FashionClub.com Daily

Make Your Holidays Sparkle with FashionClub.com!

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend... But so are pearls, gold earrings, charms, and bracelets! This winter, Make Your Holidays Sparkle with November's exciting new theme at FashionClub.com!

This holiday season, deck the halls with boughs of jewelry as we show the hottest styles around! Did you know that FIDM is known for its industry-leading Jewelry Design program? It's true! Check out the season's most-talked about pieces from FIDM grads like Rafia, Bansri Joaillerie, Vitalwan, and Isaiah Garza! Plus, with our exclusive Jewelry Trends to Inspire You, we'll have you looking fabulous in no time!

Looking to beat the cold this winter? Stay warm with our 5 Fab Movies starring Jewelry! These are films that feature show-stopping pieces, and star on-screen legends like Nicole Kidman, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Kate Winslet! But don't take our word for it... Watch these dazzling films and see why they deserve to be in your permanent collection! 

Now that you've seen some of the world's most fabulous jewelry, meet one of its most exciting designers, Tarina Tarintino! A fourteen year veteran of the jewelry design industry, Tarintino designed a collection honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz that appeared at FIDM Museum and Galleries earlier this year! Learn more about this iconic woman who has created pieces for the likes of Cameron Diaz, Avril Lavigne, and Miley Cyrus!

Finally, keep the momentum of an exciting holiday season going by starting your own High School FIDM Fashion Club! Whether its jewelry design, fashion design, or another one of FIDM's 18 exciting majors you crave, there's no better time to get started with your own fashion club!

'Tis the season to get stylish with FashionClub.com!

Enjoy!

--Alaythia 

FIDM Alumnus Kevan Hall at L.A. Fashion Week

    One of the biggest shows of Spring 2010 Fashion Week was our very own alumnus Kevan Hall. His collection featured form-fitting floor-length gowns and beautiful spring wear. Not only was the collection stunning, but the atmosphere in the Universal Studios back-lot complemented the entire evening; there were beautiful cars sponsored by Rusnak Automotive, and complimentary food and drink. Check out the images from the entire evening, including backstage photos!

 

 

 

 

 

            Images courtesy of PhotosbyAM.com

    ~ Arali
 

Style Scoop Interview: Eva Fredrickson

Thanks to costume designers like FIDM alumna Eva Fredrickson, actors and actresses are able to bring their characters to life on the small screen through their wardrobe.

We caught up with the L.A. resident to chat about attending FIDM, costumes, and the process of designing for television!

Name: Eva Fredrickson
Grad Year: 2007
Major: Film & TV Costume Design
Campus: Los Angeles
Job Title: Costumer/Costume Designer

How did you get your big break into the industry?
While I was at FIDM, I was awarded a NBC/Universal internship in the wardrobe department on the soap opera Passions working for Emmy-nominated designer, Diana Eden.

What do you love about your job?
Everything! But mostly it's the storytelling aspect of what we do in wardrobe. So much thought goes into how we dress our actors. We think about who this character is, what they've been through, how they see themselves, etc. There's a surprising amount of psychology involved.

What have been some of your favorite gigs so far?
Working on How I Met Your Mother has been amazing. And I just finished designing a pilot called Party People where I got the chance to dye and construct a lot of the costumes, which I miss from my days working in theater costume shops. 

What is your process as a costume designer?

First, I break down the script. I do whatever research may be necessary - this is especially important for period pieces, which are my favorite. I make a budget. Then I dive into the creative part of designing. I think about how I can use color, shape, texture, and style to tell the story.

How do you get inspired?
I draw inspiration from art, fashion, people, nature, and anything that feels connected to the character and the script. Sometimes I do sketches to show the director, producers, and network. I follow my instincts and I hope that I am on the same page as the aforementioned players. But if changes need be made, I make them. Then comes the acquiring and/or building of the wardrobe. Then fittings with the actors follow and if everything works and everyone is happy, the wardrobe goes off to set.

What is a typical day like? 
Every job is different and every day presents new challenges. One day I'll be researching serial killers for Criminal Minds, which is another one of my favorite gigs, and the next I'm gluing rhinestones on sneakers for the dancers on America's Best Dance Crew.

What do you think it takes to be successful? You have to be hungry. Jobs are not always going to find you so sometimes you need to be proactive about finding them. There's really no such thing as a steady gig in my line of work so you have to have to accept that aspect of the career you have chosen and always have faith that if you work hard and you really want to make it happen for yourself, you can.

