As an Alumna of FIDM and current FIDM Staff Member, Clarissa Ramirez knows a thing or two about fashion! After a successful career in the footwear industry, Clarissa has returned to FIDM to work as the Promotions Manager for Fashion Club. Learn more about Clarissa's story and her advice for future students!
Major/Grad Year/Campus: Merchandise Product Development Professional Designation, 2001, Los Angeles
Hometown: Victorville, California
Job Title/Description: Promotions Manager, Fashion Club
FC: Were you at all hesitant to work at FIDM since you are a Grad?
CR: Not at all, I feel very at home here. Someone asked me how I felt about no longer working in the industry when I came to work at FIDM. I don’t see it that way at all. I’m more involved in the industry as a whole working here than I ever have been because FIDM has its hands in all aspects of the industry rather than just one area.
FC: What are the best parts of your job and why?
CR: My interaction with the high school students who are Fashion Club members is my favorite part of my job. I especially love to see the various Fashion Club contest entries that come in. We run lots of design oriented contests and the student designs that come across my desk are so fabulous! I love being surrounded by young people who are so passionate about fashion.
FC: How do you seek inspiration/motivation?
CR: Through travel, jewelry, and reading. I do all three as often as possible.
FC: What has been a career highlight or challenge so far?
CR: I am borderline obsessed with shoes (isn't everyone?). The highlight of my career was when I became Marketing Manager for the World Shoe Association and ran the marketing operations for The WSA Show, which is a footwear tradeshow, The Collections at WSA (luxury and designer footwear tradeshow), and Materials of WSA (footwear sourcing show) - some of the world's most important footwear and accessories marketplaces. I had the fortune of seeing the shoe and accessory lines from the major designers long before they hit the stores.
FC: What is a typical day like for you at FIDM?
CR: I spend a lot of time talking with students who are interested in starting FIDM Fashion Clubs at their high schools or who have clubs and need my help with something. I also manage our contests and scholarships, including sorting through the entries and choosing the winners, which is a lot of fun. I work on new promotions and partnerships for Fashion Club and, of course, the usual emails and meetings are sprinkled in.
FC: How did you choose your major?
CR: I have always wanted be a part of the analytical/strategic side of business but could never shake my need to have my hands in the creative as well. When I explained this to my FIDM Advisor, he told me that the Product Development major would give me the best of both worlds.
FC: What were your favorite things about attending FIDM?
CR: Fashion is my favorite art form. I loved being surrounded by people who loved fashion and style the way I did-not just as a hobby, but as a lifestyle and a career. I came to class and was inspired just by seeing what the students around me were wearing.
FC: What are your future goals?
CR: I’d like to become a VP of Marketing one day. The next area of the world I’d like to explore is Asia. And I’d like to learn to speak Spanish fluently.
FC: What advice would you give to future FIDM Students?
CR: Network, network, network!
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