FashionClub.com Daily

Style Scoop Interview: Just Accepted - Jayme Coca

This month we're featuring exciting, new talent Jayme Coca! At 18 years of age, Jayme is a go-getter with an eye for fashion. Let's find out more about this unique student and her future plans at FIDM! --Alaythia

Name: Jayme Coca
Age: 18
City: Laguna Niguel, CA
URL: www.myspace.com/krazycoca
FIDM Start Date, Major, and Campus: Fall 2009, Visual Communications, Orange County

Tell us a little about yourself: I'm a senior in high school with a passion for fashion. My major is going to be Visual Communications because I am good at experimenting with different clothing and color combinations. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to design for the 2006 Environmental Resources Awareness Calendar. More recently, I had the honor of winning FIDM's Second Exclusive MySpace Contest: Color Creation. I am determined to get into the fashion industry and will not give up! 

Sites you must visit daily: MySpace, Facebook, and FastWeb.

Favorite Designer: I have so many! I love Betsey Johnson's unique aesthetic, Versace's elegant dresses, and Kira Plastinina's trendy collections. I am also a huge fan of FIDM's Nick Verreos, because I think he's incredibly talented.  

Trend/item you're loving right now: I'm loving True Religion's denim collection right now. I swear I've seen their looks on at least twenty different people! Above all, I love how there is so much diversity in denim, with regards to different gradients of washout and different stitching as it stands out on darker fabric.

Who is your style icon and why? My style icon would have to be Angelina Jolie. She is tough yet always looks gorgeous and feminine. I like the edgier side of many celebrities, in the way that their style seems limitless.

What is your dream fashion purchase? I absolutely adore the Turquoise Loyola Satchel designed by FIDM Grad Bryna Nicole Hubbs. It's an accessory that I would carry everyday and never let out of my sight. I think my other dream fashion purchase would have to be a Versace gown. They are always so exquisite and embody the term "fashionable."

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? That would have to be my dark blue Dickies skinny leg jeans. They have the wide stitching that stands out on the fabric and they are super-comfortable. I wear them all the time and they go with any top.

You're spending an afternoon shopping in the city of your choice. What's the city and itinerary? My ultimate shopping-trip would take place in the awe-inspiring city of London, England.   My ultimate day of shopping would start early in the morning with a stroll down Oxford Street, AKA "The Heart of London Shopping." After that, I would head towards Portobello Road, the world's largest antiques market. With 300 stores to choose from, I'd spend the rest of my day in the back of each and every store searching for those very special finds.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or t.v. character whose would it be? That's a tough one. I'd have to choose Serena van der Woodsen played by Blake Lively from Gossip Girl or Brooke Davis played by Sophia Bush on One Tree Hill. Both of their characters have such great style. They are well-known for being trendy and fun.

The ultimate accessory is: A great handbag! I believe the right purse can transform a casual outfit into a dressy one, and make an outfit fun by adding a bit of color or flare.

How did you become aware of FIDM? I first learned about FIDM during my freshman year in high school. It began with an assignment to choose a specific career, and find a school that would help me pursue that career path. Choosing fashion design, I found FIDM to be my favorite of all the colleges I looked at. 

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? As soon as I walked on campus, I felt an immediate connection. There is a kind of creative ambiance that deeply permeates the entire campus. It is a place that embraces all types of thinking, and I instinctively felt the opportunity to demonstrate my creativity and expand my horizons. It just felt like the right place for me.

Describe how you felt when they told you that you were accepted? I was ecstatic. I was speechless at first, and then I was happy and excited. It took all my strength not to jump up and down right there in the office. I waited until I was outside for that. In fact, I didn't quit smiling for the rest of the day. It was April 14th, 2009, a day I will never forget.

What part of starting FIDM are you most looking forward to? I am most looking forward to being taught by a distinguished group of talented professors. I want to learn everything that I can and put it to use in the real world. All of the professors have experience and are willing to teach you all that they know. They are there to help you succeed in the fashion industry and that is exciting. I know it is not going to be easy but I don't mind working hard. In fact, I like to do my best on every project, and I know that I am going to enjoy the challenges FIDM throws my way.

