FIDM Fashion Design Grad Loves Job as Assistant Sportswear Designer

Allison Teicher

Major: Fashion Design

Campus: Downtown LA

Grad Year: December 2010

Job Title: Assistant Designer/ Cee Sportswear

How did you find FIDM? After high school I went to San Francisco State University to study design. After about a semester, I realized that the curriculum was not as design-oriented as I had wished, and I discovered FIDM through a friend who was also looking at going to fashion design school. She told me she was going to an orientation and thought it was something I would be interested in. Turns out it was! 

Did you do an internship when you were at school? Yes! When I was in school I had an internship at LA Vintage, a vintage online store. I worked in the warehouse as a stylist assistant. I loved it. I did everything from assisting the photo shoots, to pulling clothes from the warehouse to add to the website. It was a really great experience; I met my first group of young working designers with whom I am still friends. 

How did you know Fashion Design was right for you? I always wanted a career in the arts. As I grew older I explored different aspects and found I was happiest as a Fashion Designer. It incorporates all the creativity I love. 

What were the FIDM classes like? I had an amazing time at FIDM. The class work was hard! At first I felt like there was no way I would be able to do all the homework. But after my first quarter there, I got the hang of it. I realized I needed a schedule, and I needed to work on homework as if it was for the industry, and put my all into it. This really paid off for me. My favorite course was CAD. I could sit for hours drawing flats and illustrations on the computer! 

Tell us about your current job. I work for a company called Cee Sportswear as the assistant designer. We design for other big companies such as Lucky Brand, Joe's Jeans, and True Religion. I do a wide range of tasks. I draw flats, I source fabric, I cost garments, I research trends, I do anything and everything the designer needs me to do.

How did you find your job? I found it on the FIDM website! I went on two interviews and was hired to start right away. It is an amazing job, I feel so lucky to have such a great team to work with everyday. 

How does working in the industry compare to being in school? There are a lot of things that are similar, and a lot that are different. The skills I learned at FIDM were an amazing base for me to feel confident in my workplace. I have the same kinds of projects and deadlines, but at work I have money and my job on the line, not a grade. I know I will continue learning every day at Cee.

What is your dream next step? My next step will be to start my own line. After I gain the experience I need, I will start working on that. I hope to start out with an online store, then move my clothes into other stores and boutiques. I will also continue to do costume work for short films.