FashionClub.com Daily

Career Girl Answers: Does FIDM Work With You To Get You Financial Aid?

Dear Career Girl:

I really want to go to FIDM and think that it is a perfect fit for me, but I'm not sure my parents can afford it. Does FIDM work with you to get you financial aid?

-Meghan

Dear Meghan:

First of all, I'm ecstatic you think FIDM is a perfect fit for you. That's wonderful! And I'm so glad you asked that question. 

I want to let you know there are many options in terms of financial aid including Federal Grants, Federal Stafford Loans, and State Aid. You can find out about all of these options on FIDM's site. You should also make a point to speak with your high school counselor—they may know of scholarships and/or grants for which you should apply.

Have you heard of FIDM's National Scholarship Competition? You can win a full one-year scholarship to attend FIDM. It's open to all high school seniors and graduates. FIDM is looking for creative thinkers with a vision. The competition deadline is April 30, 2010. Click here for a complete list of FIDM scholarships opportunities. 

Here's a money-saving tip: If you are seeking acceptance for Summer or Fall 2010, enroll prior to the April 1, 2010 deadline in order to avoid this year's tuition increase. If you need assistance, please call the Admissions Office at 800-624-1200.

On a side note, while FIDM encourages the seeking of grants and scholarships, students should not rely upon them as a major means of financing their education. Please contact an Admissions Advisor with all of your questions.

I wish you all the best, Meghan! Good luck with your decision.

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers Your Fashion Career Questions

Dear Career Girl:

I'm very interested in going to FIDM. But I was wondering...Do you have to know (or be great at) what you want to learn before going to FIDM?

-Rosalinda

Dear Rosalinda:

Not at all. In fact, we encourage students to come to FIDM with an open mind. FIDM is a college—a place to study, learn, and exercise creativity. What is important is your level of interest and your hunger for new experiences. FIDM has 20 exciting majors from which to choose—to prepare you for careers in not only the Fashion Industry, but in the Visual Arts, Interior Design, and Entertainment Industries, as well!

Please feel free to contact a FIDM Advisor. They are so great and can help you decide in which direction to go.

Go for your dreams, Rosalinda!

-Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: I've Hit A Bump On My Fashion Project. What Should I Do?

Dear Career Girl:

I've hit a bump on my project. I've been working on my first line since October but I can't really sew. I've been doing it myself and it's really hard. I feel like I'm not getting anywhere. What should I do?

-Stuck

Dear Stuck:

Fashion design involves many different stages of development—from trend research to sketching to pattern drafting to sample construction, and many steps in between! Have you had any formal training? Check out FIDM's Fashion Design Program. It could be just what you need to get unstuck. Plus, the instructors know that students sometimes enter the program without ever having touched a sewing machine in their life.

I wish you all the best! Keep me posted on your progress.

–Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: What Colored Pencils Should I Use For Fashion Design Sketching?

Dear Career Girl:

I plan on being a Fashion Designer. I love to sketch designs but when its time to color them in, crayons, colored pencils, and markers don't work. Where can I find design colored pencils and such that will work with design sketches?

-Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth:

Prismacolor Premier colored pencils are ideal for fashion design sketching. The FIDM store sells the 12-pencil set for $19.95. Also, if you're looking for a great book on sketching, check out FIDM Instructor Nancy Riegelman's "9 Heads: A Guide To Drawing Fashion." You can get an autographed copy of it on the FIDM store website for $83.40.

You mentioned that markers don't usually work for you. But, did you know there are markers that are specially made for fashion design sketching? Try the Tria Marker 24 set collection ($59.95). 

Nancy Riegelman has an excellent book aptly named, "Colors For Modern Fashion: Drawing Fashion With Colored Markers." Contact the FIDM store to get your copy!

Good luck with your sketching, Elizabeth!

–Career Girl

Career Girl Answers Your Fashion Career Questions

Dear Career Girl:

I'm a sophomore in high school and am interested in going to FIDM. I really like Fashion Design, but I'm also interested in Fashion Merchandising. Can you explain the difference between the two, and is there a job that involves both fashion design and merchandising?