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? I think I will gain knowledge as well as experience and confidence within my ability to be great in the fashion industry. FIDM is such an amazing school and I want to learn all it has to offer me.

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating from FIDM? I have only read about some of the career opportunities that may await me after graduation, but I think I might be interested in becoming a fashion stylist or an exhibition designer. I plan to get a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management after I complete my Associates in Visual Communications. I believe that finishing these extensive courses will help me become better rounded and expand my career options after FIDM. I am the face of FIDM, and I look forward to representing my college in a positive light.

What should potential students do in high school to prepare for a future at FIDM? Join the High School FIDM Fashion Club at your school if one exists, and if it doesn't, start one! Also, use the projects you are doing for everyday classes as practice for what you'll be doing at FIDM later on. Whenever a teacher gives us an open prompt, I usually find some way to bring fashion into the mix. Working hard and putting everything you have into what you want to do in life is also important.

What advice would you give to students looking to be accepted into FIDM? It's important to always follow your dreams, no matter what anyone says.

Super Lucky Cat Reinventing Vintage

Super Lucky Cat, a company started by Crystal Butler and FIDM Alumnus Michael Baffic is one of the few companies still around that brings vintage clothing to life by reinventing pieces into dresses, tops, and other great silhouettes for women.
    All the designs are created in their loft in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, only a couple miles from the FIDM campus. With bags and racks full of clothing galore, they are getting ready to ship out to different buyers across the nation.

FC: What is Super Lucky Cat and how did it get started?

"Crystal and I met in New York in 1998. She was a buyer for Urban Outffiters, I was a merchandiser and sales manager at a company; we met and started dating and we had the opportunity to move to Los Angeles. It didn't work out for her position, and I kept telling her to start her own company--she's liked remaking vintage since she was a kid...so she started a company. She began remaking vintage and sent some things to Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom and they really liked it, so they bought it. I would work all day at my job, and then I would come home and help her cut orders, pack orders, do whatever until late at night and then go back to work the next morning. This went on for many years. When it was finally a big enough company, I quit my job and did Super Lucky Cat full-time."

FC: Tell us what the whole process is for Super Lucky Cat compared to a massive factory?

 

"Our materials are all recycled, so everything is one-of-a-kind. Our process is: order vintage, (we get it in by the thousands of pounds), then we have to pay people to sort through the vintage and remove all the damaged items. Then we have to wash all the vintage and then we have to sort all the vintage by size and color. Then we have to start worrying about what we want to make.

    If we make something out of scarves, each garment has to be hand matched so our staff has to find all the scarves in a certain color that look good together. They have to lay them all out and then reinspect them for damage. After that they get pressed and stacked and the pattern gets put on top to get cut. Once all that is finished, it goes for sale. It takes us 4 or 5 times as long to make one garment; it also requires 4 times the staff."

FC: What is it specifically that you do in the company?

"I do all of the banking, the finances, book keeping, order entry, answering phones, production managing, shipping, and I also play assistant designer."

FC: Is Super Lucky Cat considered eco-friendly?

"We consider all of our lines eco-friendly because they are made from recycled clothing...we don't go out and buy bamboo--that's eco-friendly for the New York Times! We take people's garbage and turn it into new clothes and sell it to stores, and people buy it. The way we see it, we're directly taking garbage and taking things that people don't want and making it into something people want; which is a lot better than saying I only buy fabric that is organically grown. We actually use trash, we think we are a much more eco-friendly company than some others."

FC: What was your major at FIDM?

"I studied Fashion Design. I studied in San Franciso for a year and then went on to Los Angeles to finish my second year."

FC: Why FIDM?

"I think it was because it was a trade school--I was going to learn how to get a job and be prepared, instead of learning the 'arty-ness' of being a designer. I wanted to go to school and get a job.

FC: Why is school so important?

"If you don't have a degree, nobody is going to talk to you, period. The one thing that I like is that when you get someone from FIDM, you know they've had the opportunity to learn what they need to learn to get an entry level job. Whether someone takes advantage of that knowledge or not is a different story, but you know the education was there. We've hired two FIDM Graduates...actually our first assistant was finishing up her degree at FIDM while working for us part time. We hire them because we know they have the basic training.

