FIDM Student Blog: Hallie Fisher

IMPD Students Off to Hong Kong Tomorrow

We will be taking our studies to Asia's business capitol to research and experience Hong Kong for all it has to offer.  A 10 day trip of appointments, dinners, field trips and many other unimaginable and exciting activities. I had the chance to chat with Nicole Guerboian to talk about her pre-trip preparation.  As we embark on the "International Manufacturing" stage of the program the students are eager and elated to travel as it is all of our first visit to this vast metropolis.

Patiently waiting to see the above view in person the IMPD ladies will continue to pack and prepare. Picture from National geographic

Here are the highlights from my chat with Nicole as she contemplates the trip:

Hallie: What essential items will you use to keep yourself comfortable on the 16 hr. plane ride?

Right: Nicole visiting Milan on the IMPD European study trip

Nicole: I usually do not like flying, especially long hours, because of fear and discomfort from being on a    plane. I will be taking Tylenol PM, to be prepared if I start to feel sick and also some "Sleepytime" Herbal tea.  I also will be taking a book and some Sudoku puzzles to keep me busy if I can't fall asleep.

H: What will you be shopping for at the markets?

N: I will be shopping for trims and fabrics that are unique, to inspire me for current and future designs. The fashion there is so exciting, so I look forward to shop at the Jade Market and Ladies Market.

H: Is there a something that you have to see before you leave?

N: The one place I have to visit is the Po Lin Monastery, where The Big Buddha statue is.  Also, having tea at the tea gardens would be very exciting and memorable.  I would also love to visit the Bird Garden and Flower Market to see the exotic flowers.

H: How will this trip influence your studies before we graduate?

N: The experience of traveling to Hong Kong will be very beneficial for several reasons.  It is a great opportunity to network with companies overseas and be familiar with the area to help us in our careers. We will be having dinners with significant industry players and have the chance to visit product testing facilities, both of which will be amazing opportunity to network and learn more.   I am excited to talk with industry professionals about how they develop new solutions to improve our environment. 

The Launch of All Things Cotton

A unique kick-start to FIDM and Cotton Incorporated's 2012 partnership was manifested in Grand Hope Park in the form of a "Tree Draping" competition.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with this concept, don't fret, this purposefully abstract assignment was employed to get students to think outside the box for uses of cotton.   In teams of 3, participants from varying majors competed for a prize of $1,500 for most original design.  With 10 yards of 100% cotton muslin, sewing tool kits and embellishments that were limited by having to fit in small box, the final products were bursting with creativity as they adorned their respective tree trunks. 

The the common thread between each finished product was of course cotton.  As the students draped in front of a live audience who voted on the winners, the cotton booth was in full swing educating all who passed by about cotton, the scholarship program Cotton Inc. sponsors and the one and only and Cotton Club that launched that day.  For those who are unfamiliar, the club will offer qualified students opportunities to attend workshops, see industry speakers, go on field trips and plenty of supplemental educational experiences.  For the student who likes to take action and get involved, this it the opportunity not to be missed.  More to come as the activities unfold!

IMPD Student Update

The exciting IMPD program continues!  We have had our final product line meeting with our mentor Cherokee who has chosen a few designs of each student for further development.  From here on, we will be developing samples and production strategies.  It has taken 6 months of research, trend forecasting, presentations, line sheets and of course plenty of blood sweat and tears to get to this point.  Students have have been busy with designing and perfecting our products as well as presenting polished presentation boards to our "client" the Cherokee group.  We are presenting our version of the new Cherokee for fall 2012.  Our mentor has been patient and inspiring as we develop product alongside their design team.  Going into our third and final leg of the program, we will graduate with our own product category line ready for sales floor and a comprehensive manufacturing strategy.  Here is a recap of the ladies hard at work:

March 7th we present the all our work at Center Studios, leave a comment if you are interested in going~