How did you find out about FIDM?
I knew that I wanted to go to design school after college so I did some searching online and I found FIDM. As soon as I learned about the Advanced Studies in Film & TV Costume Design program, I knew it was perfect for me.

Why did you choose your major?
I couldn't be more passionate about designing costumes. And I have always known that I belonged in the film and television industry. It was a no brainer.

What did you love about your program?
I loved the access we were given to so many resources in the industry. We were taken on some incredible field trips to television sets, costume houses, and studio lots. We had some of the biggest designers in the business come and speak to our class. Our professors were like bottomless wells of knowledge and experience. And Mary Kay Stolz, the heart and soul of the program, works very hard to give her students every opportunity possible.

Q&A With FIDM Grad Featured in "Whip It!"

FIDM Fashion Design alumna Rachel Piplica has a day job as a production manager at Lucky 13 Apparel, but by night she is a roller derby girl, known as Iron Maiven, and even appeared in Drew Barrymore's hit film Whip It!

How did you get into the roller derby scene? When did you start designing clothing?

I moved to LA in March 2004, to attend FIDM. I moved by myself from Pittsburgh with a goal to start a career in fashion. A month later, I met a roller derby gal who introduced me to the sport. I fell in love with it, attending FIDM as a fashion student by day, skating practices as Iron Maiven by night.

And you have also launched Iron Doll Clothing, which caters to roller derby team right?

Because of my background and schooling in fashion, it was natural for me to sign up on the uniform committee within the league. I actually landed the job at Lucky 13 Apparel because they were sponsoring our uniforms and I was working with the designer to create the uniforms for our teams. I started at Lucky 13 in Novemember of 2005, and have been here ever since. It wasn't until recently when other leagues saw the uniforms I made for our league's team that I decided to launch Iron Doll Clothing and create custom roller derby uniforms. I still work for Lucky 13 and my boss is incredibly supportive of roller derby and has been helping me with Iron Doll Clothing.

How did you first hear about FIDM?

I have been sewing and designing my own clothes my whole life. I knew I wanted to have a career in fashion, I just didn't know how to achieve that. I stayed in Pittsburgh after high school attending the University of Pittsburgh and obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree. Then I started researching fashion specific schools all over the country. I looked in New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. My best friend agreed to travel to California with me to look at FIDM. The building and the atmosphere was beautiful. I fell in love with it. I also loved that FIDM had a Professional Designation Program specifically for people who already had bachelor degrees. No other fashion specific schools offered that type of program. I was so anxious to get into the industry, it just made sense at the time to take this route.

How did FIDM help prep you for your career?

Everything taught in class was industry specific and to the point. It wasn't until I was thrown into the fire (so to speak) that all my lesson plans from school started to make sense. I was fully prepared and didn't even realize it!  Everything from pattern making, to drawing, to grading, costing, and sourcing all started to click and it felt like second nature out on the field. I took a lot of my class books with me to my office and I have all my old notes I took from school. Anytime I get stuck or need some guidance, I pull out my pattern books or read my notes I took in class. 

How did your role in Whip It come about?

Derby Girl was a book written by Shauna Cross, was a former Los Angeles Derby Doll. Drew Barrymore decided her first directorial debut was going to be the screen adaptation of this book.  Shauna started bringing Drew to our bouts in the Spring of 2008. About 10 to 15 skaters from our league were asked to stop by Drew's production company, Flower Films, and audition for the movie. I happened to be in Pittsburgh visiting my family for the 4th of July when I received the call that I had received a part in the movie. I left for Michigan, where the movie was being filmed one week later.

What has the reaction been so far?

The reaction has been incredibly positive and uplifting. I have come to realize that this experience didn't just impact my life, but the lives of so many people around me. Everyone feels inspired by the experience. It has given me a lot of confidence in my life, my career, and in derby.

You also work with Lucky 13 Apparel. What is your day to day like there?

I work closely with the designer Heathyr Lawrence, who is also a graduate of FIDM. Together we are responsible for designing and developing the Men's, Women's, and Kid's lines here at Lucky 13. We work closely with our in house sewer to trouble shoot the best ways to develop, pattern, and sew garments.  We attend fittings and work closely with our pattern makers and fit models
to get the look, style, and fit we want. I am responsible for costing garments and making sure we're reaching necessary margins while hitting customers target pricing.

You have quite an exciting life between work and roller derby. Congrats on all of your success!

Every time I tell the story it begins with "I moved to California to attend Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising..."

Style Scoop Interview: Laura Stang

Porridge. It's not just relegated to Goldilocks anymore. It's FIDM alumna Laura Stang's spirited, soulful, feminine fashion line. We caught up with Laura (pictured above) to find out the secrets to her success. The proof is in the porridge, ahem, I mean pudding!

