Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Wants to Design For the Stage

Name: Kimberly Neptune       
 

Age: 17

Major: Fashion Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012
 

Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman
 

Tell us a little about yourself. I am a senior at Edison High School and obsessed with anything creative, artistic, and different. I have always been in love with costumes, musicals, and everything historical. When it comes to music, I love everything from musicals to country to oldies and pop punk.

I'm inspired by nautical, natural, vintage, and weddings! I am an extreme Christmas enthusiast and I love anything having to do with fall and winter. I am also obsessed with things that have nothing to do with fashion, like Harry Potter, hiking and camping, and baking! I have a huge love for Renaissance, Victorian, and 18th century fashion.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Besides being accepted to FIDM, my proudest accomplishment is helping with my school production of Guys & Dolls. I was able to help with props, makeup, and accessories. Another thing I am very proud of is my natural ability for American Sign Language. This is something i am also very passionate about and love to do.
I am also very proud of my personal authenticity. I am unique and I am who I am.

What made FIDM right for you? Compared to other schools, FIDM comes out as high as it can on top. It has classes that are so interesting to me that I couldn't take anywhere else, and are only there to help me succeed. FIDM also has phenomenal connections and networks. The people who work on the Advisory Board and the teachers would just be an honor to work under. FIDM is an extremely well known and respected school, and it is the perfect place to jumpstart my education and career. 
 

Describe your entrance project.
 For my entrance project, I created an inspiration page -- six sketches with fabric swatches. My inspiration page was mostly Broadway and musicals. They ranged from Book Of Mormon, to Anything Goes to My Fair Lady. It also had movie costumes from the 1700s and historical pieces. The six sketches I did ranged from circus ring leaders with a gothic cabaret twist to French royalty during the revolution to a 1960s evening gown. This was such a fun experience for me, because it is what I love to do. It didn't seem like a college project at all, just a fun activity!

What are your career goals? After graduation from FIDM I really hope to get right into the world of theatrical costume design. I want to work on any shows I can, local or not. After gaining experience and getting my name through the business, it would be my ultimate goal to have my designs for one or more musicals to grace the stage of Broadway. I would love to be able to travel and design for awhile and then hopefully settle down, start a family and be able to design from home!

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? At FIDM, I am excited to learn the ins and outs of the fashion and costuming world. Classes like History of Costume are perfect for me and I am eager to learn! I hope to get the necessarily sewing, pattern making, and draping skills to help me. I am most excited about meeting with the teachers and the internships to really kick start my future!