H&M Collabs With Isabel Marant for Fall 2013

H&M is collaborating with French fashion designer Isabel Marant for a collection that will hit stores this fall, and we could not be more excited! The collection will drop November 14, 2013, worldwide and online, featuring clothing and accessories for women and teens. And guess what else—for the first time, Isabel will create a collection for men!

Born and raised in Paris, Isabel Marant started customizing her own clothes while still at high school—how inspiring, right? She graduated from Studio Berçot and worked her way up the fashion system starting with a jewelry line, then knitwear, and finally launched her collection in 1994. Today she runs an internationally successful fashion powerhouse with boutiques all over the world. Her Parisian chic style is a mix of bohemia and masculine tailoring. Love, love, love it!

Check out Isabel Marant talking about the collab!

Ask Fashion Girl: Which Designers Should I Feature in My School Report?

Dear Fashion Girl:

I'm doing a project for class on fashion designers throughout history. Do you have any advice?

Sincerely,

Sanai W.

Dear Sanai:

How exciting! I think it would be great to write a report on at least three designers who have changed the course of fashion in the last one hundred years.

You might consider featuring any of the following famous fashion designers:

Coco Chanel (her comfortable clothes for women), Madeleine Vionnet (her bias cut), Christian Dior (his "the new look"—tiny waist and voluminous skirt), Yves Saint Laurent (stunning couture design and women's tuxedo jackets), Ralph Lauren (his signature polo shirt), Elsa Schiaparelli (her "shocking pink" hue), and Valentino (his celebrity clients and "Valentino red").

Good luck with your project!

Stylishly Yours,

Fashion Girl

If you have a style Q for Fashion Girl, please send an email to fashiongirl@fidm.com.

Prada Candy L'Eau Short Film by Wes Anderson

Treat yourself to a little Prada/Wes Anderson candy! Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola directed a series of short films to promote Prada's new fragrance, Candy L’Eau, scheduled to hit stores in April.

The ads feature the french model and actress Léa Seydoux as Candy, who is the object of the affection of two guys who happen to be twin brothers! Adorbs. Must watch. Love. Love. Love.

Check back soon for more episodes!

Chanel Goes Global for Fall 2013

It's always exciting to see what Mr. Lagerfeld will come up with for Paris Fashion Week. He placed a giant wooden globe smack in the center of the Grand Palais as the theme for Chanel's Fall 2013 collection! Of course there were tweeds, but they glittered (like the night's sky) and metallic threads glimmered (like the cosmos).

These are a few of our favorite looks, but be sure to check out the entire collection on style.com.

Derek Lam Collection To Launch at Kohl's Next Month

Derek Lam at Kohl's? Yes, and the collection is fabulous.

Casual and chic, Derek Lam's apparel and swimwear designs are perfect for the beach as well as on the go. What's not to love when beachwear can double as daywear? The pieces are priced from $36 to $88, and will be available exclusively in Kohl's stores and online beginning in April.

Kohl’s DesigNation concept features amazing designer fashions based on global inspiration. The Derek Lam collection is influenced from his trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Kohl’s will launch more DesigNation collections throughout the year (yay!). Each collection will feature a different designer, blending his or her aesthetic with inspo from international destinations. Love!

To view the Derek Lam collection, visit kohls.com. Plus, receive a 10% discount on kohls.com with the code TENFORBLOG through March 9th!

McQ Alexander McQueen Releases Fall 2013 Fashion Film

Instead of a runway show, the Fall/Winter 2013 collection from McQ Alexander McQueen has been unveiled by video released this week. It was shot in London with models Maria Bradley and Botond Cseke superimposed onto grass and concrete. So amazing! Check it out.

Whitney Port's Line Whitney Eve Blends East and West Coast Style

You probably remember Whitney Port as a cast member on The Hills, but did you know that she has a full-fledged career in the fashion industry? In 2008, the 5'10" L.A. native launched Whitney Eve, a feminine contemporary collection made up of convertible party dresses, easy separates, and exclusive prints.

The line is influenced by easygoing California style and New York City sophistication. We're loving her pastel floral shorts and ruffle front blazers for summer. Whitney was recently at FIDM's Los Angeles campus where she took a tour. "Tour of @FIDM," she recently Tweeted. "Pretty talented people."

Just Accepted Graphic Design Student is an Award-Winning Artist

Full Name: Quinn Palmer

Age: 18

Hometown: Concord, NH

Year in School: 12

FIDM Major: Graphic Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: San Francisco, Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Jennifer Roach

Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm a self-taught digital artist and have been learning the trade for the last few years essentially from the internet. Two years ago, a friend of mine offered to buy a print of one of my pieces, and that sparked the proverbial lightbulb glowing brightly above my head: people would pay money for my artwork!

The next week I set up a website and began selling prints, and from there my website has evolved into having tons of products available to get the artwork printed on. I update the website every week with new artwork and new products whenever I can.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Winning first place in the nation in a scholastic art competition with my piece, Cold Fury. Out of thousands of entries, mine was chosen to win not only a gold circle, but was selected as the best piece submitted overall.

What made FIDM right for you? Because I'm working on my artwork with a spin towards the business aspect, FIDM really stood out to me as a graphic design school that's very up-to-date in the industry and could also train me in the aspects of business I need to make my company really take off.

Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was also based around my business. I created a magazine cover for it, a large page advertisement, and a bag design with my logo on it. All of these designs featured my artwork.