Cars & Fashion

Occasionally the two intertwine, most recently with Italian super brands Gucci and Fiat teaming up to create a product line of their own.  We expect to see this from the likes of H & M and Target but the collaboration seems to be a seamless transition between auto industry and luxury fashion brands. Over the break I found myself wandering through one of the biggest car trade show, overwhelmed by all the new technology for engines, supercars and horsepower ect. I was elated to see fashion! In front of my eyes were physical samples of how Product Development extends itself into new niches.  The 500 by Gucci represents qualities that  "made Italian style famous and influential all over the world" resulting in an adorably sleek little car.  The best part is, they didn't stop with the car.  Gucci made a whole line of driving accessories to match the interior.  This pairing is a dream come true for the people those who are very serious about arriving in style!  Below are pictures from the LA Auto show where the perfectly merchandised products displayed. 
Once you have this car, all you need is a villa on the Almafi coast where you can practice your Italian driving skills on those infamous hairpin curves. Talk about la dolce vita!

Interview with model student: Melissa DeLuna-Ribeiro

While attending FIDM Los Angeles I have had the opportunity to get to know Cotton Inc. Scholarship finalist and IMPD student at FIDM.  An inspiring student who consistently maximizes her FIDM experience by participating in unique opportunities exclusively available to students here.  Melissa had her hands full as she competed in both the Surface Embellishments and Demands of Denim competitions during this fall quarter.  Students were encouraged to submit original product concepts and sketches utilizing cotton fabrics for both competitions.  As a finalist in both, Melissa created samples of her concepts for each respective contest.  These exquisite designs were showcased during the competitions and judged based on technique, creativity and design aesthetic.  Melissa was awarded $3,000 for her design entitled "Fourth The Estate," an embellished caftan gown that utilized Haute Couture methods, sunburst pleating, embroidered crystals, handwritten messages and of course the cotton fiber!  I had a chance to sit down and interview this talented and busy student to learn more about her experience in the competition. 

Hallie: What characteristic of the cotton fiber is your favorite to work with when designing?

Melissa: Its ability to surprise the consumer! With the advancements in technology there is no excuse for cotton not to be dominating more markets.  Did you know cotton is a hydrophilic fiber and 10% stronger when it is wet?  —See what I mean about suprising— 

H: How has the Cotton Inc. scholarship experience shaped your view of product development?

M: The Cotton Inc. Scholarship experience has made each step of the product development process so vivid and practical. For me, it is about the hard and consistent work which I dedicate to it on daily basis. It is very rewarding and has allowed me to have real hands-on industry experience and aided me to put into practice everything that is only learned in theory while in the classroom.It keeps me up late at night and wakes me up early the next morning, and I know I wouldn’t want it any other way!

H: Please explain your concepts for the denim and embellishments competitions respectively?

M: The concepts for the Embellishment and Denim for this year’s competition were about using fabrics made out of cotton and elevating them to very specific niches. They were about using technological advances to make the concept innovative, and something that the consumer is curious and hence cannot live without.

The Embellishment concept is called  “The Fourth Estate” it’s about allowing information to run freely, hence paying homage to all journalist around the world, and the Denim Concept is called “Preservation of Character” which is about the need for protection of one’s heart or anything of great value, and only shedding layers or opening up doors as one sees fit.

 H: As a finalist, one gets to travel to North Carolina, visit different apparel facilities and tours the amazing facility of Cotton Inc. What is your favorite department in the Cotton Inc. headquarters?

M: To choose my favorite department at the Cotton Inc. headquarters is to take away from the importance of how all departments tie together to reach a final result; Cotton Inc. has been instrumental to my growth in becoming more aware of how diverse of a fiber it is, and also in my ability to think of it as an extremely versatile fiber. Cotton Inc. Headquarters as a whole is fantastic place to visit, and taking a tour through its entire facility is a must to anyone who is in the apparel industry!

Right: Onlookers enjoy the view as the model demonstrates the fluidity of the Melissa's design.  Above:  Melissa stands next to her Fourth the Estate dress as the judges tally up the winners. Top: Melissa's notification of her win!

Green or Greenwashed?

