FashionClub.com Daily

5 Fab Friday – Tie Dye

Twist, tie, dip, dye. Love it! -Gigi

1. T-strap wedge, $19.30, gojane.com

2. Miniskirt, $50, topshop.com

3. Hoodie, $46, americanapparel.net

4. Top, $36.90, alloy.com

5. Tapestry, $14.99, urbanoutfitters.com

GenArt Kicks Off LA Fashion Week

GenArt hosted an event poolside at the legendary Roosevelt Hotel Tuesday night to kick off LA Fashion Week. Celebs, fashion designers, and celeb fashion designers were out and about looking fabulous.

The event was organized to honor GenArt Alumni—each presenting a signature look from their collection. Former Ford model and emerging style icon Amber Rose hosted the party. 

Fashion designers in attendance included: Brigid Catiis, Eduardo Lucero, Elmer Ave, Endovanera, Erik Hart, Freddie Rojas, Geren Ford, Grey Ant, Jared Gold, Jeffrey Sebelia, Jovovich-Hawk, Katy Rodriguez, Kit Scarbo, Louis Verdad, Orthodox, Rami Kashou, and Society For Rational Dress.

GenArt VP of Marketing Jen Egan poses with Host Amber Rose.

 

Project Runway: Season 3 Winner Jeffrey Sebelia poses with model and Host Amber Rose.

 

If you look closely, you'll notice...

 

...there's no mistaking this is Jeffrey Sebelia.

 

Fashion Designer Kit Scarbo with her model (holding the sign).

Fashion Designer Freddie Rojas with his look...

 

...Rami Kashou...

 

...and the fabulous Jared Gold.

 

The step and repeat was jammed packed with photographers, videographers, and, of course, starlets.

 

Across the pool, sponsor Clean & Clear set up their own photo shoot area!

 

 

 

Guests were encouraged to use their Prom props and get their pic taken.

 

Clean & Clear was promoting their new product line—full size product was included in the gift bags!

 

Fashion blogger Clint Catalyst was there. BTW he also came to Opening Night of FIDM's Ruby Slipper Collection Exhibition commemorating the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard Of Oz.

 

It was a festive night of fashion and fun. You can see it on the faces of the stylish guests!

Interview With Interior Design Alumna Pamela Jewell

Name: Pamela Jewell

FIDM Grad Year: 2008

Campus: Los Angeles

Major: Interior Design

Tell us a little about yourself: I am a 24-year old fanciful yet sensible gal living in Los Angeles. I love to thrift shop, garden, refurbish furniture, paint, and when I can, which is rare, I enjoy doing nothing at all.

Where are you working now and what do you do? I am working as a freelance designer in both residential interior design and set design.

Describe a typical work day: Every day is different. On a perfect day I could spend an entire day in my shop redoing my latest thrift find. However, in reality, I generally spend the morning meeting with my client and contractor to approve plans and purchases, followed by sourcing selections and fabrics and visiting vendors—while being attached to my phone like it's an appendage.

 

Pamela Jewell residential project

What do you love about your job? I love the satisfaction of a happy client. Everyone desires the best but sometimes a budget does not really allow for getting everything you want. There is nothing better than finding exactly what your client had in mind at half the price!

What is your proudest accomplishment? As a graduate in 2008, I dove into a very difficult industry in a very difficult time. I have had great opportunities and have established a clientele with little previous experience. In the past two years I have been able to work on international, high-end residential projects, completed a full residential project as Principal, styled/built sets for many photo shoots, was an Art Director for two sets for TV shows, started my own company, and still managed to have a social life!

 

Before

 

After - Set Design by Pamela Jewell

Who is your style icon and why? In furniture design I am enthralled by the sleek and organic flow of Ralph Pucci. 

 

Ralph Pucci chair

A few of my favorite interior designers and architects are Frank Gehry, Jacques Grange, Kelly Wearstler, Ruthie Sommers, Eileen Gray, and nearly every mid-century designer.

 

Jacques Grange living room design

 

Ruthie Sommers living room design

Philippe Starck is someone who I have aspired to be like. He has such a great eye for every facet of design from beautiful interiors to creating everyday housewares into works of art.

 

Philippe Starck product design (citrus juicer)

What's your dream fashion purchase? Well, see as every time I come across a conflict between the vintage dress or occasional chair, the dress loses. My dream purchase would be anything Ralph Pucci or an original Stilnovo chandelier.