What are your career goals? To continue my business on the side at the very least, if not as a
full time job, and to make a career for myself in the graphic design industry.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? A much better grasp of the aesthetics of graphic design and publicity.

Visit THESKI.IN to learn more about Quinn's digital art.

Just Accepted Jewelry Design Student is a Champion Ice Skater

Full Name: Mackenzie Joy Ellsworth

Age: 17

Hometown: Rocklin, CA

Year in School: Senior

FIDM Major: Jewelry Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Los Angeles, Fall of 2012

Admissions Advisor: Diane Corbett

Tell us a bit about yourself. I am about to graduate from the International Baccalaureate Program at Mira Loma High School in Sacramento, CA. I just attended National Synchronized Ice Skating Championships in Worcester, Massachusetts with my team Sierra Storm. We were ranked 12th in the nation by the US Figure Skating Association!

Despite my seemingly busy life, I have always found time for my jewelry. When all of my other interests have faded and changed, jewelry has remained constant in my life. I started making jewelry when I was 11 years old with the help of an American Girl book on how to make paper clip jewelry. By the time I was 13, I had begun selling my jewelry to friends and family.

I haven't stopped since and I have enjoyed every second of my progress. I have moved on from paper clip jewelry to learning how to do beadwork and even solder metal with a master jeweler.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I would have to say my proudest accomplishments are mainly associated with my IB Diploma. I successfully incorporated my fascination with jewelry into projects pertaining to my diploma. My integration of my love for jewelry into school is the reason I have managed to stay so interested in high school and push through the countless essays and projects that have caused me many all nighters.

What made FIDM right for you? Since I was 11 years old and picked up that American Girl book, my dream has been to one day create my own jewelry company. I could never decide between going to school for business or jewelry design. Before I knew FIDM existed I pondered the idea of attending a fashion design school, or just double majoring in college so I could achieve both degrees so I wouldn't have to settle for one or the other.

FIDM has the perfect program for me! I don't have to decide or settle for anything less than I have dreamed of and I won't be overwhelmed with the thought of having to double major.

Describe your entrance project. I flipped through magazines to find some of my favorite things. I have done lots of research for my IB Art class and some ideas just stuck with me through all the years. I also knew I wanted to learn a new technique because I had an excuse to take a new class.

I decided to learn how to braid eight strands of seed beads together and wire together pewter leaves into a flower that was similar to a lotus flower. Of course the center of the flower just had to be red, my absolute favorite color, and what better beads than glimmering crystals to represent my style! The final product included everything I had hoped for, black, red, silver, a lotus flower, crystals, and even some dangling chain to resemble that of a classy chandelier.

What are your career goals? Someday I hope to run my own jewelry company. It may be far down the line, but it has been my goal since the day I discovered my love for jewelry!

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn how to handle the basics of a business and I expect to broaden my understanding of jewelry. Hopefully I will learn new ways in which I can be inspired to design jewelry, and different materials, tools, and processes in which I can create jewelry.

Just Accepted Fashion Design Student Has a Jewelry Company

Full Name: Jademoon Isabella Seltz

Age: 17

Hometown: Rancho Mirage, California

Year in School: High School Senior

FIDM Major: Fashion Design

FIDM Campus and Start Date: FIDM Los Angeles/Fall 2012

Admission Advisor: Tina Takahashi

Tell us a bit about yourself. My mind is set in a world of creativity. Since early childhood I have been attracted to activities that allow me to express myself. These activities have shaped who I am in different ways. I am a performing and competition dancer. I also have a love for the culinary arts. Music is another area of interest and has strongly impacted my life. I have grown up playing the piano, singing, writing, and recording myself and others. 

Among all my interests, nothing consumes me more than my passion for the world of fashion. I started to grow an interest for art at the age of five and this eventually led me to fashion designing. I sketch and design anything that comes to my mind, from clothes to accessories. Ever since, I have always wanted to start my own clothing and accessories line. I am completely mesmerized by fashion and how it  can transport you to another place and time, how it speaks to you without uttering a word, and how it allows you to express your individuality or play a role. I want to be a part of this world through film, television, and music.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I have actually brought a few of my jewelry designs to life.  My company, Wicked Treasurez, now has an online storefront through which I sell the latest trends and show and sell some of my own products. My items feature unique and wicked jewelry designs with a glamorous touch.

What made FIDM right for you? Once I stepped through the doors of FIDM Los Angeles I really felt in place. I specifically chose this FIDM location, because it's my second hometown, and because it is located in the #1 apparel manufacturing center in the nation. FIDM is the perfect school for me because it is where my creativity can turn into the driving force that fuses my fashion design desires with my future career realities!

Describe your entrance project. I had to create an inspiration page that would represent the theme of my seven fashion illustrations that I also had to sketch. To each of my sketches, I had to also add fabric swatches. I based my fashion designs on future trends I believe will come in and will also withstand the test of time.  Through it all, I had a lot of fun because it s what my heart and mind desire to do: create!

What are your career goals? I am ambitious to be part of the film, stage, and television costume designer world. I also see a future for myself as a fashion stylist. Expanding my jewelry line and creating a young women's wear clothing line is another goal.  

What do you expect to learn from FIDM? I know FIDM will provide me with an education that will challenge me to live up to my greatest potential. I believe I will get the fashion industry's best from FIDM due to the fact that its Board of Advisors and Faculty are successful and continually working in the fields they teach in. With FIDM's driving force to stay focused on their students'  goals, I know my dreams in the fashion world will be reached. I love what FIDM has to offer me in my major.