Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: DIY Maven Danica Ybanez

Fashion Club has known Danica Ybanez since she was a Fashion Club President at West Ranch High School. She's now a student at FIDM, and does all of FC's amazing DIY videos! We love you, Danica!!

Tell us a little about yourself: During high school I was really engaged in my FIDM Fashion Club and learning more about the fashion industry. I was also making hair accessories that were sold in several boutiques. Currently, I am a second year student at FIDM studying Fashion Design and in my free time I volunteer for magazine launch parties, TV show premiers, and fashion shows. I make the DIY videos for FashionClub.com, which are really exciting to do, mainly getting my inspiration from the feature stories and current trends.  

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: When I was younger, my dad really got me into singing, wanting me to pursue a dream to become a famous singer. I used to take voice lessons and joined my school’s choir.

What inspires you? Anything that triggers a new fun bright idea, particularly old movies (especially ones directed by Alfred Hitchcock), musicals such as Across The Universe, and the Renaissance era.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? All the fun people I get to work with and the friends I have made on the team! And especially the fun projects I get to do for Fashion Club!

What is your favorite FC article or section? I love checking out Fashion & Beauty and also Your FC. There are so many things you can learn from, mixing up your outfits while staying on trend, do it yourself projects, and getting to see all the fun photo shoots!

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: Instead of buying those expensive makeup removers, simply put some lotion on a cotton pad or q-tip to get rid of it all. Also I just recently started this beauty trick, I cut a beetroot in half and I use that as a lip stain, which lasts almost the entire day!

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? I would love to be Coco Chanel or even Alexander McQueen. They both have a bold aesthetic, which influenced fashion history forever, leading us to new inspirations and discoveries for our future fashions to come, which I really hope to do, as well!

Don't miss Danica's DIY video this month: how to make a Peter Pan collar!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Digital Media Intern Devonte Glover

Devonte is currently in the Digital Media program at FIDM, and we are super lucky to have him as our awesome intern. The first video he made for Fashion Club now has over 10,000 views on YouTube! Check out the video—it's all about fall fashion trends.

Tell us a little about yourself: My name is Devonte Glover. I developed a passion for photography in high school, and I wanted to learn more about photography and videography, so I decided to study Digital Media here at FIDM. Since I have been in the program I have also developed a love for video editing. My career goals are to become an art director for both production and post production.

Tell us what you do for Fashion Club: I am the Digital Media Intern for Fashion Club. My job consists of videography, editing, motion graphics, and audio design.

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: I have worked for both international and grammy award winning recording artist.

What inspires you? My inspiration mainly comes from music. I take inspiration from various genres of music such as gospel, country, and r&b. I also draw inspiration from experiences I have had in my life and I portray them in my art.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? My favorite part about working with Fashion Club is actually going on set and shooting. I love meeting new people so I am always excited to meet the models, stylists, and makeup artists. My ultimate favorite part is the food! We have some of the best food on set.

What is your favorite FC article or section? My favorite article would have to be the back-to-school article, because it was my first video I worked on for Fashion Club that I did every component for the video. It was a very memorable experience for two reasons: first, because the video reached over 8,000 views with in the first few days, and secondly because it was one of the first videos I have created that I was truly proud of.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: I pick out clothes that define my crazy personality.

If you could be anyone in the history of fashion, graphics, interiors, or digital media, who would it be? Tyler Perry because I look up to him as a mentor because of his innovative style of creating films.

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Web Developer Elizabeth Koopman

Elizabeth is our resident techie. She's not only the web developer for FashionClub.com, but she's an essential part of the FIDM team, too. With a background as a Hollywood TV producer, we are so happy to have her on the FC team. I mean, c'mon—how cool is that!

Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a former television producer who worked for several production companies and studios such as Paramount Pictures, NBC, MTV, E!, E! International, FOX, and Fremantle North America. I love discovering new books and music. I’m constantly hunting for new bookstores and am reading non-stop, which means I’ve always got my Nook shoved in my face. Finding small and/or free concerts is also a fun pastime for me. I cannot tell you all the bands I’ve seen for free that you now have to pay a good amount to see. And at those free shows, you usually get to meet (and sometimes hang out with) the band! I’m also a new dog mama and recently rescued a Shih Tzu named Spumoni whom I took to an LA Dodgers game for the SPCA fundraiser, Bark at the Park.

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: I secretly love filling out long forms like college applications—but not online, only paper versions.

What inspires you? Books, music, art, nature—almost anything can spark an idea for me.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? It’s a tie. I love the Fashion Club team meetings when we decide on our monthly themes and fashion shoots. I also love when we get to meet Fashion Club members at the annual DEBUT Pre-Party, and when they become students at FIDM. It's nice putting a personality to the photos I post online

What is your favorite FC article or section? Luxe List. I love seeing what items the team has researched for that month’s theme and adding them to my personal wish list.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: Find someone whose fashion sense you trust and consult him or her when having a fashion problem. I’m constantly texting photos of possible outfits to a few of my friends.

