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Racine | Beauty Merchandising Marketing

Jessica | Merchandise Marketing

 

Allison | Fashion Design

 

Meryl | Product Development

Ciara & Becky | Product Development

Avian | Graphic Design

-Candice

Project Runway Screening at The Getty

Who watched Project Runway last night? I did...at The Getty!

The designers' challenge was to create looks inspired by their visit to The Getty. 

So, The Getty invited their Facebook fans to a screening of the episode, followed by a lively informal panel discussion about the influence of architecture on fashion design. Moderated by Brooke Hodge, the panel guests included Marie Claire West Coast Editor Mary Alice Haney and Fashion Designer Jasmin Shokrian.

All five of the Project Runway designers' looks were rolled onto the stage before the panel discussion began. What a surprise!

Haney had just come back from Paris Fashion Week. She said Althea's design could almost be something in a Prada show and Irina's look was very "flowy and very Lanvin-esque."

The discussion broadened and Hodge went on to talk about the structural pieces in the Jil Sander Fall 2009 collection. Raf Simons was influenced by French ceramicist, Pol Chambost. Simons was interested in how the artist used color on the inside. He was influenced by "the lips of the vases and the curves and linear shapes of the vases," Hodge said. "To me there is something very architectural about the clothing in terms of their lines and their volume and their shape and their silhouette."

Photo | Marcio Madeira, style.com

Haney had to run off to a fashion event in Beverly Hills. So we had a great amount of time getting to know LA Fashion Designer Jasmin Shokrian. Hodge introduced Shokrian as "a designer who often cites art and architecture influences."

Shokrian has been working on her brand for the last eight years right here in LA. And lately, she has been experimenting with making fabric. The fabric in the piece below (from her Fall Collection) was structured with different materials including chiffon, muslin mixed with a silk canvas, and a silk charmeuse. There is burlap in the collar and it's covered with chiffon to make it stand architecturally. Shokrian explains that the use of these vastly different materials makes the piece both humble and dressy.

Photo | jasminshokrian.com

Jasmin Shokrian also weighed in on the discussion of structure and architectural influences in fashion. She said she created an entire collection based on the Fibonacci Series. She says that basically it's the idea that "everything you see in nature is somehow mathematically related to architecture." The geometry of it inspired her collection, which included "a lot of strong geometric shapes that protrude about the body."

She says she is greatly influenced by the work of architect Terunobu Fujimori, who she said mainly designs treehouses (photo below). She says this is truly her aesthetic. "There is just something about the shape, the texture, the organic quality and then the artificial. It's surreal."

On another note, Jasmin Shokrian advised that the time limits the designers are given on Project Runway are pretty real. There are deadlines in fashion design that absolutely must be met. So she said being on the show is good training for the fashion business. "It's very fast-paced."

Hodge says it's important to have Project Runway in LA because New York doesn't really take LA seriously in terms of fashion. She says, "Some of the best architecture in the world is in LA, and some of the best art and museums. And we have a lot of great fashion designers." Haney serves on the LA Fashion Week committee and is working on giving the fashion scene more of a presence in LA.

The Getty invited their friends on Facebook to attend, free of charge. They said it is the first of many Facebook invitations to follow.

--Gigi Hooghkirk

FIDM Street Style Daily

Danielle  | Merchandising Marketing

Justin | Apparel Manufacturing

 

Sarah | Fashion Design

Jazmin | Product Development & Kailee | Merchandising Marketing

 

(Juicy Shoes!)
 

(Coach Shoes!)

Chelsea | Product Development

Nae Lee | Fashion Design

-Candice

FIDM Street Style Daily

Hailee | Fashion Design

Skii | Product Development

Danielle | Visual Communications

 

Kahla | Merchandise Marketing

Ashley | Merchandising Marketing

 

Hannah | Fashion Design

 

Ava | International Manufacturing & Product Development

Lasharel | Merchandising Marketing

-Candice

FIDM Street Style Daily

Melissa | Merchandising Marketing

Kim | Merchandising Marketing

Marisse | Product Development

Cortney | Visual Communications

 

Haley | Merchandising Marketing

 

Ji Yon | Visual Communications

 

Sang hee | Visual Communications

 

Rachael | Product Development

 

Lisa | Visual Communications Grad

 

Justin | Fashion Design

 

Heather | Visual Communications

 

Cheyne | Product Development

 

Kyla | International Manufacturing & Product Development

Marlena | Fashion Design

 

McKenzie | Entertainment Set Design & Decorating

Mia | Apparel Manufacturing

 

Stephanie | Product Development

-Candice

FIDM Street Style Daily

Michelle | Product Development

Mark | Merchandising Marketing

 

Ciara & Becky | Product Development

Jimmy | Fashion Design

Nairi | Fashion Design

 

Melanie | Product Development

 

Eriksen | Product Development

-Candice

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: 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

Downtown L.A. Fashion Week: Skingraft

With Downtown L.A. Fashion Week in full swing, Skingraft presented their Spring 2010 line beautifully last night at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. The show opened with a choreographed performance embracing the spirit of the collection. The dancers moved like birds with broken wings and dreams of taking flight. And I mean that in a good way. The dance was full of emotion and strength. The theme of the show was interrupted flight, beginning with a nod to Amelia Earhart.


Photography | Joel W. Henderson

The dancers and models alike were capped with tightly fitting aviator hats.




My favorite piece was this dress with a bustier top reminiscent of an exoskeleton and a full skirt with layers of ruffled leather evoking debutante garb.


The bird on left shoulder added a thoughtful touch.


All of the looks came together in the final dress of the show. 


What would a Skingraft show be without their signature leather-armor look. At last, the bird has spread its wings and is ready to take flight.

For more Skingraft, click here.

--Gigi Hooghkirk

FIDM Designed "Power of Pink" Dresses on eBay to Benefit Breast Cancer!

We told you about the amazing House of Dreams Model Search event that took place On the Park at FIDM Los Angeles. In addition to strutting plus size retailer Torrid's hottest fashions, the seven winners showed off couture creations from FIDM Fashion Design students!

Now you visit eBay and bid on these one-of-a-kind "Power of Pink" dresses. The best part? All proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

View all seven dresses here!