people at home to feel as though they can hear the ruffle of Molly’s Zac Posen silk dress and smell the exquisite leather of her Manolos. We want them to daydream about getting into Molly’s closet and have the opportunity to dress from it everyday as she does. And yes, the closet is huge, since as a Hollywood woman, she never repeats an outfit!"

Read the rest of the interview here. --Kim

OdileOdette Is One of Gen Art's Fresh Faces In Fashion

Fashion Design Professional Designation program graduates Nichole Kreglow and Stephanie Bodnar have been selected to show their line OdileOdette at this year's Gen Art runway show featuring collections from all the winning designers. The two met while attending classes, including History of Costume and Intermediate and Advanced Draping and Pattern Drafting, at FIDM San Francisco. Read our interview with Nichole and Stephanie at FIDM's Fashion Club Daily. --Kim

FIDM Interior Design Department's Annual "Chairing Styles" Exhibition

October is FIDM Magazine's tribute to the Interior Design Department, and one of the most exciting annual projects in the Interior Design Department is "Chairing Styles," which shares the glory with the Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Departments at FIDM's DEBUT Gala in early Spring.

What is FIDM's "Chairing Styles"?

FIDM's annual "Chairing Styles" Project pulls together FIDM's Interior Design Students, Fashion Design Students, and Textile Design Students who work as a team.

The Textile Design Students design the fabric for the upholstery and the clothing.

The Fashion Design Students design the outfit that matches the chair.

The Interior Design Students design a chair that incorporates the fabric designed by the Textile Design Students.

At FIDM's annual DEBUT Gala, in conjunction with the Debut Fashion Show, there is an exhibition of the year's "Chairing Styles" collaborations.--Belissa