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Armani or Coco Chanel.

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Promotions Assistant Talia Tonti

A Pittsburgh native, Talia came to Fashion Club after working for two FIDM Grads! BTW, she loves the spiked boots trend!

Tell us a little about yourself: I live in Hollywood, so I am always seeing someone or something crazy! I am from Pittsburgh, and moved to Los Angeles three years ago. I am obsessed with my cat. I have too many pairs of spiked shoes. I used to work for FIDM Grads at a cute little boutique in the heart of Hollywood!

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: I was supposed to be named Gina, but when I was born, my dad (without my mother's knowledge) named me Talia. He was obsessed with the Rocky movies at the time and decided I should be named after the actress who played Adrienne—Talia Shire! :)

What inspires you? Fashion Bloggers, FIDM Students, my favorite TV shows (especially Gossip Girl), and my best friend Brittney, a MAC makeup artist with killer style. I am always stealing her ideas!

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? My favorite thing is interacting with all of the high school FIDM Fashion Clubs! I get to talk with so many awesome students who are doing amazing things in their schools, such as putting on fashion shows and doing charity work! I get to chat with so many interesting people on a daily basis.

What is your favorite FC article or section and why? I love the Street Style photos! It is fun to see what all of the FIDM Students are wearing. Their creativity influences my own style.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: Dry shampoo! I use it all the time when I am running late or too lazy to do my hair! My favorite brand is Oscar Blandi that can be purchased at Sephora!

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Alexander McQueen. I am obsessed with his clutches with the skull clasps!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Social Media Marketing Manager Larry Del Santo

If you want to know about social media, Larry's your guy! He manages Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and more for Fashion Club and FIDM!

Tell us a little about yourself: I love social media! It is all I do, all day, every day. From reading up about social media on Mashable.com to learning new things from my favorite news sources, celebrities, and brands on Twitter, I'm always busy. I feel like there isn't enough time in the day to read up and learn about what I can be doing when it comes to social media for Fashion Club! Before working with FIDM and FashionClub, I worked in San Francisco as a Marketing Manager for an amazing chocolate company called TCHO. It was tough working there because I had to eat chocolate every day! (Not really, I just got a few cavities because of it! ;)

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: Whales are my favorite animals. I have always loved humpback whales, and as a young child I wrote an unofficial children's book about Humphrey the humpback whale.

What inspires you? A lot of things inspire me, but at the moment seeing all the amazing and creative things that FIDM Students come up with and do every day is astonishing! It makes me want to go to FIDM and learn how to be creative and think outside of the box.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? I like that I am the only guy involved with Fashion Club, and I don't have a problem bringing my perspective and ideas in meetings! It's an amazing website, and I am blown away at how well done our photo and video shoots are. I also love seeing what our designer Alexis Chong can come up with in a very short period of time. She's ridiculously talented!

What is your favorite FC article or section? I have to say that I am a pretty big Glee fan, so our Glee prom shoot and series this past year is my favorite so far. Chriselle Lim was amazing to work with, and she hit the inspired looks from Glee characters spot on!

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: I'm Italian, and tan very easily, but it's always important to wear sunscreen when out in the sun! No matter what, you should always wear it. I also like keeping my hair short so I don't have to do anything with it!

If you could be any fashion designer in history who would it be? I would have to say Ralph Lauren. Hands down the men's Polo line is absolutely amazing, and it always has that classic and preppy look and feel to it, ever since the beginning. Seeing that little polo horse makes me happy!

Check back Friday for another story from the team behind Fashion Club!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: FC Manager Clarissa Ramirez-Hamm

Clarissa studied Merchandise Product Development at FIDM before going to work at WSA (World Shoe Association). She now handles all FC promotions and events, including contests! Not only that, she's runs FIDM's High School Fashion Club program, not to mention our biggest event of the year—the DEBUT Pre-Party!

Tell us a little about yourself: My first job was as a hostess at Denny's because it was across the street from my college dorm room. When I was at FIDM, I worked for Junk Food Clothing. I also traveled around the country doing marketing and promotions for the motorcycle industry. After college I was the Marketing Manager for the World Shoe Association (a footwear trade show).

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: I know how to sand drywall without ruining my manicure and I have my own drill (it's pink, of course).

What inspires you? I love travel and architecture (especially Gothic and Baroque structures). I enjoy reading great books as well as fashion and interior design magazines. I shop at flea markets, antique shops, and thrift stores because I love the thrill of a treasure hunt. I am also pretty much obsessed with things that sparkle, especially chandeliers and all types of jewelry.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? I love picking out the prizes for the contests, because it's fun "shopping" during work!

