FIDM Magazine

Apparel Industry Management Grad is Lead Designer for Raven + Lily

Apparel Industry Management Grad Lori Fox (pictured, right) is the lead designer for Raven + Lily, an Austin-based company whose motto is "Empowering Women Through Design."

"I started out as a volunteer with Raven + Lily during my time at FIDM. My passions included design and humanitarian work so my purpose for going to FIDM was to see if these two things could come together," explains Lori, who recently moved back to her native Texas after a decade in L.A.

"I first learned of the issue of human trafficking while in Thailand in 2005, and was heartbroken by the issue and wanted to do whatever I could to help women get out of this situation and create jobs to keep them from being vulnerable."

Alumna Chan Luu in Haiti For Charity Work

Top jewelry designer and FIDM Alumna Chan Luu is currently in Haiti thanks to a major grant from the Clinton/Bush Haiti Fund to the Hand/Eye Fund, which helps artisans connect with the global marketby increasing their export sales. 

"Haiti is an incredibly creative place, filled w/artists of many kinds. The Nation has suffered greatly for a long time, but the creative spirit still continues to thrive. Since the artisan-section reaches widely throughout the culture/country, it has been identified as a key to the post earthquake reconstruction. There is a big problem of violence against women, and employing women in this sector helps the problem," Chan says.

Read Chan's blog post on Haiti here.

FIDM Student Activities Hosts American Red Cross Blood Drive

Students, staff, and faculty donated much-needed blood in this recent Student Activity-hosted event. See more Student Activities-related events.

FIDM Students and Alumni Sew Little Dresses for Africa

FIDM Student Activities and FIDM Alumni Relations hosted a sewing party to create dresses and clothing for little girls and boys in Africa.

Plus: See more Student Activities-related events.

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student Has Traveled the World Helping People

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student Brittney Porter is a recent graduate of BYU and also a newlywed. This Professional Designation Student has a passion for design, family, and helping others (she's volunteered with orphan children in Zambia and taught English in Tonga).

"Like many people, I feel most like myself when I am doing something I love and creative design is definitely something I love. FIDM offers me a very specialized education in Visual Communications, and  is one of the only nationally accredited colleges that is able to do that. Having already earned a degree, FIDM acknowledges that accomplishment and offers a Professional Designation program which allows me to focus on specific course work instead of extra general studies. 

FIDM has over 19,000 employer contacts as well as provides hands-on experiences and an industry-directed curriculum. FIDM absolutely seems intent on helping its students start and establish a long lasting career."

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

SF Campus Librarian is Guest Speaker at Charity Launch Event

SF Campus Librarian Adam Elsholz is a distinguished guest speaker for the Discarded to Divine Designer Orientation launch event on October 1, 2011 at California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

Discarded to Divine features a collection of one-of-a-kind fashion creations and exquisite  home decor created from disgarded clothing and materials, benefitting the St. Vincent de Paul Society's services to people battling poverty, homelessness, and domestic violence.

FIDM particpates in the event each year.

FIDM Wins Two Canstruction Awards

At the Orange County Canstruction Awards Gala on Sunday night, FIDM took home the People's Choice Award and Best Meal Award for the amazing handbag that was created from 9,500 cans. The sculpture is currently on display at South Coast Plaza through September 25, 2011.

FIDM Lending a Hand to "Bag" Hunger

For the third year, Students from FIDM Orange County are participating in Canstruction.

Their handbag, made entirely out of 9,500 cans, is currently on display outside of the Judith Leiber store at South Coast Plaza through September 25, 2011.

Vote for FIDM's structure at Canstruction OC's Facebook Page. Click on "Official - People's Choice Award Voting" and "Like" FIDM's structure.

All of the cans will be donated to Orange County food banks after the contest is over.

See FIDM's canned goods sculpture on the KTLA Morning News here.

FIDM San Diego Students Compete for Charity

Riviera Magazine has coverage of the seven FIDM Fashion Design Students who participated in a live draping competition to benefit the Princess Project, which provides prom dresses to low-income teens. Jake Avila (pictured, at right) won the judges over with his Black Swan-inspired gown.

In other San Diego campus news, FIDM was featured on Fox 5 for a Make-A-Wish event. View the video clip here.

FIDM Graduates Featured at S.F. Charity Gala

San Francisco's J.W. Marriott Metropolitan recently welcomed over 200 attendees for the 2nd annual Give Back Gala, which supports the local non-profits Woman Inc. and Career Closet.

The dinner was followed by a 50-minute fashion show produced by San Francisco FIDM Alumni Association President Nikki Lindgren of Style Bust. The show was comprised of 10 established and emerging Bay Area designers, eight of whom are FIDM graduates.

 Featured above is FIDM Alumna Catalina Alcala and her models. To read more about the participating designers visit Nikki's blog.