Name: Laura Stang
Grad Year: 2000
Major: Merchandise Marketing
Campus: Los Angeles

How did you get your first break and when did you launch?
I started by making these one-of-a-kind hand-dyed, hand-embroidered patchwork floral tank tops and selling at a boutique in Brentwood that I managed. From there, they became a fast hit. I launched Porridge in 2004.

Describe the general process you go through to design a piece of clothing.
The first piece of clothing was a true labor of love. I bought the blank tanks from American Apparel and then would dye them by hand in my kitchen in a glass salad bowl. From there they would hang dry in the house I was renting with 3 girlfriends. After the tees were dry I'd begin cutting petals out of vintage recycled clothing scraps and hand-embroidering them on the tanks. It was a process.

What do you love about your career as the owner and president of your own fashion line?
Every day is truly different and I'm constantly "on my toes."

What is the least glamorous aspect of your career?
Going to the dye house.

Describe a day in the life of someone who loves to wear Porridge.
It's a day of color and fun. Porridge is so cheerful you can't have a bad day when wearing the line.

Describe how you felt when you got your first editorial credit in a magazine?
It was awesome, almost like it wasn't real but at the same time it kept pushing me to get more edits and constantly evolve as a designer.

After running your own business, what is one major lesson learned and how did you learn it?
Don't grow too fast! Take your time and enjoy the process. It's never good when suddenly you're in over your head and feel more stressed than happy.

What is a common myth people have about fashion design?
That it's a glamorous job. Honestly, it's far grittier than people think.

What does it take to be successful?
Dedication and loving every aspect of what you do. Taking the good with the bad and being on top of every detail regarding how the business runs.

What are your long-term design goals?
To expand into doing more things print-related. I'm a textile girl at heart before a designer. Designing prints, patterns and colors are my favorite aspects of what I do daily.

You are a graduate of FIDM. How did you find out about FIDM and what went into your decision to go there?
It's local and reputable. I know I wanted to stay close to my family and FIDM is known to have a great fashion program.

How did you choose your major?
I wasn't sure about what aspect of the business I wanted to pursue so Merchandise Marketing was a great balance between business and design.

What was the best lesson you took away from FIDM?
Color Theory class and History of Costume.

What advice would you give someone who wanted to become a fashion designer?
Intern for a company and learn everything you can.

If you could collaborate with any designer in the world, who would it be and why?
Vera Neumann. She was the goddess of all things print-related and she blended art and fashion so well.

--Gigi Hooghkirk

A Night at the Opera

Few things evoke glamour like a night at the opera, and Northern California's social elite turned out yesterday evening for the opening night of Il Trovatore at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco.

Fashion was the star of the city's foremost red carpet event, which included the likes of former Secretary of State George Shultz, wealthy shipping magnate John Traina, and noted socialite and philanthropist, Dede Wilsey. 

Socialite Shannon Bavaro made one of the biggest impressions of the night, donning a beautiful warm slate colored evening gown designed by none other than FIDM alumna Monique Lhuillier.

You may remember Lhuillier as a guest judge on Lifetime's hit show, Project Runway. Appearing earlier this season,  this uber-talented FIDM grad joined Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Rebecca Romijn at the show's West Coast home, on the campus of FIDM Los Angeles.

Love fashion but don't know where to start? "I didn't know how to cut and sew before I came to FIDM," Lhuillier explains. 

A fashion design major who continued on to graduate from FIDM's third year Advanced Study program, this talented designer learned everything she needed to know by attending FIDM!

Follow in Lhuillier's footsteps by pursuing an exciting career in fashion design!

--Alaythia 

Monique Lhuillier at NY Fashion Week

Sophisticated. Dramatic. Feminine. These are just a few words to describe FIDM Grad Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2010 collection.  This season I was surprised (and thrilled) to see that I can add flirty, urban, and even wild to the list.  --Angel

Fashion Designers Sketch Bella From Twilight's Wedding Dress

Attention Twilight fans! InStyle.com asked a group of designers, including Christian Siriano, Erin Fetherston, and Max Azria, to sketch a wedding dress for Kristen Stewart's character. In Eclipse, Bella's dress is described as an early 1900's design. "You look like you just stepped out of an Austen movie," Bella's mother says to the bride-to-be when she spies her in the gown in the final book, Breaking Dawn.