    I always made sure to take the hardest instructors, and the only reason I took them was because they stressed how important it was in your presentation, your follow through, and your attention to detail; they kept reminding us how competitive it was and how hard it was. I was very organized, I knew how to present my work and I think more than anything that's what really helped me get a job. They stressed real world skills and qualities that you needed to get a job."

FC: What is your advice to students who want to start their own company?

"I really really think that nobody should bother starting their company for at least 10-15 years. I have friends that have tried it right after school and it was just a money pit. FIDM is a great place to get a basic education. Work for someone smart and for different companies for ten years, get to be the boss' friend, be the boss' most trusted employee, be the boss' right hand person and learn how the boss runs the business and makes money.

    If you can design, you have 1/10th of the formula, you need to know how to make patterns, fit patterns, production, quality control, you need to know how to pack your own boxes...unless someone gives you a million dollars to hire people to do all these things. You have to know how to do everything yourself and the only way to learn that is to work for somebody who already knows it and take every opportunity to go help out. I use to go help pack boxes in my spare time and I learned to pack boxes and label them so when I had my own company I didn't have to hire a shipper; all the other sales people thought I was crazy because they were too important to pack boxes. That's why it's important you get a basic education so that you can get your foot in the door."

Make sure to support Super Lucky Cat by finding them at any Urban Outfitters in your area. To find more retailers, visit superluckycat.com!

Meet the Digital Media Students Who Create Living the FIDM Life

Students Hartley Haverty and Melissa Wong use their multi-talented skills in order to produce, film, edit, and bring to life everything that is FIDM's reality show Living the FIDM Life. After two years on hiatus, the reality show was relaunched back at the end of 2008. Now, we're able to see a piece of what reality is like at FIDM, and what it really means to "live the FIDM life."

FC: What is Living the FIDM Life?

Haverty: "Our premise so far has been that Melissa and I are Digital Media students and we are working together to create a reality show, so it's kind of behind the scenes of a reality show in a reality show."

Wong: "Even though it's more specific to what we're doing right now, I think at the same time it is called Living the FIDM Life and I think there is a universal aspect to where everyone is going through a program--whether it's Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or Interior Design, we are all going through stress at once and dealing with all these things at once and showing how students go about dealing with the pressure."

FC: Who are the individuals involved?

Haverty: "It's people that we pick; mainly right now, the first two episodes that we've worked on focus on the Digital Media Center and how we integrate with the rest of the school, especially with the FIDM Debut Runway Show and projects like the Graphic Design and Digital Media Competition, where students are working together on projects."

Wong: "Eventually we would hope to carry on to different majors. Right now it's competitions within Digital Media and Graphic Design but hopefully it will evolve between Marketing, Interior Design, Fashion, and other majors."

FC: What is the Graphic Design and Digital Media Competition all about?

Haverty: "Basically the Graphic Design and Digital Media students are paired up, so they are working in teams of two. They've been given a band named "Seriously" that they have a single from; the Digital Media student will be working on a music video for the band and the Graphic Design student will be working on the album cover design and posters for the band and their single.
    They will be given three tasks. They are currently working on their first task. They had to go to the zoo and pick an animal that embraces their concept for their idea for their music video and designs. These students have such amazing skill sets that they use to come together and make it work to create a product that is cohesive."

Wong: "The last judging we are going to put up on youtube so the youtube viewers will actually have input on who they think should win. That will be part of the judging for the last episode."

FC: What is your opinion on reality shows?

Haverty: "Now working on one, it's interesting how much things are staged. I mean I still love all of my reality shows. It's technically not scripted but you might need to recreate and reenact, so it is set up a lot of the times. I can look at a lot of shows and know which ones are set up. But it's entertaining because of the characters that people choose. If you get conflict and personality then kudos to the producers for choosing those people because they put them into those situations and they're gonna go at it, so that's real in that sense."

Wong: "It's a lot of planning, although it's reality you need to know where to be and what time. It is reality in a sense that we are in these situations, but we need to make sure we have a camera around."

FC: What is the difference between this reality show and others?

Wong: "I think we are actually working on real world things, and it's really stressful. We're not lying when we're stressing out and going crazy because it is actually what we feel. I think Hartley and I, we're not acting in front of the camera. We talk to the audience genuinely and we're not trying to be other people. This is really who we are."