How does one know the difference when they are designing a pair of jeans? As eco-textiles increase in popularity, questions remain about how green they really are.  Growing public knowledge of the harsh output the apparel industry has on the environment has created a significant space in the market for more responsible ways of production.  This new branch of the industry is evolving at a staggering pace with new innovations flooding in from all over the world.  At times it seems daunting to stay on top of all.  A designer must know extensive details about chemicals and dyes, new finishing processes, technologies and regulatory laws in order to be perfectly current on environmentally friendly textiles, not to mention all the raw materials that go into a finalized piece of clothing.  This constant influx of technologies into the industry has created an interesting niche in which companies like Bluesign flourish.  Useful for students and industry professionals alike because it identifies the products that are made in less harmful ways.  The services that these companies provide allows people to design final products that are composed of more ecologically sound methods.  

In the fast pace world of marketing and greenwashing, having a more transparent supply chain allows for everyone to become familiar with safe production practices.    Consumers seem to think that clothes appear naturally on a hanger neatly packaged and ready for purchase.  Retail stores are far from the indigo rivers and sandblasting chambers which only reaffirms the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality that consumers have, particularly with their denim.  We all love our denim soft and worn in but few people realize the way a pair of jeans is manufactured (the textile is woven, indigo dyed, fabric cut and then sewn) and just as soon as it is completed, the finishing process begins that quite literally deconstructs the garment using harsh chemicals and energy cumbersome methods.  If you are wondering about brands you may have in your closet, killerjeans.org will give you an idea about which ones could improve their standards and those who use more progressive practices. To ensure a cleaner finishing on denim, designers should consider restricted substances, water usage, energy usage, chemical residue and processing or adopt a set of standards.  From there, a more environment friendly pair of jeans comes to fruition.  

Below are FIDM students working at DyStar’s facilities with Bluesign approved and CA Prop 65 compliant finishing products to create unique denim finishes.

Enjoy these links for more information about agencies who regulate environmental standards:

Oeko - tex standard 100

Eu Ecolabel

TOXPROOF

Ecotex

EU REACH

DyStar’s ecoconfidence Program

 

Fashion Your District

The IMPD students took a brief field trip through the busiest walking streets in Los Angeles to participate in an Idea Exhibition.  The focus was the the bustling Fashion District which appears rough around the edges despite the estimated $10 billion dollars in revenue for 2011.  An urban planning committee showcased a chic and practical and updated vision to the 540 acre or 100 block district that takes up 20% of downtown. It is also home to the biggest flower market in the country that spans a 90 year history its within the fashion, wholesale and manufacturing scene.  Students soaked in the presentation which thoroughly explained the history, geography, market and variety of "personalities" found throughout the most pedestrian friendly part of Los Angeles. 
Leaving no stone unturned, Fashion Your District showed an in-depth analysis of the obstacles for development and creative solutions to lighting, parking, public transportation, branding, infrastructure, zoning and everything between.  As the district continues to grow year over year, the necessity to update for a cleaner and more relevant place that incorporates better accessibility, restaurants & tourist industry therefore leading to a stronger economic sector is unmistakable. 

There will be open forums through Saturday Nov. 9 to learn, see and give feedback. Located in the heart of the Fashion District, with streets lined with merchandise, this is a wonderful way to discover the anatomy of the 5th largest international fashion hub.  All those planning on being a part of the Los Angeles fashion world should would be advised to take a peak at the proposal that will eventually become a legal document for the development of this district.  I can't wait to take the street car downtown through vibrant streets lined with thriving businesses, cafés, flowers and chic street signs.

Click here for your invite; If you can't make it in person, take a look at the facebook page!

 

Fiber Scholarships for FIDM's Students

An amazing scholarship opportunity with included research trip for FIDM students? Yes Please! Recently, students have been competing in a the 2nd annual Cotton Incorporated competitions: Surface Embellishments and Demands of Denim.  Students were given the task of using the cotton fiber to create pieces of beauty, innovation and originality.  In order to foster creativity, workshops were held around campus for students to learn various finishing techniques.  Textile expert and FIDM's Assistant Chairperson Deborah Young, oversaw the participants as they created samples during informational lab sessions. These workshops demonstrate the best part of the competition, you don't have to win first place to be a winner. As a cherry on top, each finalist receives a grand field trip to North Carolina to tour an important region for domestic textile companies.