FIDM Fashion Design grad Monique Lhuillier's interpretation is a mermaid-style dress with lace detailing. The reworked take on a gown from the 1920's features a silk sash adn high neck with cap sleeves. Yes please!

Style Scoop Interview: Maria Ewing

As the owner and designer of Locketship, Merchandise Product Development alumna Maria Ewing (who does double duty as the face the company) is living her dream. We caught up with the Los Angeles resident to talk about her awesome line, which features motifs such as shells, seahorses, anchors, birds, and rosebuds. Maria also designs bracelets, earrings, rings, and a men's collection as well.

Name: Maria Ewing

Major/Grad Year/Campus:  Merchandise Product Development, Class of 2004, Orange County and L.A. Campus.

Hometown:  Torrance, California

What do you love about running Locketship? I love the creative process. I love being able to envision a piece, gather the necessary materials, and work and create until it comes to fruition. I really enjoy being my own boss as well!

When did you launch and why? Locketship launched in January 2008. It's hard to believe it's been almost two years. I started making custom lockets for my family and friends. The pieces started getting a lot of attention and I started getting requests so I decided to turn it into a business and create a jewelry line. Ultimately, I wanted to make beautiful and memorable pieces for people so they could show off the important things in their lives.

What's a typical day like? My day starts with checking emails and prepping and shipping orders. If there is an item that needs to be made, I start the process of making it. Each locket takes two to three days to create. I make time to work on new designs everyday. I also do the web design for Locketship.com, so I make changes and add items as necessary.

Why did lockets inspire you to launch an entire line?  Lockets were originally intended to hide and protect precious items such as a photo or lock of hair. Now, it's all about showing and displaying what's important to you. Lockets are like scrapbook pages in a smaller form that are turned into a necklace. You can put anything into one and be able to wear it and have it with you at any time. And they make great conversation pieces.

What are some of your favorite pieces? I love each piece I've made, but I do have three favorites. I love the way the Half a Penguin locket looks when someone wears it. It looks like a human head on a penguin body. I also love the Lola Calavera and Betty Calavera necklaces because I sketched the faces of Lola and Betty. Lastly, the Soaring Seas necklace is special to me because it features a photograph I took in Nice, France, on my second honeymoon. I'm reminded of that special time and place every time I see and wear that piece.

How did you discover FIDM? Representatives from FIDM came to my high school and did a presentation in my clothing construction class. Our class was able to go to one of the FIDM fashion shows. It was really inspiring! I attended both the Orange County and LA campuses and now I'm running my own line.

What did you love about it? I loved all of the projects we were assigned to do. Projects at FIDM were never "dreaded school projects." They were fun because they required us to be creative and use our talents. I love working hands on because it's the easiest way for me to learn. I even enjoyed all of the papers that we had to write because they were related to the fashion industry. My favorite project was going to the museum and doing a report for my History of Costume class.

Any lessons you learned at FIDM that you still use today? One thing that has really stuck with me from FIDM is the work ethic. FIDM taught me that making it in the fashion industry and creating unique pieces are a lot of work. It's extremely rewarding work, but you still have to dedicate yourself to it. FIDM prepares you very well for that.

Where do you see the future of Locketship? My goal is to work towards opening a Locketship store. My long-term goal is to have Locketship products in stores nationwide.

What advice would you give to other aspiring jewelry designers? My advice would be to remember that starting a line in the fashion industry is a business. There's a lot of hard work that goes into coming up with ideas, creating pieces, running a website, and taking care of customers. Stay focused and always be prepared because anything can happen or change at anytime. Lastly, I would say: design what you love!

FIDM Grad James-Paul Needs Your Support!

We are thrilled to announce that FIDM Fashion Design Grad James-Paul Ancheta has been selected as one of three finalists on Bravo's hit new show, "The Fashion Show!"

This is an incredible opportunity for James-Paul, but he needs your help. The judges have eliminated their last contestant, and it's now up to BravoTV's viewers to select a grand prize winner.

Remember, this is your one-and-only chance to help a FIDM Fashion Design Grad on the inaugural season of "The Fashion Show."

There are three ways to vote for James-Paul, and each method yields ten votes. Here's how to get started:

• Call toll free 1-888-493-2703. Repeat ten times.
• Enter BravoTV.com on your web browser and click vote under the header "You Pick the Winner!" Enter your cell phone number, and like before, repeat ten times.
• Text JAMESPAUL to 27286. Each text is .99 cents, plus standard messaging rates. As always you may send up to ten texts.

Keep in mind you only have until Friday, July 17th at 5:30 AM EST to register your votes, so don't delay!

Happy Voting!

--Alaythia