 

Stilnovo chandelier

How did you know FIDM was the right college for you? To be surrounded by so many creative and motivated people is perfect for anyone. I was skeptical at first because it was not a four-year but within the first year, I was sure that I had made the right choice. Not only are the people and instructors amazing, living and observing Los Angeles is an entire experience in itself.

How did you decide on your major? No question about that one. I spent many days/nights rearranging my furniture, painting my room, and organizing my knickknacks as a kid. It seemed only natural...

What was specific to your major that set it apart from the other majors at FIDM? The Interior Design Major wasn't as large as many of the majors at FIDM when I started. I was really excited to see it grow by the time I graduated. Our major was similar in concept as the others but the application of the design process is quite different. Interior design, in most cases, is more permanent than fashion.

What was your favorite class at FIDM and why? Principals of Design really taught me a lot about how I approached design which was really interesting. If I had to name one favorite I would have to say Residential Thesis with Bill Merryfield. I have always had a modern minimalist aesthetic but Mr. Merryfield suggested we design a very traditional, high-end, and detailed project. This course helped me learn and do things I didn't know I was capable of.

How do you feel FIDM prepared you for what you're doing now? I wouldn't be in the industry at all if it wasn't for FIDM. I always had an eye for design but FIDM trained me to fine-tune it and apply it.

 

Pamela Jewell residential project

Any advice for current FIDM Students? Stick in there and don't give up! It's hard but it will all seem like a breeze once you're out in the field. Also, take as many extra classes as you can and take the extra mile to do internships throughout the program.

What is your biggest dream right now? I would love to be able to open a shop for my refinished vintage furniture and custom lighting line. I would love to do a set for a feature film as well—someday!

 

Before

 

After - Refinished Vintage Piece by Pamela Jewell

If you could ask a question of anyone in art/design history, who would you ask? I am not sure what I would ask but I would love to sit and have a nice long chat with Dorothy Draper, Eileen Gray, Barbara Bestor, and Zaha Hadid.

 

Check out Pamela Jewell's latest set designs on the FashionClub.com Prom photo shoots: 1920s, 1940s, and 1950s! Soon to come...the 1970s!

What's New on FashionClub.com—Prom 2010 Trends!

Prom is almost here and FashionClub.com brings you all the hot trends so you can get shopping!

The focus is on vintage styles as inspired by iconic fashionable couples from the past! FIDM Grad and Celeb Stylist Cassey Sawhill (who also styled our amazing shoot!) shares, "Prom is all about making your look your own and getting creative! Today's trends tap into the creative spirit by channeling some of the past decades' hottest looks."

Our first couple is Gatsby and Daisy from F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." Fabulous sundrenched, airy, and elegant is what this '20s look is all about—sheer, beaded dresses, cascading pearls, and oversized hair accessories.

They didn't call it the Roaring '20s for nothing—read all about that amazing time in history on Catwalk. It was a fab time for music and having fun!

Plus, be sure to find out how to make your look fresh on Makeover Magic!

Our next fabulous couple is Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall from the '40s. Old Hollywood Glam—simple silhouettes, gem tones and subdued satins are huge—quietly understated, yet so, so strong.

Everything makes sense when you put fashion into an historical perspective. Check out what made the '40s so incredibly special in Catwalk. 

Find out how to get those red lips just right on Makeover Magic. Also, check out What's Haute for Spring. Loving the oversized tee!

Stay tuned for more prom looks coming very soon! Hint: the '50s and '70s...

5 Fab Friday – Bodysuits

Tucking in is so in. -Gigi

1. Black and white striped, $32, urbanoutfitters.com

2. J'adore l'amour, $40, topshop.com

3. White with black polkadots, $24, americanapparel.net

4. Black scoopneck, $38, anthropologie.com

5. Black with white polkadots, $12.80, forever21.com

Interview With Visual Communications Alumna Christy Maguire

Visual Communications Alumna Christy Maguire is managing the in-house PR and Marketing efforts for fashion designer Lauren Moshi—which largely involves being a social networking guru. She loves the brand and is proud to help grow something she believes in.