Haverty: "I would say the difference also is we don't have a crew. I mean it's me and Melissa working camera, working sound, editing (most of it). It's hard when you're on the field and you have to run the entire show. It's kind of like a two-person crew."

FC: What do you think about the Digital Media program at FIDM?

Wong: "One of the things that makes it special is how small it is right now because everyone knows everyone. You're really comfortable with the instructor and with your peers. It's really fast paced and we don't learn just one thing. We learn many skills simultaneously so that we're not stuck in a situation where we wouldn't know what to do."

Haverty: "It's great because teachers can pay closer attention to what your main focus is. Working on this reality show I've been on job interviews where people are very impressed that I can wear a number of different hats. Knowing you can do all those different skills without going crazy is very impressive."

FC: Future goals for the show and in your lives?

Wong: "Ultimately I want to work in the Entertainment Industry. I do enjoy editing and that will lead me to where I want to go. After graduating I'm going to be moving to Japan because I want to travel and see the world and get experiences from different places before I actually settle down into one set career. I think right now it's the best time for me to explore."

Haverty: "I'm working on the show for now. I would like to see this competition be finished and all the episodes be finished. That's my short-term goal. I'm currently going on interviews for full-time jobs because I do want to get my foot in the door. I think now it's timing and riding the wave until someone says they have a project that they will bring me on for."

FC: How do you feel about the current economy?

Wong: With the connections and the reputations that we set for ourselves, I think we'll come out of it o.k. We learn the skills we need here, we just need the chance to prove ourselves. Once we get our foot in the door, we'll be able to meet our ultimate goals."

Haverty: "I think I would have a harder time right now if I didn't have a degree or some kind of forte to show what I do. This is definitely the time to go get a degree!" 

Watch season 2, episode 1 of Living the FIDM Life!

            - Arali

FIDM From a Guy's Perspective

    FIDM Student Adam Juneau practically grew up with FIDM because his mom worked for the college. "I got really close to the people here. The guards came and watched me play basketball back when I was in high school--even teachers did," Juneau remembers.
    After high school, he needed a change of scene and moved to Boston to study. Juneau got a degree in Comparative Media Studies and then took the next step to enhance his knowledge by applying to FIDM's Digital Media program. "FIDM is more production oriented. I have the opportunity to practice a lot. [That experience] gives me a really nice background," said Juneau. He explains what he finds so fascinating about his major: "We cover much more then what another media degree might cover, but we have a really thorough understanding of what we do. You don't leave thinking you need to go back to school. You leave here thinking you're ready to work and get out there and do what you need to do."
    He considers confidence key at FIDM: "Being confident in yourself and then projecting that out there is important." He gave some pointers for those who are considering attending FIDM. "The classes here are not like the ones in high school. The teachers don't force feed you the information; you're meant to go out and get it yourself. You need to take a proactive role to learn and get your grades up and study. It's not your teachers job to 'teach' you--It's your job to learn; it's their job to be your resource."
    With the many opportunites at FIDM, Juneau doesn't see design as just Fashion. "Beyond Fashion, design is the root of the school. All of it is design. We're all designers, we just specialize in different ways."

            - Arali

Style Scoop Interview: Clarissa Ramirez

 As an Alumna of FIDM and current FIDM Staff Member, Clarissa Ramirez knows a thing or two about fashion! After a successful career in the footwear industry, Clarissa has returned to FIDM to work as the Promotions Manager for Fashion Club. Learn more about Clarissa's story and her advice for future students!

Major/Grad Year/Campus: Merchandise Product Development Professional Designation, 2001, Los Angeles

Hometown: Victorville, California

Job Title/Description: Promotions Manager, Fashion Club

FC: Were you at all hesitant to work at FIDM since you are a Grad? 
CR: Not at all, I feel very at home here. Someone asked me how I felt about no longer working in the industry when I came to work at FIDM. I don’t see it that way at all. I’m more involved in the industry as a whole working here than I ever have been because FIDM has its hands in all aspects of the industry rather than just one area. 

