Style Scoop Interview: Just Accepted - Courtney Hamilton!

This month, we are featuring exciting, new talent Courtney Hamilton. At just 17, Courtney is an ambitious self-starter with a passion for fashion. Let's find out more about this unique student and her future plans at FIDM! --Alaythia

Name: Courtney Hamilton

Age: 17

City: Alta Loma, CA

FIDM Start Date, Major, & Campus: Summer 2009, Visual Communications, Orange County

Tell us a little about yourself: I am 17 years old, vice president of my student body, and president of the FIDM Fashion Club at my school. I am currently working on winning the PromAdvice Scholarship Competition and creating my own portfolio so that I am ahead of the game when I attend FIDM in July. I am also in the process of creating a Fashion Club magazine called Fashion Times for my school. I hope to get a job at the Levi's store or with Nordstrom in six months when I turn 18, and I am currently interested in learning how to hand design lingerie. More than anything, I just want to graduate high school and work towards my goal of being a fashion stylist.

Favorite brand: I love Free People. My ultimate goal is to work for them in any way possible. Even if it was just folding shirts, I'd be happy knowing I would eventually climb my way to the top through hard work and perseverance. 

Your top sources of inspiration: The stories about people who had nothing and worked hard in life to accomplish their dreams are the kind of people I aspire to be like. They are people who are strong-willed, strong-minded, and keep a positive attitude through tough times. I believe those kind of people make a difference in life, because they work for what they want, and that's what I plan to do.

Trend/Item you're loving right now: The one trend that has caught my eye lately is hippie headbands. I think they're adorable, carefree, and just exude who I am.

Who is your style icon and why?  Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen started out as child actors and now they own their own clothing label, Elizabeth and James. I think it just really proves that if you want something badly enough, no one can stop you.

What is your dream fashion purchase? I love Marc Jacobs' "Miss Marc" Collection bags. They are so sophisticated, yet really fun! I put the Miss Stewardess Tote on my birthday wish-list. 

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? I have a few pairs of vintage cowboy boots that I am very protective over. Although they are all scuffed up, I just love them.

You're spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What's the city and the itinerary? New York City. I would go to all the vintage shops and dress some of my friends up and take pictures to put in my never-ending portfolio. I would want to go see all the Broadway plays, and visit a place that sells New York Cheesecake just to say I tasted the real thing.  I would also pay attention to the way New Yorkers dress, so I could incorporate a little New York style into my California-girl look.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or t.v. character, whose would it be? Jenny Humphrey. I read the Gossip Girl series long before I watched the t.v. show, but they did an amazing job with Jenny's wardrobe. Every week I am jealous of the clothes she gets to wear.

The ultimate accessory is: My Betsey Johnson rainbow encrusted watch. It is so fun and playful, and people always compliment me on it. I wear it everywhere, and it goes with everything. I even wore it to homecoming!

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? I didn't. I had an idea that it was, but when I walked into the campus and felt the creative energy, I knew that I was exactly where I belonged. I knew it would be the place where I could make my dreams of becoming a stylist come true.

What was your favorite part of applying to FIDM? I loved the project. Sure it's nerve-racking trying to think of something outrageous and perfect enough to wow your audience, but for me that's the best part-- shocking people is all a part of having talent.

Describe how you felt when they told you that you were accepted? It was the happiest day of my life. I know that it is going to be hard work to reach the top of my class, but I also know that it is not a matter of 'if' for me, it's a matter of 'when' and how much I want it.

What part of starting FIDM are you most looking forward to? I can't wait for a new project every day. I love learning, and being taught something new all the time keeps things fresh and exciting. I'm really excited to work with instructors that know a lot about the business, and I am planning on going back to my high school fashion club where I am now president, and showing members projects and things they can do to be ahead of the game.

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? Confidence, knowing that I am capable of something so much bigger than I imagined and the ability to not only make my dreams come true but to help others achieve their dreams. That's what makes life worth living for.

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating FIDM? My ultimate goal would be to become a stylist for Free People. I would also love to write fashion columns for FIDM's FashionClub.com or for Nylon magazine. But you have to start your way from the bottom and climb up to the top.

What should potential students do in high school to prepare for a future at FIDM? Buy tons of magazines and start studying. I treat Teen Vogue, Nylon and Seventeen as if they are my textbooks. Also find your niche-- I recommend deciding if you like to make clothes, decorate rooms, or design cd covers, because FIDM has it all.

What advice would you give to students looking to be accepted into FIDM? Don't be intimidated because they are always excited to meet fresh, new talent. Just bring your A-game, and deliver all the creativity you have.

Anything else? "Young cat, if you keep your eyes open enough, oh the stuff you will learn, the most wonderful stuff." --Dr. Seuss