What is your favorite FC article or section? I can't get enough of the Featured Member section. I love to highlight all the fun and philanthropic activities that our FIDM Fashion Clubs are doing around the country.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: I love a great manicure. My secret to a long lasting manicure is always make sure to paint the edges of the tips of your nail with clear polish to prevent chipping.

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Gabrielle Chanel. She lived in Paris during the Belle Epoque when the corset dominated the course of womens fashion. Chanel created designs that changed the way women related to fashion. She made garments that were more relaxed, functional, and comfortable for women to wear. Plus, she was big on accessories and so am I!

Check back soon for more stories from the team behind Fashion Club!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Fashion Editor Gigi Hooghkirk

Gigi was an editor at Teen Magazine before she came to Fashion Club as the Fashion Editor—talk about a fashion veteran! Fun Fact: She upcycles vintage sweaters into handmade scarves that have been worn by Zac Efron, Miley Cyrus, and Emma Roberts!

Tell us a little about yourself: I was most recently the Associate Editor of Teen Magazine, where I wore many hats—fashion stylist, writer, and accessories editor! I’ve always worked in education and writing, and I’ve always adored fashion. In high school, I kept a fashion diary where I recorded the details of each outfit, daily. I earned a degree in English Literature at UCLA with the goal to read and write as a career, and I’m so fortunate to work at FIDM now as a writer. I love what I do.

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: My grandfather once met Mark Twain.

What inspires you? So many things! The ocean, trees, design, good people, a clear night sky (especially in the desert), a roomful of books, creativity, classical music, the scent of something baking in the oven, the laughter of children, and the memory of my mother’s smile.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? The energy of the Fashion Club members. I have the privilege of writing about the creative ventures of the clubs, including their fashion runway shows. Interviewing people who are passionate about life and have the courage to pursue their dreams is a supreme joy of mine.

What is your favorite FC article or section? I love writing about fashion trends for the Feature Story and Trend Alert. Every season, there is something new and exciting going on. It’s so much fun to research the latest collections of the top fashion designers. I’m also a huge people person, so I’m equally attached to the interviews on FashionClub.com: Featured FC Member, Just Accepted, Student News, and Alumni Stories! Their lives are so inspiring.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: I find that all you really need is foundation, mascara, and a good lipstick, and you’re all set. Currently, I’m into La Prairie Foundation with SPF 15, Maybelline Great Lash Mascara (you know—the pink and green one!), and Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick in Rouge Orage.

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Coco Chanel. She introduced the Breton stripe to the fashion world. What’s not to love?!

Check back soon for more stories from the team behind Fashion Club!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Web Designer Alexis Chong

As soon as we met Alexis, we immediately snapped her up! A recent art school grad who majored in Graphic Design, she's now part of our team as Web Designer, FIDM Street Style Photographer, Pinterest expert, and go-to graphics gal!

Tell us a little about yourself: I am a Pacific Northwest native and a self-proclaimed rockstar with a penchant for bright pink color schemes, LUSH Cosmetics, The Big Bang Theory, and peanut butter chocolate cupcakes. My parents have always known I was meant to be in a creative field. I used to sell my handmade jewelry at craft fairs beside my mom, and constantly hounded my dad to show me how to draw things—though I did have this delusion that I wanted to be a marine biologist until I was 16 and took my first graphic/web design course. I recently got my BFA from Art Center College of Design in 2011, where I worked as a TA in the 3D laser/rapid prototyping lab on campus, which sounds super impressive, doesn't it! My design background is in print and packaging, and I interned at Mattel for a summer, working on the fang-tastic packaging of the Monster High fashion dolls, Abby Bominable and Spectra Vondergeist! I guess you can say I was meant to be in fashion in one way or another :) so my skills and design aesthetic were transferable to designing articles and materials for FashionClub.com!

What's an Alexis fun fact? I'm obsessed with collecting pop tabs off of soda cans. I can not clean without finding at least two in a nook or cranny somewhere; it's become a compulsion! I started collecting them in high school when I decided to make necklaces and bracelets, then it escalated into a functional messenger bag (which served well to carry my books), then a tote that displayed the word "RECYCLE" in colored tabs, and for my Art Center grad show, I made a dress!  

What inspires you? Honestly, I get most of my inspiration for my personal artwork from quiet times, when my cell phone is off, my computer is shut down, and I just have time to think and be aware of what's happening around me—this most often happens when I am driving, of all things! Also, I could write a list of 1,000 things that inspire me for FC, but here are just some that inspire me on a day-to-day basis: illustrations on makeup packaging, especially from Benefit Cosmetics and Urban Decay; receiving a handmade calligraphy invitation in the mail; seeing brightly colored textiles that I covet; watercolor paintings; and customized Vans!

