Interview With IMPD Alumna Kalyn Ryan
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Name: Kalyn Jessica Ryan
FIDM Grad Year: 2010
Campus: Los Angeles
Major: International Manufacturing and Product Development (IMPD)
Age: 21
Job Title: Technical Designer
Company: AG Denim (Koo's Manufacturing)
Tell us a little about yourself: I recently graduated from the IMPD program in March. My challenge for the program was to develop non-denim woven bottoms and woven tops for Torrid. A week after graduation, I was hired at Koo's, and I started immediately! Koo's designs and manufactures both Big Star and AG Premium Denim. I'm a Technical Designer for Big Star.
Describe a typical work day: A typical work day consists of doing tech packs (denim bottoms are extremely complex and require before and after wash measurements), trim details, embroidery placement, and sewing details, as well as doing fittings and sample development. The great thing about working for Koo's is that they do everything in-house, so you can actually see a pair of denim go through every process step by step. When I first started, they let me make my own pair of jeans using all of the equipment from sewing to dry processes (such as sandblasting) and developing the wash. It's amazing how many hands actually touch a pair of denim at the factory—they are basically hand-crafted!
What do you love about your job? The main thing I love about my job is being able to completely follow through on every style that I develop a technical package for. Since we do all of our own samples, I get to run my samples around the factory and see them develop before my eyes.
What inspires you in your designs? I get inspired by talking to consumers. This past year, as part of the Torrid group (in the IMPD program at FIDM), we spent a lot of our time shopping with and getting to know our customer. Creating consumer profiles and then developing a line around their life and challenges is very inspiring.
Who's your favorite artist or designer? It changes all the time, but I really like Finland native Johanna Uurasjarvi. She designs the line Leifsdottir, which is sold at Anthropologie. In the words of Uurasjarvi, "No matter how modern our designs, they are always in some way a reflection of the past."
How did you find out about FIDM? I found FIDM after stumbling on their website, and I knew I had to go here after reading all the class descriptions. Every other college I thought about had a ton of filler classes that did not interest me at all. The fact that it was over 2,000 miles away from my home definitely heightened the appeal when I was in high school.
How did you decide on your major? The reason I came to FIDM was actually to do the International program after graduating from the Product Development program. I liked the idea of learning every step of the process from concept to consumer, as well as being able to travel to Paris, Milan, and Hong Kong.
Tell us a little about your experience and what you learned in the IMPD program: IMPD is like being in a sisterhood of fashion. We stayed up all night to finish projects, cried when the stress levels were too high, and stayed at school up to twelve hours at a time! I learned my own personal levels of exhaustion, as well as how to work in a team. I have eleven amazing friends from the program, and I know that we will be friends for life as well as colleagues.
What was the biggest lesson you learned in the IMPD program? The biggest lesson I learned was to be extremely detail oriented and organized. In the industry, you often have multiple projects going on at the same time and you have to be personally responsible for completing them on schedule. As an example, during the program we were concurrently doing consumer research, trend research, and designing. Some weeks we would have three presentations and an assortment due of twenty pieces.
Talk a little about the travel in the IMPD program. Traveling was one of the highlights of the program, because we got to go to Paris, Milan, Barcelona, and Hong Kong. Hong Kong was my favorite because the city was so alive and exciting. We got to visit several headquarters, such as The Children's Place, and see how they manage their sourcing overseas, while being based in the U.S.
How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you're doing now? For the IMPD program, I had to develop tech packs from scratch on five styles. I had to develop a fit, get trims and fabric, as well as find options for sourcing my garment. In my current job, there are archives for different styles as well as standards for fabric and trim. It's more like putting the puzzle together, than trying to design the puzzle. I think the IMPD program did a great job at preparing me because I was used to having to do the entire process without help from a patternmaker or other designers.
Any advice for current FIDM Students? Be proactive and plan for your future. It is easy to just do what you need to do to get by, and not really think about the big picture. Focus on learning the skills you need to compete in a challenging job market and make yourself valuable to employers.
Who is your style icon and why? Grace Kelly is my absolute fashion icon. She was such a lady and is still being copied today. She made everything she wore look classic instead of trendy.
Grace Kelly
What's your favorite item in your wardrobe? My wardrobe needs a major renovation right about now, but I love this pair of antique, ruffled knee boots from Anthropologie.
What's your dream fashion purchase? A Monique Lhuillier wedding gown.
What fashion websites/blogs do you love? Cupcakes and Cashmere, Fashion Toast, Starbucks and Jane Austen, The Vintage Society, Who What Wear, Alice Point, Chelsea Girl, Luxenoir, and The Sartorialist. I also love looking at trend websites such as WGSN and Style Sight.
What is your biggest dream right now? To continue my fashion school education by possibly getting an MBA, and travel the world. I think traveling gives you way more insight into culture than a book can, and the market is so global, that it will only help you to understand your business better.
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