FIDM Magazine

Industry Notables Visit Marketing Class at FIDM Orange County

Instructor Kathleen Jaben's Marketing and Brand Development class at FIDM OC was recently treated to a visit from Harveys founder Dana Harvey and the company's marketing director Malia O'Brian. "I was so impressed by the company story, how Dana and his wife started by making one handbag in their garage on a whim, and it's turned into an international product," said student Megan Ilertsen. "I would aspire to have the same level of insight and passion for my product and brand that Harveys does."

On the same day, students also listened to The Age of Engage author and marketing strategist Denise Shiffman speak about social media. She spoke about more productive and positive ways that social media can effect one's life, including posting resumes and networking with professionals.

Photos by FIDM Student William Griffith

Learn more about Fashion Merchandising.

Billabong Director of Merchandise Speaks to FIDM OC Students

Students at the FIDM Orange County campus were recently treated to a discussion with Billabong Director of Merchandise Lydia Ballesteros. Lydia took students step-by-step through the entire design process, highlighting the interaction that takes place between the Merchandiser and Designer. She emphasized that good communication and compromising are keys to finding success.

Find out more about FIDM's Merchandise Marketing Degree Program.

Interview with Merchandise Marketing Alumna Elizabeth Leffler

FIDM Fashion Club's latest Style Scoop Interview highlights Merchandise Marketing Graduate Elizabeth Leffler, who runs the successful Christie's Boutique and is the new Fashion Blogger for San Diego Magazine. Read the interview with Elizabeth by clicking here!

FIDM Grad Is Marie Claire's West Coast Contributing Editor

For FIDM FashionClub's latest Style Scoop Q&A, we quizzed FIDM Merchandise Marketing Grad Talita Silva, Marie Claire magazine's West Coast Contributing Editor and star of TV's Running in Heels. Read on to find out how Talita followed her passion all the way to FIDM and get an inside look at her typical work day.

Merchandise Marketing Month: Interview With Dept. Chair Marlene Morbitt-Dunn

October, you might remember, was Interior Design Month.

But now it's January, and we've got an interview with Marlene Morbitt-Dunn, Chair of the Merchandise Marketing Department. Merchandise Marketing is the FIDM Major that focuses on the buying and selling of wholesale and retail goods.

Marlene Morbitt-Dunn brings her own retail experience to the table. We tracked her down and she was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.

FIDM Students Awarded Scholarships from Cotton, Inc.

 
 
Congratulations to FIDM Merchandise Marketing Student Isaiah Garza and some of his fellow students who were awarded scholarship funds in the Cotton Inc. Scholarship Competition.

Isaiah Garza was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for his Alaskan wedding theme in the "Wedding of Cotton" category. The wedding dress was modeled by Miss Alaska USA 2008. Group winners of the $15,000 scholarship in the category "An Evening of Cotton" were Kimisha Renee Davis, evening dress, Lillian Babaian, accessories, and Lori Millonzi, shoes, for their Asian-Egyptian inspired theme.  The recipient of the $5,000 scholarship for the "Most Innovative Use of Cotton" was Jose Andres Alves-Aranibar who created a punk and rock & roll Las Vegas wedding theme. 

"This competition launched in August and engaged the students for four months," explains FIDM Special Projects Coordinator, Jennifer McEvers. "The students were mentored by FIDM Staff and Faculty and were challenged to research a consumer, create a theme, design products, test and validate their fiber and fabrics, manage a budget, and present their inspiration to a panel of industry judges."

Read our interview with Isaiah Garza here. --Kim

Student Life: Isaiah Garza Is Sponsored by Cotton, Inc.

FIDM Merchandise Marketing Student Isaiah Garza works for MTV and is currently creating a collection for Cotton, Inc. He was also recently accepted into FIDM's acclaimed advanced study program in International Manufacturing and Product Development. Find out more about what inspires this busy fashion scholar and get his advice on making your dreams come true! Read the interview. --Kim

Kim Helgeson Wins Award for Barbie Boutique

FIDM Merchandise Marketing Grad Kim Helgeson has been honored with an "Award of Merit" from the Institute of Store Planners/VM+SD (Visual Merchandising + Store Design) International Store Design Competition in the "New Store Specialty or Department Store" category for the "styled by me" Barbie shop at FAO Schwarz. Kim, also an instructor at FIDM, said she was excited to share the news with her students, "to help reinforce the wonderful possibilities FIDM can help them achieve!" Read our interview with Kim and find out more about the "style by me" Barbie boutique. --Kim

FIDM Grad Wins Emmy for 'Jane Eyre' Costumes

FIDM Merchandise Marketing Grad Andrea Galer won an Emmy on Sunday for Best Costume Design for the PBS Masterpiece Theatre miniseries adaptation of Jane Eyre. The miniseries is now available on DVD and costumes from Jane Eyre are currently displayed in the FIDM Museum & Galleries in downtown Los Angeles. --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)