FIDM Grad Year: 2009

Campus: Los Angeles

Age: 22

Tell us a little about yourself: I grew up in Seattle and graduated high school there. I went straight to college at Chapman University in Orange County majoring in International Business. I began working for a designer in L.A. producing her fashion shows and being her brand representative during the summer. It was then that I realized I wanted a future in fashion, so I moved up to L.A. and started at FIDM. I used to visit the Career Center often and take any volunteer opportunity I could get. I worked at L.A. Fashion Week, Vanity Fair events, Burberry, Teen Vogue, and others. I then decided I wanted an internship, so my counselor, Cindy Patino, sent me some opportunities. I was an Entertainment Marketing intern at Richemont (luxury group of companies such as Chloe, Van Cleef & Arpels, and others) for eight months. It was really a great experience—I learned a lot and had so much fun. I'm glad I did it. It definitely made my transition to working after graduation easier.

Where are you working now? I work for the designer Lauren Moshi. I do her in-house PR. That entails handling all of her social media, and tracking and creating as much press as possible. And I also do her website.

Describe a typical work day: Get to the office around 9am, sit at my desk, turn on my computer, check my work email. Then I'll pull up the Lauren Moshi website, Twitter, Facebook, and blog. A lot of our sales are generated by celebrities wearing her clothes, so making sure they get to the right people and finding those new images are daily tasks. Next I'll pull up Photoshop and create mock blogs where I play around with images and press. I probably do about five of those per day and we'll have weekly meetings where they tell me what they like or don't like, and we come up with new ideas. Once I have a final draft on Photoshop, I'll upload it to the blog. Right now I'm working on updating our website with current collections. Every once in a while she'll send me out to pull fabric samples, or we'll have a photo shoot for a new collection; but other than that, I'm at the desk most all day.

What do you love about your job? My office—it's so nice! They gave me a big desk and I have a huge MAC computer to work on. Job-wise though, I really love working for Lauren and Michael Moshi—they give me so much creative freedom. I also love the brand, so I'm happy to be helping grow something I believe in.

What is you proudest accomplishment? I'd say graduating college and landing a job I'm happy and secure with. I'm exactly where I hoped I would be at this time in my life.

Who is your style icon and why? That's such a tough question. She would be a combination of Victoria Beckham, Sienna Miller, and Carrie from Sex & The City.

What's your dream fashion purchase? Right now I want the Black YSL Pumps with the blue sole. The entire Spring 2010 Versace collection would be nice too.

 

How did you know FIDM was the right college for you? I knew what I wanted out of an education, what classes I needed to take, and what I wanted to learn. I knew FIDM would provide me that as well as connections afterwards. The first college I went to wasn't creative at all and location-wise I knew I wanted to be in L.A.

How did you decide on your major? I had taken Business before and I wanted something creative. I loved fashion show production and styling, so that's originally why I chose VCOMM.

What is specific to Visual Communications that sets it apart from the other majors at FIDM? It takes a certain type of creativity. I think you need to be confident and risk-taking. It's about production and presentation, not necessarily design or number-crunching. I like it because it ties so many things together; it's a very broad major.

What was your favorite class at FIDM and why? Any of the Digital Imaging classes. I could sit on Photoshop and Illustrator all day!

Any advice for current FIDM Students? Go to the Career Center! Even if it means stalking your Career Counselor—they're busy but it will pay off to utilize them.

What is your biggest dream right now? Just to be happy, to never be bored, and to love what I'm doing every day. I want to move up in my career and continue to feel successful.

If you could ask anyone in fashion history a question, who would it be? Edie Sedgwick. She was a style icon. I love fashion of that era. I'd just make her tell me stories about Andy Warhol and The Factory.

 

New Interview With Merchandise Product Development Student Natasha Endrei

Merchandise Product Development Student Natasha Endrei moved to LA from Ohio to pursue her dreams of a career in the fashion industry. Read our interview with Natasha to learn more about her style icons, the fashion sites she can't live without, and what she loves about FIDM.

Age: 19

Hometown: Avon, OH

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? I think one of my proudest accomplishments has been getting here to FIDM, and the things I have faced and overcome since being out here in Los Angeles.

Favorite designer: I don't usually have favorites but a designer whose work I absolutely adore is Oscar de la Renta. I feel not only his gowns but also his ready to wear garments celebrate the female and embrace the feminine curves.