FC: What are the best parts of your job and why?
CR: My interaction with the high school students who are Fashion Club members is my favorite part of my job. I especially love to see the various Fashion Club contest entries that come in. We run lots of design oriented contests and the student designs that come across my desk are so fabulous! I love being surrounded by young people who are so passionate about fashion.

FC: How do you seek inspiration/motivation?
CR: Through travel, jewelry, and reading. I do all three as often as possible.

FC: What has been a career highlight or challenge so far?
CR: I am borderline obsessed with shoes (isn't everyone?). The highlight of my career was when I became Marketing Manager for the World Shoe Association and ran the marketing operations for The WSA Show, which is a footwear tradeshow, The Collections at WSA (luxury and designer footwear tradeshow), and Materials of WSA (footwear sourcing show) - some of the world's most important footwear and accessories marketplaces. I had the fortune of seeing the shoe and accessory lines from the major designers long before they hit the stores.

FC: What is a typical day like for you at FIDM?
CR: I spend a lot of time talking with students who are interested in starting FIDM Fashion Clubs at their high schools or who have clubs and need my help with something.  I also manage our contests and scholarships, including sorting through the entries and choosing the winners, which is a lot of fun. I work on new promotions and partnerships for Fashion Club and, of course, the usual emails and meetings are sprinkled in.

FC: How did you choose your major?
CR: I have always wanted be a part of the analytical/strategic side of business but could never shake my need to have my hands in the creative as well. When I explained this to my FIDM Advisor, he told me that the Product Development major would give me the best of both worlds.

FC: What were your favorite things about attending FIDM?
CR: Fashion is my favorite art form. I loved being surrounded by people who loved fashion and style the way I did-not just as a hobby, but as a lifestyle and a career. I came to class and was inspired just by seeing what the students around me were wearing.

FC: What are your future goals?
CR: I’d like to become a VP of Marketing one day. The next area of the world I’d like to explore is Asia. And I’d like to learn to speak Spanish fluently.

FC: What advice would you give to future FIDM Students?
CR: Network, network, network!

Style Scoop Interview: Elizabeth Leffler

 

In addition to running the popular Christie's Boutique in San Diego, Merchandise Marketing Alumna Elizabeth Leffler is also a Fashion Blogger for San Diego Magazine! We chatted with Elizabeth about her busy career and how FIDM played a role in her success!

Major/Grad Year/Campus: Merchandise Marketing, Class of 2007, San Diego Campus

Hometown: Collinsville, Illinois

Employer: Christie’s Boutique, a women's shop stocking designers such as Corey Lynn Calter, Hale Bob, Joe's Jeans, and Odd Molly.

Job Title and Description: Boutique Owner and Buyer/Creative Director and Fashion Blogger for San Diego Magazine. 

FC: What are the best parts of your job?
EL: Working one on one with my clients, helping them find the perfect fit for their body type, and seeing the smile on their faces when they love how they look. I also like the buying aspect probably just as much as I love the merchandising of my shop.

FC: Where do you seek inspiration?
EL: I am inspired by confident women and fashionable risk takers like my grandmother, who left me vintage drawings of cocktail dresses from the 1930’s.

FC: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
EL: Opening my boutique with my fiancée, having runway shows in my own store, having repeat and satisfied clients, and being the first Fashion Blogger for San Diego Magazine.

FC: What's a typical day like?
EL: A typical day starts out with a coffee of course! Then it's off to the shop to catch up on emails, receive new inventory for the store, steam it, and re-work the floor to keep it fresh. I change my window displays every other day to keep my customer in the know, even if she cannot pop in the shop.  Most days I have vendors coming into the store to show me new lines.  I am constantly planning events in my store so that is always a daily task: fliers, email blasts, connecting on line with networking groups. I write my blogs and then eat lunch. This is all done while attending to my clients.

FC: How did you find FIDM?
EL: I found FIDM in a magazine. I applied and then did not end up going because the timing was not right. Five years later I moved to San Diego and got in again!

FC: How did you choose your major?
EL: I knew I had no interest in sewing or designing my own line and I loved the business end of fashion so it was easy to decide on Merchandise Marketing.

FC: :What were your favorite things about FIDM?
EL: The staff and the students. I made amazing connections with the staff, who I still keep in contact and work with at times. I had no friends when I moved here and now some of my best friends I met at FIDM.

