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."

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Has a Jewelry Company

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Jademoon Seltz is already designing and selling her jewelry through Wicked Treasurez.

"My mind is set in a world of creativity. Since early childhood I have been attracted to activities that allow me to express myself. These activities have shaped who I am in different ways. I am a performing and competition dancer. I also have a love for the culinary arts. Music is another area of interest and has strongly impacted my life. I have grown up playing the piano, singing, writing, and recording myself and others."

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

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.

Sugar Scout Couture Designed by FIDM Alumna

TLK Fusion has partnered with accessory line Sugar Scout Couture, designed by FIDM Alumna Kenya Kirkland. Her big statement jewelry has garnered numerous fans and celebrities.

“We are thrilled to work with a top FIDM graduate with such vision, drive and talent,” says TLK Fusion Founder and Senior Vice President Tracy Keyser. “I truly believe that Sugar Scout Couture will soon be the must have trend in Hollywood.”

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.

Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student is a U.S. Air Force Veteran

Jennifer Mills, a Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student who will attend the Orange County campus, is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in two wars and traveled the world. She already designs jewelry and hopes to turn her passion into a career with the help of FIDM.

"I love the beauty of the school. I love how creative all the majors are. I love that it is a specialized for these kinds of industries, it just makes me feel like the students and faculty really understand how I operate and think. I will also be able to know how my fellow classmates think, so that I can relate to them and establish long term bonds and relationships. I just adore the creative environments, it really invigorates me to think outside of the box, to create more, and to look at things in new ways. Every time I am at FIDM Orange County I feel so inspired and motivated, it just feels like home. This is where I belong!"

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

Jewelry Design Student Launches Line to Keep Accessories in Top Shape

Jewelry Design Student Taylor Gainor has launched the PURSE STUFFER by KeepShape. Her company is dedicated to making women's lives easier while maintaining the integrity of their prized accessories. By stuffing their handbags, women can avoid having their purses lose their shape and becoming damaged.

"The PURSE STUFFER is an innovative idea and it has the potential to grow into something substantial," says Taylor. "My main goal is to have KeepShape be a well-known brand for keeping your personal accessories in good shape."

Just Accepted Apparel Industry Management Student Runs Her Own Jewelry Company

Just Accepted Apparel Industry Management Student Jasmin Dargani is a transfer student who already has her own jewelry line, Joja-Jola.

"Losing motivation and interest in my current studies at Loyola Marymount University, I wanted a change, and to follow my passion—an education in fashion. Finding myself in Los Angeles (top three fashionable cities in America) what a better place to be than in the middle of fashion district at FIDM?"

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

FIDM Instructor Discusses Art of Jewelry Design

Award-winning Jewelry Designer Valerie Mitchell is returning to FIDM this spring to teach Metalsmithing II. Valerie’s limited production work has been carried at museum and design shops like the Museum of Modern Art, NY; specialty fine craft or jewelry stores and galleries like Freehand, LA; and fine department stores like Takashimaya and Barneys, NY in addition to being on display in public collections. After earning a Master’s of Fine Arts degree in Jewelry Design from Rhode Island School of Design, Valerie started her career by exhibiting at the highly selective American Craft Council Market Show. Among the honors she has received, Mitchell’s medallion design was recently chosen as a CRA public commission to be permanent signage for the Los Angeles Downtown Arts District and her Tiara was in the Craft in America museum tour and book.

We recently spoke to the downtown resident about today’s jewelry scene and the art of teaching Jewelry Design at FIDM.

What are the career opportunities for a Jewelry Design major?

The beauty of a jewelry career is that you can adapt and change as needed. The business of Jewelry is a very wide field—just ask the FIDM Career Center. The opportunities are endless, from individual artist/metalsmith/designer to creating a production company or working for a design house or marketing.

What do you do in your classes?

In the Metalsmithing I-III classes, basic hand fabrication techniques, torch soldering, tool use, and manipulation of metal, with various stone settings, and construction are emphasized.  Other classes offer many other processes and design projects.

How does FIDM differ from other design colleges?

The studio classes are located in the heart of the Jewelry district, well equipped with individual benches with torches and tools. FIDM Students follow a series of classes created for their field with an emphasis on industry, design, and technique. It is a very focused environment. 

Can you recommend any special places in LA for inspiration?

In LA, inspiration is all around us. It’s important for students to find what motivates and inspires
 
them, what is their unique perspective. The Craft in America Study Center on West Third Street is a unique opportunity to see what has come before and learn the history of fine craft movements and artists. 

FIDM Instructor's Artwork To Be Featured Downtown

Artist, sculptor, and FIDM Jewelry Design Instructor Valerie Mitchell was chosen out of 15 district artists last month to design and create artwork that will be hung in Downtown Los Angeles, along Alameda from Third to Seventh streets, parts of Mateo and Palmetto streets, and Factory Place.

Read more about this exciting public art project in Los Angeles Downtown News.

Valerie will be teaching Metalsmithing this Spring at FIDM.