Life After FIDM: The Jana Garvin Chronicles, Part 1

In our latest feature, we follow the real-life adventures of recent FIDM Visual Communications Grad Jana Garvin as she sets out to conquer the vibrant, fast-paced world of fashion.--Kim

WHO'S THAT GIRL?
A Visual Communications Alumna, Jana just graduated in June as Valedictorian of her class, speaking in front of over 12,000 people at the FIDM Graduation Ceremony at the Staples Center! (Watch a clip with highlights from the 2008 Graduation Ceremony here.)

WHEN IN ROME
I first met Jana on the FIDM Study Tour to Italy, London, and Paris. We met with professionals at top companies, toured museums and artisan workshops, and immersed ourselves in art, architecture, and fashion. (Find out more about that trip here.)

A FAIRYTALE JOB
The Fashion Club team recruited Jana to lead a team of fellow Vis Comm Students as they assisted on our annual Fall Fashion Photo Shoot. They were tasked with conceptualizing and building some AMAZING sets, including the brilliant Alice in Wonderland-themed background shown here!

WANTED: DREAM CAREER!
After graduation, Jana packed up her things and headed for New York City where she's pounding the pavement in an effort to land her dream job: A position with fashion industry Creative Director Fabien Baron (of Baron-Baron).

THE INTERVIEW
Fashion Club: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Jana: I grew up in Denver, CO where my Mom was a fashion model for YSL before I was born and my Dad was a photographer. I feel that I am 100% a mix of both of their skills. (Pictured at right: a composite portrait by Jana of Jana's mom then and now.)

Fashion Club: Did you always crave a creative career?

Jana: I initially fell in love with photography, fashion photography in particular, in high school. In 2002 when I graduated high school, I almost went to an art school for college. However, at the last minute I realized two things, if I didn't go to California for college I never would--because all I ever really wanted was to be in NYC--and two, I worried that if I went to art school I never would get the liberal arts knowledge that I craved.

So I moved to California for school where I studied photography and art history and earned my BA at USC. Through college I interned at various places like Interview Magazine, Adam Biesk Art Consulting, BS Photography, Imelda's Closet and assisted stylists like Annabel Tollman for Scarlett Johansson and Tracy Doyle for Ziyi Zhang. However, upon graduating from USC, I had no idea how the real world worked.

Fashion Club: What made you decide to apply to FIDM?

Jana: USC never taught me how to be business savvy. There was no way I could go to NYC yet. I didn't feel prepared at all, nor did I know specifically what I wanted to do. I just knew what I didn't want to do. I enrolled at FIDM, where in one year's time I would get a professional degree in Visual Communications and I knew I would be able to refine my skills and hopefully make up my mind about what I wanted to do for a career.

That year proved to be the most valuable time spent. I learned what I wanted, I got a lot of hands on experience, I met wonderful people and had the time of my life. Halfway through my fourth and final quarter I knew I had the skills I needed and was prepared mentally for my move to NYC.

In the next episode of The Jana Garvin Chronicles, find out what's happened since Jana moved to NYC this summer!