FC: What are your future goals?
EL: I want to create a stand out brand; one that is recognized and sought after. Until then I will continue to keep on working and building.

FC: What advice would you give to future FIDM Students?
EL: Stay focused on your dream. If you want something bad enough you will find a way to accomplish it. I had so many opportunities that I did not pass up. It really is who you know so never burn any bridges and always be open to learning. I would not be where I am without connections and all of my experiences adding up. FIDM is not easy, but it is well worth all the late night studying and hard work -- it DOES pay off!

Style Scoop Interview: Meg Lewis

We recently caught up with Visual Communications Alumna Meg Lewis, owner of 1918 Vintage, an online boutique selling one-of-a-kind vintage pieces for men and women, as well as handmade clothing and accessories. Read on to learn about Meg's road from FIDM to being a fashion entrepreneur and how she's utilizing the web to run a successful business!

Major/Grad Year/Campus: Visual Communications, Class of 2007, Los Angeles Campus

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Employer: Self-Employed

Job Title: Owner of 1918 Vintage.

FC: What are the best parts about your job?
ML: Every day is different! I set my own hours and make each decision myself. Some days I'm shopping at thrift stores looking for new pieces or I'm doing a photo shoot, and other days I'm designing new graphics for the web site. Another great part of my job is getting to chat and meet people all over the country. Being an owner of an online shop, 60 percent of my customers are international! I've made a lot of exciting contacts and have made a lot of foreign friends.

FC: How do you get inspired?
ML: My main inspiration comes from blogs. I'm definitely a child of the technology era! There are so many great fashion bloggers all over the world that have really interesting posts on current trends, ensemble composition, and new/upcoming designers. This allows me to see what my demographic all over the globe is wearing and wanting.

FC: What have been your career highlights so far?
ML: I just had my one-year anniversary a month ago. It felt great knowing that 1918 has been sustaining itself and growing continuously. When I started 1918 I took a huge leap of faith and didn't know how long it would last. Every time I get a letter or email from a customer thanking me for starting such a great business that's a huge career highlight!

FC: What's your typical day like?
ML: I typically wake up around 8:00 am, make a decaf latte, and read my blogs. I subscribe to 75 blogs so it takes a little while to read all of the new entries. After that I get ready for the day and pack up my orders from the previous day. I include a handwritten thank you note to each customer. I then go to the post office to deliver all of the orders. After this it varies day by day. Today, I'll be visiting a handful of estate sales looking for new vintage pieces, then scheduling a time for one of my models to come over and be photographed for the website. At night I always reply to emails and update my store's Facebook, MySpace, blog, and Twitter.

FC: How did you find FIDM?
ML: I discovered FIDM when I was looking everywhere possible for fashion schools. I visited five different fashion schools in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. None of them compared to the warm welcoming atmosphere FIDM had when I was a prospective student.

FC: How did you select your major?
ML: I chose Visual Communications because it was a design major without fashion design. I love designing but I've never liked sewing. I wanted to style, photograph, and do graphics. Luckily, Visual Communications allows you to do so much in the fashion industry. From styling to space planning to logo design, it's such a versatile major! I wouldn't have my business today without everything I learned in Visual Communications!

FC: What were your favorite things about attending FIDM?
ML: Probably all of the opportunities I got and all of the industry folks I met. While I was at FIDM I took every opportunity to volunteer at events that I could. It allowed me to make so many great contacts. FIDM also got me an amazing internship that taught me more than I could have ever imagined.

FC: What are some of your future goals?
ML: To keep growing 1918 Vintage as much as possible. I would love to make enough profit to give at least 20 percent away to the WWF. My biggest life goal is to travel. Fortunately, owning an online business allows me to move about whenever I want to!

FC: What advice do you have for future FIDM students?
ML: Give it 100 percent. It's tough sometimes to pull an all-nighter and work so many hours on a project, but it'll be worth it! Your instructors will recognize your work ethic and they're such a key aspect in your education. They're actual industry people who have actual contacts. If they think you're a hardworking responsible student they'll help you out!

FIDM from a Guy's Perspective...