-Katie

Dear Katie:

That's great news! And I can definitely explain the difference between these two excellent career choices. While both fields will require an understanding of business, Fashion Merchandising focuses on the business of fashion while Fashion Design leans more in the creative direction. 

FIDM's Fashion Merchandising curriculum covers management concepts, selling techniques, pricing principles, brand imaging, and marketing and business strategies, to name a few.  

On the other hand, FIDM's Fashion Design Program includes courses in the history of costume, sketching, sewing, draping, pattern drafting, garment construction, and portfolio preparation & presentation.

In both programs, you will study textile science, critical thinking, color & design theory, and the history of costume.

So, what job incorporates both of these areas of study? A Design Director. They must have a creative vision and strong merchandising knowledge as well as good communication skills. They work closely with the sales team.

Before you make your decision, Katie, make sure you reach out to meet with a FIDM advisor. They will be more than happy to sit down with you and help you figure out your next steps. Good luck to you!

Fashionably Yours,

Career Girl

Career Girl Answers: I Am Thinking About Studying Jewelry Design. Can You Help Me Make My Decision?

Dear Career Girl:

I'm thinking about studying jewelry design. Can you help me make my decision?

–Katarina

Dear Katarina:

You are obviously a creative person. The world is your oyster! I have a question for you. Do you have a passion for design, an eye for detail, and a love of accessorizing? If you've answered yes, then you're leaning in the right direction and guess what—FIDM has a Jewelry Design program!

As part of the curriculum, you'll learn all about the history of jewelry, metalsmithing, wax carving and casting, and creative design. Plus, you'll have access to FIDM's amazing Career Center where you'll get help finding internships and jobs! One of our students, Francesca Keesee, recently got an internship with Tarina Tarantino.

Oh, and as an FYI—graduates of the program have gone on to have wildly successful careers. The photo above is from FIDM Alumni Jo-Jo's collection. His line is called Vilaiwan. For more information, go to fashionclub.com.

Good luck with your decision, Katarina!

Career Girl

Career Girl Answers Your Fashion Career Questions

Dear Career Girl:

    I have recently been accepted to FIDM and I wanna go there more anything. However, I worry that I may not be ready coming straight out of high school. I was wondering if maybe you could do a blog post or something talking about how different students feel, comparing those who come straight from high school to those who come after having college experience already. I realize that going to FIDM is hard work and determination and I am ready for that, but I just want to make sure I am doing what is right for me. By being able to get feedback on this issue it will help me determine whether I can come right away, or if I need to go to a university first before attending. If you have any advice or anything just email me back, or if you could do a post that would be wonderful as well!

Thank you!
Megan

Dear Megan,

    I started the FIDM Fashion Design program right after high school. Literally, because my first quarter was the summer quarter, giving me only had 2 weeks for break. Personally, I am very satisfied with my decision because I am doing what I love. FIDM is fast-paced and requires dedication, organization, and passion. I stress this because if you are still unsure if fashion is the path you'd like to take, perhaps it would be better to seek other options until you are more certain. FIDM begins equipping students with the skills to succeed in the field right away, so you never feel like it is a waste of time or money. Plus, FIDM helps you find jobs even after you graduate. If this truly is something you want to do for the rest of your life, go for it!

I asked some fellow students their opinions on the matter as well:

"Before I went to FIDM, I studied Marine Biology at UCLA. It was a very different experience than studying Fashion Design at FIDM, but during my time there I met a variety of people with backgrounds different from my own. I also had the opportunity to travel and live on my own. It is these life experiences that have allowed me to expand my worldview and help me succeed at FIDM." - Ally Junasz Fashion Design Major

"I found that going to FIDM straight out of high school was a better choice for me. I was involved in classes that not only had to do with fashion, but with the exact career direction I wanted to take." - Alyssa Anzures Apparel Manufacturing Management Major