From concept to creation, each students unique idea results in a stunning final product.  In order to participate, students submitted their initial draft of their idea including: a sketch, consumer description and a swatch of the intended fabric.  All submissions are evaluated and the ten best designs are selected for the Demands of Denim and five best designs from the Surface Embellishments.  These top 15 students visit Cotton Inc.'s  state-of-the-art facilities in Cary, North Carolina to learn about the latest in cotton innovations.  After the trip, students produce their designs using the insight they gain from their visit to Cotton's Inc. Headquarters, Color Solutions International (DyStar) and VF Corporation Headquarters. The final submissions are judged and showcased in room 500 of the Los Angeles campus. Below is a teaser of the talent students exhibited for the Surface Embellishment competition.

More to follow about the exciting events surround these Cotton Inc. scholarship opportunities!

Costume Contest in the Park

FIDM LA on Halloween is a must see!

You haven't seen a costume contest until you have seen a FIDM costume contest.  Students, faculty and staff of the college came out in throngs to showcase their creativity.  Everyone acted the part as they paraded around the park for the festivities.  The ladies of the activities department named the winners of the students' competition, Capt'n Jack Sparrow, a mummy and a pair of garden gnomes.  However, the students were lucky that they were not competing against the faculty and staff who joined together by department.  Each department dressed a theme and lip-synced a whole routine.  The Admissions Department ruled supreme with their "Night at the Wax Museum" performance with celebrities ranging from Charlie Chaplan, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Elvis and Snooki.  Onlookers were mesmerised as they watched the show.  Here are the highlights:

 Clockwise: Career Counselor Kevin Keele, Student winner for scariest costume, Lady Gaga and Elvis dancing for the Admissions Department, Admissions celebrating their win

 Clockwise: Black Swan ballerina, a mermaid and Capt'n Jack Sparrow (student winner for the funniest costume), the ladies of the activities department dressed as holidays, Elton John with the Admissions crew

FIDM at the Port

Have you ever wondered how many people work on the massive cranes you see standing at each port?  In the interest of learning more about import and export strategies, our class took a field trip to the Port of San Pedro and saw first hand how those massive cranes work.

Our tour took us around the port to see the extremely complex logistics employed to keep track of each and every product that lands on shore.  The port always knows exactly what is coming to shore, when, where it will be warehoused and where its going.  Luckily, a relatively new software system which tracks each container, operator and machine is now used to monitor and provide real time data about where everything in the port is.  This allows the port managers the ability to insure absolute organization, the program is so specific they can even see if any operators are sleeping on the job!  Our tour guide Tom Adams, the Terminal Services Manager, took us through the maze of containers stacked 3 and 4 high and showed us how things around there operate.  We then ventured off dry land to board a vessel.

We climbed up the longest and shakiest ladder suspended over water I have ever seen.  Once aboard, we were greeted by 3 wonderful representatives from Evergreen, the shipping company who owned the vessel and we headed up to the bridge to meet the captain.  He gave an excellent explanation about the specifics of the ship and talked about his adventures across the atlantic.  Using both computer systems and physical maps, he is an expert in maritime weather and navigating around the world, he actually wrote the book! 

To the left is the view from the bridge of the ship towards the bow with cranes hovering over. Below is an up close and personal with the one and only operator of the giant cranes.

We toured the ship, learned all about life at sea and left just as five U.S. Customs agents were boarding the ship for a routine check up. An exciting way to bring the tour full circle.  We headed back to the Los Angeles campus wondering about what was actually in all those containers: shoes, handbags or possibly little black dresses?

Thanks to all of our wonderful tourguides for explaining about the inter-workings and for answering all our questions!