           

        Twenty-three year old Fashion Design major (soon to be in the third year Film & TV Costume Design program) Samson Collins showed school dedication when he took the time to sit with me for an interview in between schoolwork and classes. It's about time we heard what FIDM is like from a guy's perspective.
People are all ears when they hear that Collins is no average student, but also a Costume Designer, t-shirt line designer, actor, and an active rugby player.
While studying acting at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo he realized that his love for the entertainment industry was leading him toward a different field--one where he could explore his creativity in a new way. “I got over acting and the people and especially the drama,” said Collins. Although he did leave acting for Costume Design, entertainment is still very much in his bright future. His love for the Renaissance and 18th century-era has inspired his block-printed and block printed, hand-dyed t-shirts.

Samson first started at the FIDM Orange County Campus and loved it because it was as if school was an actual job. “Everyone knew each other and the campus even looks like a more of a business setting and I like that,” he said. After he completed his first year in Orange County, he moved to the Los Angeles campus to finish up his classes. “I like LA, it’s at the center of everything I want to do, but I want to eventually go back to (the OC) and live there and raise my kids there,” said Samson.
            His suggestion to anyone, girl or guy, who wants to attend FIDM is to know that this is really what you want to do. “FIDM is not a school to say, 'umm I think I’m into fashion.' I already know 3-5 people that I started with at Orange County who have peaced-out since I’ve been here.”
Why did he choose FIDM, you ask? “FIDM is the only place that has a specialized program in Costume Design.”
 It is no joke that the program is intense, but Collins wouldn’t expect anything other than that. “There’s a lot of information and the teachers are trying to get you out of there in two years. It was tough in the beginning but now that I know what is expected of me, I’m a little more prepared. Such as when the teacher says do twenty flats and render this and do five sketches and you’re expected to have it done in a week.”
Collins will spend this summer as a Costume Design Assistant and a Costume Designer in various student films at Chapman University. Being one of the few guys at FIDM is insignificant in the scope of everything he looks forward to doing in the future.
           
To view more of his designs check out his website Samsonanddelilahclothing.com.

-Arali

Style Scoop Interview: Genevieve Davis

For our latest Style Scoop Q&A we caught up with Merchandise Product Development Grad Genevieve Davis, who is a Product Developer and Footwear Designer. Read on to follow how Genevieve followed her dream of attending FIDM and went on to find a job that puts a smile on her face everyday.

Major/Grad Year/Campus: Product Development, Class of 2008, Los Angeles Campus

Hometown: Orange County, CA

Current Employer: 3 Dee Int'l

Job Title and Description: Product Developer/Women's Footwear Designer.

FC: What do you like most about your job?
GD: My favorite part about my job is when a shoe I design gets an order and I'm able to see it online or in a store. One of my dreams was always to be able to see a product of my creativity in a store. I also love being able to travel to China. It's such an amazing experience to work in an environment that's so hands on.

FC: Describe a typical day?
GD: A typical day involves fulfilling customer needs, whether it's researching new ideas, trends, sketching, detailing shoes, or correcting prototypes.

FC: How did you find out about FIDM and what made you feel FIDM was right for you?
GD: My father was actually the main superintendent on the construction of the Los Angeles campus when I was four years-old. Once the campus was finished my father took me to the opening fashion show. I still remember to this day being absolutely mesmerized by what I saw. After the show was finished I told my father that I was going to go to FIDM someday! FIDM was always my dream school. There were no other options.

FC: How did you choose your major?
I started FIDM in the Fashion Design Program, but after my 2nd quarter I felt it wasn't right. So, I made the switch to Merchandise Product Development because I wanted to learn how to get the ideas in my head on paper to a tangible object and then to the stores. It ended up being the best decision I've ever made. You can almost do anything with a Merchandise Product Development Degree.

FC: What are some of your top sources of inspiration?
GD: My favorite sources for inspiration are from vintage stores and fashion blogs. Eventually, I will be able to shop Europe, but for the time being my boss takes a million photos for me when he's on his Europe shopping trips and I get a lot of inspiration from those.

FC: What are some of your greatest accomplishments?
GD: First off, graduating from FIDM because it was the first dream I ever had for myself. Second, having my portfolio selected by FIDM staff to be viewed at the Industry Portfolio Event. Then, finding myself a job that I love waking up for every morning.

