FIDM Magazine

FIDM Partners With Vera Bradley For Textile Design Project

FIDM Textile Design Students recently got the opportunity to work with Vera Bradley on a design project for their Portfolio class. The assignment was to design a set of prints for cotton fabrics to promote breast cancer awareness. It was an amazing chance for the students to get real world professional experience.

The students created three designs: an all-over print, foulard, and trims. Executives from Vera Bradley Product Development provided guidance and critique for the students at critical stages in the process. Vera Bradley design team members were able to give the students an idea of how the creative process works when meeting with designers and going through print development—excellent preparation for the work force.

The designs, bags, and fabric are currently on display at FIDM's Los Angeles campus. Find out more about the project here.

Torrid's House of Dreams Event at FIDM

Torrid, the wildly popular plus size retailer, recently held their House of Dreams Model Search event On the Park at FIDM Los Angeles. The seven lucky winners came to L.A. from all over the U.S for a VIP experience that culminated with a runway event that featured Torrid fashions and couture dresses from FIDM Fashion Design students. 

 

Through October 10, fashion fans may bid on these dresses with the proceeds going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. You can learn more about the FIDM designed "Power of Pink" dresses on the Fashion Club blog. "We were so impressed by the work that the FIDM students did and thank them for their hard work and dedication on this project," said Torrid president Chris Daniel.

FIDM Receives Two Awards for the Forever Fashionable Beach House

Orange County's HomeAid, a community based organization that builds and renovates housing across the entire homeless continuum of care spectrum, held its 18th Annual Project Playhouse, featuring scaled down houses designed by local talent. W Custom Homes, Hove Design Alliance, Lifescapes, Ransom Group, and FIDM teamed up to design the Forever Fashionable Beach House, which features vintage Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring, Venetian plaster walls, and a convertible playroom for children. The beach house won two awards, The Imagination Award and the The Grand Award - Second Place. Congrats to all involved! You can read more about the project and team here.

FIDM Visual Communications Students Team Up With Men's Line life/after/denim

L.A.-based menswear label life/after/denim and FIDM Visual Communications students from the Visual Presentation class teamed up for a window project for the brand's Beverly Boulevard showroom space. Four teams of students came up with different concepts to pitch to life/after/denim's design team and the winning winning design is currently being installed at the LAD showroom.

"We are thrilled to be collaborating with FIDM on our Fall '09 window design," says LAD creative director Alexis Frey. "The students are vibrant, energetic, and innovative. They bring a fresh perspective and are led by a true professional in the industry, Ken Donham." The label, focused on fit, quality, function, and wearable design, will debut this fall at Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, and Planet Blue.

Visual Communications Grads Enjoy Their First Mixer

More than 100 FIDM Grads and industry folks gathered at The Target Terrace at The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live for the first Visual Communications Alumni Mixer with special guest hosts from Saks Fifth Avenue. "It's exciting because it's bringing everybody back together," said Director of Visual Communications and Career Development Advisor Cynthia Patino. "It's so beautiful up here and we've got two alums who work for the Grammy Museum." Attendees enjoyed tasty fare from Wolfgang Puck Catering and cocktails while taking in the stunning views of Downtown.

Photos by Brian Sanderson

Students Network with Alumni and Top Companies

Last week, FIDM's Campuses held Career Connections, where students are given the opportunity to interact with FIDM Alumni from all majors working in the Industry, and the FIDM Job Fair, which brings more than 55 companies, who are ready to recruit FIDM Students. More than 600 students participated and more than 3,000 applications and resumes were submitted to employers, and 22 students received on-the-spot job offers!

Represented companies included Saks Fifth Avenue, American Apparel, Juicy Couture, Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdale's, Kate Spade, and many more! Representatives from Ed Hardy said that Career Connections was, "very effective, the candidates came prepared with all of their materials."

FIDM Student Gets Summer Internship at Armani in Beverly Hills

The Giorgio Armani store in Beverly Hills has placed FIDM Students with internships for more than six years in the Entertainment Industry Public Relations Department, which is led by Senior Director and FIDM Advisory Council member Greg Nise. This year, Greg worked with the store manager to create an internship for the boutique side of the business, with an emphasis in retail management and operation support. Merchandise Marketing Student Megan Boyer has been selected for the summer quarter! She'll learn about the processing of goods and how they are distributed into the store. The history of Armani and a review of the different brands will be discussed, followed by product knowledge, merchandising, and working with buyer's reports. Congratulations, Megan!

FIDM Students Re-Interpret Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

As part of a design competition to re-interpret Dorothy's iconic ruby slippers in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, 12 Footwear Design Students created sketches for The Ruby Slipper Collection.

Winner Kaddie Lam will be flown out to New York City in September for a charity auction at Tavern on the Green that will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The winner and three finalists' sketches were recently displayed in the FIDM Museum and Galleries.

Cookie Johnson Launches Denim Line With Help of FIDM Alumna

Cookie Johnson, wife of sports icon Magic Johnson, has launched CJ by Cookie Johnson, a premium denim line. Frustrated when she couldn't find jeans to fit her body type, Johnson teamed up with Michael Glasser and FIDM Alumna Joie Rucker, who are the dynamic duo behind Rich & Skinny Jeans. You can read more about the new label here. The line, available in sizes 24 to 38, debuts at Nordstrom this summer and will arrive at Bloomingdale's and Neiman Marcus in the fall.

Study Fashion Design at FIDM! 

Industry Expo at FIDM Los Angeles

 

This week, FIDM Students and corporate representatives from top companies such as Hot Topic, Guess, Wet Seal, Vans, and Saks Fifth Avenue, came together for the annual Industry Expo at the L.A. campus. The career fair gives upcoming FIDM Grads and Alumni the opportunity to network with industry reps, discuss career options, and gather information. "The Industry Expo gives students a place where they can network at one given time with 25-plus companies and meet with their representatives, learn about different careers, cultivate internships, and create resources for when they do graduate," says FIDM Career Advisor Eliza Kitsinian.