FIDM Magazine

Scholarships From Cotton, Inc. For FIDM Students Only!

Be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime scholarship opportunity!

We are excited to announce that Cotton Incorporated has awarded us $30,000 in scholarship donations to give to a handful of dedicated, innovative, and eager-to-learn students!

FIDM has been given the challenge of picking a select number of students to participate in one of two programs in which the students will be required to think outside of the box, while creating, developing, and producing their own designs.

At the end of both projects, a total of FOUR $5,000 scholarships and ONE $10,000 scholarship will be awarded to the winners!

These projects are open to ALL MAJORS!

The project start date will be August 1, 2008 and will run until December 10th, 2008.

You can pick up the application in Room 201E or in Room 201, Desk #5.

All applications are due NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 28TH, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Starling at 213.624.1200 x3016 or astarling@fidm.edu.

FIDM Portfolio Days a Success for Students/Companies

Over 300 representatives from 180 top companies such as Burberry, Ed Hardy, BCBG, Zara, and Old Navy reviewed the portfolios of FIDM Students at FIDM's popular Portfolio Days series on the Los Angeles Campus. Many of the companies present at the event currently have FIDM Students and Graduates on their staff and were enthusiastic about the opportunity to see the work of current students. We've already heard of several interviews that are taking place as a result of the event. This is just one of many great career events held at FIDM. Find out more in our Career Center. --Kim

FIDM Graphic Design Student Creates Symbol for SF's Ethnic Dance Festival

FIDM Graphic Design Students from the San Francisco Campus were given the exciting opportunity to submit their designs for a new symbol to commemorate the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival's 30 Anniversary. At a special luncheon on campus, Wilkes Bashford, the event's honorary chair, and Susan Somaya from World Arts West announced the winner, FIDM Student Lauren Robinette. "Wilkes had the final say in choosing the winner and he said it was a really tough choice once he had narrowed it down to his three favorites," reports Graphic Design Department Coordinator Lisa Hoffman.

On Saturday, June 7th the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival celebrated the opening of their 30th year with a gala event at the Palace of Fine Arts. Lauren was honored during the reception with an introduction by Don Sanchez from ABC7 news and her symbol was used on the tote bag that were given to important donors and participating dancers. 

Find out more about FIDM's hands-on Graphic Design Program and get the details on the ongoing Vespa Design project and the electrifying Fender Guitar project. --Kim

West Hollywood's Design Walk 2008 to Feature FIDM's "Chairing Styles"

"For the eighth consecutive year, The Avenues of Art & Design is partnering with The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising... for the exhibition of Chairing Styles, to be staged at the Walker & Zanger showroom on the Avenues," reports WeHo News. Over three hundred showrooms and galleries will be participating in West Hollywood's 11th annual Art & Design Walk on May 31st.

You won't want to miss the fantastic Chairing Styles exhibition featuring work by FIDM Textile Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design Students. In the annual project, unveiled every year at our Debut Fashion Show and Gala, 30 students from the three disciplines collaborate to create fabric, ten outfits, and ten matching chairs. See past Chairing Style exhibitions in our online gallery.  --Kim

Reps from Gap, Old Navy & More Praise FIDM Student Portfolios

FIDM Industry Partners, including Gap, Old Navy, Levi Strauss, Dockers, The North Face, Gymboree, and VF Outdoors, attended FIDM San Francisco's third annual Portfolio Day event. On display were over 40 portfolios from FIDM Students in Fashion Design, Product Development, Visual Communications, Graphic Design, and Interior Design.

"Over 130 resumes were distributed to the industry for full-time paid positions and full-time paid internships," said FIDM San Francisco's Director of Career Development, Ray Garcia. "Several companies have already contacted graduates to set-up interviews!" --Kim

FIDM Interior Design Students Tapped for Loft Project

In a unique collaboration with Full Circle Consulting Group, FIDM Interior Design Advanced Study Program Students Jessica Comingore and Julianna Duarte are designing two of the luxury units in the incredibly cool Roosevelt Lofts in Downtown Los Angeles. In the first of a series of interviews on the project, we'll chat with Jessica and Julianna to find out how they received this amazing opportunity and get a sneak peek at their plans for the lofts! --Kim

FIDM Magazine: How did you end up working on the Roosevelt Lofts project?
Julianna: It was given to us by our advisor, Dina Morgan... She saw how dedicated we were as students and how she believed we could tackle this project full force.
Jessica: It was a no brainer for me, both as an amazing portfolio piece and the opportunity of a lifetime.

FIDM Magazine: What is your vision for the loft you are designing?
Julianna: I have chosen darker hues to further incorporate the natural elements that can be seen beyond the large open windows. In keeping with the relaxing feel of the waterfall feature, I have chosen a leaf pattern fabric for the drapery that will tie to the wallpaper and maintain a thread of continuity throughout the space.
Jessica: I am approaching my design with a bold and eclectic vision, with elements rooted in traditional design but taken into a more contemporary setting to coincide with the more modern architecture of the space. I want the loft to be universal to any occupant; male, female, single or married, and create a sense of comfort and escape from the hectic city life.

Read Part II of this interview! --Kim

FIDM Partners with Owners of Lee & Wrangler Jeans

Both our Students and Alumni benefit from FIDM's exciting Industry Partnerships. Recently, students in FIDM’s International Manufacturing & Product Development Program worked closely with VF Corporation, owners of Lee and Wrangler brand jeans, as they created their own clothing line. Watch the video!

For news on other FIDM Industry Partnerships with companies such as Disney Store North America, AFI, and Windsor, click here. --Kim

FIDM Partners with Disney, AFI & Windsor

Did you know that FIDM has a long list of incredible industry partnerships which include many of the top companies in our key industries? Click on the links below to see how we collaborate with Disney Store North America, AFI, and Windsor (just to name drop a few!) to make sure FIDM Students learn from--and have direct access to--the very best in the businesses! --Kim

Find out how FIDM's International Manufacturing & Product Development Students worked with Disney Store North America to create a line of sleepwear, apparel, and home accessories inspired by the Disney princesses. (article)

Watch this video to see our Film & TV Costume Design Students work with the American Film Institute (AFI) on AFI Master's Thesis films. (video)

Join the FIDM Merchandise Marketing Students' tour of Windsor Fashions, and hear why Windsor President Ike Zekaria thinks FIDM is a great place to learn all aspects of the business. (video)