Recently Accepted Student Creates Gown for Charity Auction

 

Name: Linhda Phan

Major: Merchandise Product Development

Admissions Advisor: Seung Kim, OC

Recently accepted Merchandise Product Development student Linhda Phan is off to a strong start in her first quarter at FIDM. The honor student’s evening gown design was shown at a downtown LA charity event where it raised $500 for scholarships.

How did you choose your major? It’s a good fit for me because I love fashion design but also love knowing how a design is created from concept to completion.

What got you started? My early influence is my mom, whose first job as an immigrant from Vietnam was sewing in garment industry factories. I was fascinated by colors and textures from the leftover scraps of textiles she had from work. 

Why FIDM? I wanted to pursue my first love of fashion so I applied to FIDM and the rest is history. In my first quarter I have already made progress and have been involved in many of the great events that FIDM has to offer. The thing I take advantage of the most is the portal where you can volunteer for events.

What is your proudest accomplishment so far? I landed my first fashion show from a listing on the FIDM portal—by far my greatest accomplishment. I found this great lead to a fashion show for NEWH LA, a Hospitality Foundation that raises money for scholarship funds for students. The design challenge was to complete a garment inspired by the 1920-1930's era and to use materials donated by manufacturers. I decided to incorporate an Asian design from my Vietnamese heritage. My idea was to use a mandarin collar, and create a form-fitting backless gown that flared to the ground.

Erline Altamira of Wilson Associates contacted me, I met her design team, and they were open to using my concept as our team's design. They were an amazing company to work with. They gave me freedom to use the skills I learned at FIDM in my first quarter. I executed the design from the creative planning, to technical design of pattern drafting. I used the sewing skills I already had, and new ones I learned in my Apparel Process 1 class.

My final design, "Baby Vamp," was in NEWH LA's Puttin' On the Ritz Fashion Show on December 10, 2011 at Cicada Restaurant in downtown LA, where hospitality design firms auctioned the gowns. The event’s proceeds all went to a scholarship foundation. I was so proud to see our model walk in the show and to know that the gown was auctioned off for $500.

What’s up next? Being at FIDM for only one quarter has been such an amazing experience for me. I couldn't be happier or more excited to see what else is in store for me.