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? I get to be a jack of all trades. In the past year that I've been on the FC team, I've had my hands on so many different projects! I've designed web articles and print materials for FC, photographed for FIDM Street Style (on a side note: if you're a FIDM Student in an awesome trendsetting outfit, be prepared for me to come up to you, camera in hand!) and behind-the-scenes at the FC photoshoots, as well as been in front of the camera as a model for one of our photoshoots. I was Rachel for our Glee-inspired prom! I was also dubbed the "Pinterest expert" while we were planning our summer contest.

What is your favorite FC section? I LOVE the quiz section! I can't wait to see what Gigi has come up with every month, so that when we're testing out the links for the live site, I can stealthily find my favorite style decade.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: In order to make your eyeliner the most intense color possible, roll it through a lighter flame for 1 to 2 seconds—I'm serious! It'll be smoother and smudgeable after it hardens, just make sure to wait a couple seconds before applying.

If you could be any designer, who would it be? Tarina Tarantino. I think it's the pink hair, or maybe the fact that she has some of the cutest jewelry I've ever seen. I aspire to have her tenacity and drive in turning her creative passion into a business empire!

Check back soon for more stories from the team behind Fashion Club!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Senior Web Designer Marianne Leoncio

Marianne graduated from FIDM with a degree in Graphic Design, and started as a work-study intern on Fashion Club in 2004. She’s been with us ever since. Score! She also art directs our fashion photo shoots!

Tell us a little about yourself: I started working as soon as I turned 15. I've had various jobs ranging from a Production Assistant at Kinkos to a Manager at a Swimsuit Store. My best job by far was interning here at FIDM. I learned so much as an intern. My mentors taught me everything from photography to coding HTML. My experience as an intern gave me a playground to determine my career direction. I graduated with a Graphic Design degree from FIDM, but through my internship fell in love with Web Design. Now I've been working on the FashionClub.com site for eight years! Time flies when you're having fun! :)

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: Marianne's Fun Fact #682: I was briefly on an episode of MTV's TRL with Carson Daly. I had to introduce a video on their top 10 list. Looking back at it now, it was pretty embarrassing!

What inspires you? Everything inspires me! It could be the colors of a beautiful sunset or the latest Marc Jacobs collection. I could be taking a walk or browsing through my favorite fashion magazine. For me, inspiration comes in different forms. It's when you least expect it that you'll find it. I think that's what I love most about my job. Those "AaHa!" inspiration moments, where your vision meets creation. As a designer, it's a wonderful feeling.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? Working with the most supportive and talented team. Everyone on our team has a voice and embraces each others strengths. Our monthly Starbucks brainstorm meetings usually start off with laughter and end in the same way.

What is your favorite FC article or section? My favorite section is FIDM Street Style. Alexis does a great job chasing down the latest trends from FIDM Students. I get so many fashion ideas from that section alone!

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: At the beginning of every season I create a dream list of key fashion items I would like to purchase. This helps me to do less impulse buying. I am a sucker for a good sale, but what usually ends up happening is I end up with something I don't really want or need. By having a pre-set list, I end up with staple pieces that can last me a few seasons. Some of the items on my spring/summer 2012 list include a lucite clutch and anything leopard.

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She may not have been a fashion designer, but she definitely was a fashion icon. Her timeless style and sophistication has carried on through years. From A-line dresses to her signature large round sunglasses, I loved her style!

Check back soon for more stories from the team behind Fashion Club!

Meet the Team Behind Fashion Club: Content Director Kim Askew

A writer through and through, Kim is the Content Director for all of FIDM, including Fashion Club! She is constantly writing and editing. Plus, she coordinates the student bloggers. Fun Fact: Her literary background inspired our upcoming back to school shoot! And guess what—she's publishing a series of books soon!!

Tell us a little about yourself: I worked in academic publishing, then digital marketing and advertising before coming to FIDM. Currently, when I'm not at FIDM, I'm working on my Master's degree in English Literature and co-writing a series of contemporary teen novels inspired by Shakespeare's plays.

Tell us a fun fact about you that not many people know: I once lived half a block from where the Beatles shot their famous Abbey Road album cover in London.

What inspires you? 17th and 18th century portraits, literature, travel, Masterpiece Theatre, lectures, great architecture, San Francisco, and the talent and kindness of my friends.

What is your favorite thing about working on Fashion Club? I love brainstorming with my colleagues—they're so smart and creative.

What is your favorite FC section? The Feature Articles because the photo shoots are just so fantastic.

Share your secret fashion or beauty trick: I use a cheap and chic beauty scrub once a week that really works and keeps my skin glowing—Queen Helene Oatmeal 'n Honey Facial Scrub.

If you could be any fashion designer in history, who would it be? Rose Bertin, dressmaker to Marie Antoinette

Check back soon for more stories from the team behind Fashion Club!