"I have no regrets. My friends felt that I lost my summer, but I'd have to disagree. Only because I got to start college early, which means getting closer to my dream – and what better way to have spent the summer but in L.A?!" - Kayla Noyes Fashion Design Major

”To say that going to college first and then going to FIDM would be an easier transition is merely not true. FIDM is the type of school that challenges the individual mentally and emotionally. A student who attends FIDM needs to be mentally strong and emotionally capable to handle everything thrown at them.” -Esteban Medina Fashion Design Major

"I've heard several teachers say that it's difficult for students to jump right in to FIDM after high school and that it can be beneficial to take a longer break or go to another college beforehand. This was not the case for me. I was ready to begin cultivating my skills and I was mature enough to be able to plan out my time and work hard. I know what i want to do with my career and my life; why should i waste any more time? For me and many other FIDM students, high school was an exercise in futility. Going to a specialized school allows me to focus on my specific career goals and interests." -Cat Brosius Fashion Design Major

Best of luck with your decision and your future!

Sincerely,

Career Girl (aka Michelle Smith)

Michelle is a Student at FIDM and she blogs about her experience on FIDM.edu. You can read her blog here.

Career Girl Answers: I Would Love A Fashion Job That Involves Travel. Any ideas?

Dear Career Girl:

I would love a fashion job that involves travel. Any ideas?

–Marieke

Dear Marieke:

You've picked the right industry if you like to travel, especially as a fashion designer. Have you heard of the action sports company, Nikita? One year they took all their designers to Iceland for inspiration!! Can you believe it?

Other areas of fashion involve travel, too. If you have a desire to get into international manufacturing and product development, you'll need to go to places like Paris, Milan, and Hong Kong regularly. In fact, if you major in this at FIDM, these trips are part of the curriculum. You'll participate in a study tour where you'll do exciting textile research at Premiere Vision—an amazing tradeshow in Paris that has the best fabrics from all over the world! 

If you get a Visual Communications degree from FIDM, you could focus on becoming a visual merchandiser. This will involve travel to store locations to ensure the face of the brand is visually communicated accurately.

My best advice is to follow your heart. It will lead you where you want and need to be!

Fashionably,

Career Girl

Dear FIDM Femme: I Want to Work Behind-the-Scenes at Fashion Shows!

Dear FIDM Femme: 

I am going to be a sophomore this coming year, and I know what I want to do with my career. But I don't really know what it's called. I want to work behind the scenes at fashion shows, helping to get the outfits together and getting the girls in line. What would you label this as? Thanks for the help,

Samantha A.
Oxford, NC

Dear Samantha: 

To answer your question, there are a number of different jobs encompassing each of those responsibilities. For example, someone who organizes the pieces and helps the models get dressed would be called a model dresser. Moreover, the person who is responsible for organizing the models could be called a model coordinator, runway coordinator, or even event coordinator. The connective thread is that everyone involved in the dressing/styling/coordinating process operates under strict guidance from the designer. 

If you're interested in doing this type of work, I recommend becoming a fashion stylist. Someone in this position would work under a designer, and yet have the responsibility of organizing the looks in such a way that you succeed in producing the designer's vision. 

To become a stylist, I would recommend one of two majors at FIDM. The first is Fashion Design and the second is Visual Communications. Either would sufficiently prepare you to work behind the scenes at any runway event. 

Since FIDM has 18 Exciting Majors, I would encourage you take our Career Quiz! By taking all of your interests into consideration, the Quiz will either validate your intended career path or offer insight into a talent you never knew you had!

Good Luck!!

xo
The FIDM Femme

Career Girl Answers: What Path Should I Take To Become A Fashion Editor?

Dear Career Girl:

I would like to know what I should major in at FIDM if I want to become a Fashion Editor?

Faith

 

Dear Faith:

One path to becoming a Fashion Editor is to get your Associate of Arts degree from FIDM in a fashion-related major such as Merchandise Marketing or Visual Communications, then transfer to a school that accepts FIDM units for credit and finish your Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or English. Then you would have both fashion knowledge and writing skills.

Good luck!

Fashion Girl