FC: What was your favorite thing about attending FIDM?
GD: Knowing that the teachers were extremely experienced with the subject they were teaching. It was great knowing that they knew exactly what they were lecturing about it because they had worked or are still working in the industry.

FC: What are some of your goals for the future?
GD: To design the next big "it" shoe!

FC: Anything else you would like to say to aspiring FIDM Students?
Don't give up! It's going to get tough and there will be moments when you think you just can't do it anymore, but it's your dream. Never forget that. Finish what you set out to do. The end result is so rewarding and FIDM is the perfect school to achieve at your highest potential.

Style Scoop Interview: Cameron Stewart for ARK Clothing

We were so intrigued when we read an interview with 19-year old Cameron Stewart that we just had to chat with him ourselves.  The UK native founded ARK - Acts of Random Kindness, a line of shirts that encourages people to perform random acts of selflessness, such as paying for the person behind them at Starbucks, or buying someone a tank of gas.  Here, he keeps it refreshingly real as he talks about his vision for his company, who he'd love to see in an ARK shirt, and even offers me a job! 

Name: Cameron Stewart
City: Belfast, Ireland
Company Name: ARK - Acts of Random Kindness Ltd.
URL: www.arkchangeyourworld.com

FC: When did you start ARK Clothing?
Cameron: It started in my head in August 2007, but I started officially working on the project in August 2008, and the clothing went on sale in December 2008.

FC: Was there a particular incident that sparked the idea?
Cameron: When I was on my Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition, we were bored walking 20k every day so we had nothing better to talk about than starting a business. I was already inspired by the mess of the world and I just wanted to make a difference.  I was inspired by a song by Foy Vance called "Indiscriminate Act of Kindness," by the film Pay It Forward, and by Jesus.  A lot of people think he was all about rules and a boring life, but he was the opposite.  He was the most influential man in history and all he did was acts of kindness every day.  Just imagine what could happen if thousands of people started doing the same?

FC: What's it like owning a business at 18?
Cameron: Well I'm 19 now, but 3 months ago when I was 18 it was cracker.  It's stressful and it requires a lot of sacrifice.  The girlfriend doesn't like it and neither do my mates.  It comes with a lot of sleepless nights but it's definitely worth it.  I'd recommend it to anyone with an idea and vision behind it.

FC: Can you count how many acts of random kindness ARK has performed since you launched?
Cameron: Yes, exactly 7,273 acts of kindness have been performed since we started.  Nah, only joking.  Of course I couldn't count.  An act of kindness is performed every time the ARK label is worn.

FC: What are some acts of kindness ARK has done?
Cameron: Personally, I just live it -- I pay for people behind me as often as I can, pay for petrol pumps, buy Easter eggs in anticipation I'll see a random person I can give it to. As a company, we've paid for hampers, we bought a load of Christmas presents for the homeless shelter in Belfast, we gave out chocolate, buns, and coffee on the streets of Belfast.  There's a load of reports on our website.

FC: What act of random kindness have you committed today?
Cameron: Give me a chance, I'm only just out of bed.  Okay, let me think...I think I'll get my mum a nice bunch of flowers -- she deserves them.

FC: How sweet!  Okay, let's talk fashion.  Who designs the clothing for ARK?
Cameron: Initially, I designed the clothing.  It was simple and slick, just to get the message out.  Now we're looking to get a team of young, enthusiastic volunteer designers.  We want new, fresh designs from the most creative minds in the country.  We have a few people who are interested in helping us out, but anyone who believes in our message is welcome to design for us.

FC: Any plans to expand ARK beyond shirts?
Cameron: Yes. Fancy designing it?

FC: Absolutely! Are there any celebrities you'd love to spot wearing an ARK shirt?
Cameron:Only the ones who carry the message with it.  Ideally, Obama.  That'd be amazing! Give me 3 years and he'll be wearing one.

FC: Last words?
Cameron: If you see yourself fitting in with this vision, give me a shout.  We need designers, we need lawyers...there's nothing we don't need.  Jump on board -- it's going to be an amazing adventure!

I'm sure it is, Cameron!  --Angel