What's a trend or item you're loving right now? I love leggings—if i could just wear different types of leggings and never have to wear real pants again, I would be perfectly happy. They are comfortable and cute—isn't that what we're all searching for?

Who is your style icon and why? The Olsen twins. I love their use of skinny jeans, gorgeous stilettos, oversized flannels, and layering. They also have a phenomenal collection of jewelry used to accessorize their often casual outfits.

What's in your wardrobe you can't live without? Leggings, my leather jacket, and my leather Valentino backpack from Europe I received as a gift.

What fashion websites/blogs do you love? I love being able to access Vogue, Elle, and all my other magazines online. On top of that I love using the FIDM Portal to access WWD and StyleSight. A fashion blog I enjoy is a friend of mine's called LAInspiration. It is just finding people in everyday life with great or unique style, and then also suggesting stores and online sites to find great merchandise and deals with a little bit of personal input.

How did you decide on FIDM? When I was looking at colleges, I looked at FIT, LIM, Parsons, Art Institute, and FIDM. I started all of the application/searching process for all of them around the same time. FIDM stuck out to me though—I had a fantastic admissions process, and felt that the vibe and personality of FIDM was the right fit for me. Visiting campus only solidified my assumptions and exceeded my expectations.

How did you choose your major? I owe a lot of my choice on major to my fantastic Admissions Advisor, Laura Gorham. She asked me about what I wanted to be doing in the future, and what I love doing now and helped my narrow the choices down to Merchandise Product Development. Being three semesters in, I couldn't be happier and more confident in my choice.

What do you love about FIDM? I love that I am surrounded by people who are just as passionate about art and are as creative as I am, and all the different styles and cultural backgrounds of everyone. I love the fact that FIDM really lets you be who you are, and no one is really going to judge or criticize you.

What's your favorite class so far and why? Surprisingly, I love my Effective Speaking class. I know it's not one of the super creative classes or design-based but I really enjoyed my Professor Nino Surdo. The class was not only a learning experience on public speaking but also provided helpful tools and mindsets for life.

Describe the students. I think the thing that makes the FIDM Student Body unique is that we are all from different states, ethnicities, religions, styles and yet we all come together on our one common factor which is our love for art and design.

What are your career goals? My long-term goals are to own a company or a handful of different lines, along with founding a charity to help bring necessities such as food, water, clothing, and medicine to those in the U.S. and Africa who can't afford them.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to FIDM? I would say do your homework, really ask your advisor questions, look at the FIDM website and catalog thoroughly, and go with your gut. Really think about if FIDM is right for YOU, not for anyone else! I am so happy with my decision to come to FIDM and wish all prospective students the best in their journey.

Jean Paul Gaultier for Target in Stores Now

Target pulls off another designer collaboration, beautifully. Jean Paul Gaultier for Target is in stores now—the perfect mix of feminine looks with an edge. The collection includes high-waisted pants and shorts, mini skirts, cool jackets, cropped tanks, and swimwear. See for yourself!

 

Don't you love the tattoo print mesh tee ($26.99) layered under the halter dress ($59.99). It's like a second layer of skin.

 

Can't go wrong with a versatile khaki trench ($59.99), especially when styled over something super feminine like this lingerie green dot dress ($34.99).

 

Vests are so hot this spring, especially a cropped style like this one ($29.99). It adds a touch of tough to this adorable eyelet halter dress ($59.99).

"My collection with Target pays homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women," said Jean Paul Gaultier. "From ingenue to rock 'n roll, this collection celebrates women of all ages and a host of distinctive, iconic American styles."

This exclusive collection will only be available for the next month (through April 11, 2010), so be sure to check it out. As a student of fashion it's important to take notice of these designer collaborations. They're getting more and more popular. It's a great way for top designers to get widespread visibility with a new audience.

Also, be sure to visit FIDM Fashion Design Student Michelle Smith's review of Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring/Summer collection and more on her blog!

-Gigi Hooghkirk

5 Fab Friday – Alice in Wonderland

"You've got a very important date." Alice in Wonderland starts today!  -Gigi

1. Blue eyelet dress, $49.50, delias.com

2. Keyhole rose ring, $50, karmaloop.com

3. Personalized Alice in Wonderland book, $34, fredflare.com

4. Cheshire Cat messenger bag, $34.99, hottopic.com

5. Alice perfume, $19.99, hottopic.com

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