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Career Girl Answers: Fashion Merchandising: 3 Types Of Majors At FIDM

Dear Career Girl:

I'm interested in getting into Fashion Merchandising. What should I do?

Alia

Dear Alia:

Fashion Merchandising sounds like the ultimate fashion gig, doesn't it? At least I think so. But actually, it's a little more complicated than that.

FIDM has three majors that concern "Fashion Merchandising": Merchandise Marketing, Merchandise Product Development, and Visual Communications.

Merchandise Marketing involves the buying and selling of wholesale and retail goods. That could be the career of Buyer, Boutique Owner, Store Manager, Showroom Owner, or Manfacturer's Rep.

Merchandise Product Development involves the developing/creating of fashion products for a target market -- say, developing jeans for toddlers, shirts for young men, dresses for juniors, or sweaters for the "better sportswear" market.

There are a zillion different careers, involving a zillion different skills, within Product Development.

Visual Communications involves making merchandise look appealing in a retail environment or a showroom.

In other words, a line or a store is "merchandised" so that the buyers are attracted to it.

Some who major in Visual Communications become Visual Merchandisers and design and execute store displays and store windows, even museum displays.

Also, a Merchandiser can work in the field going from store to store making sure that a certain brand of clothing she or he works for looks right in the store display the company has designed for their merchandise.

So when you say "Fashion Merchandising," you need to know a little more about what you're interested in doing in your career.There are so many options!

Check out FIDM.edu for more info on these majors, the classes you would take in each one, and the careers you could have after graduating from FIDM.

Meanwhile, it's great to hear that you're interested in fashion -- now all you have to do is narrow down your choices!

--Career Girl

Blake Lively's Bag

You know who the girl is but I bet you're dying to know where she got that yummy bag, right?  That delicious purple confection is the new Bryna Nicole Violet Loyola Satchel designed by FIDM Grad Bryna Nicole Hubbs! 

The bag features braided handle straps, nickel-finished  rivets, and Italian calfskin (hello luxurious!). I'm crazy about the bright color of Blake's bag, but it also comes in a sleek black, which is equally divine. At $539 it's definitely an investment, but one worth making!

Head to LuvCharlie.com to get your hands on this insanely gorgeous bag, or go to BrynaNicole.com to see the entire collection of handbags.  --Angel

RELATED MAJOR: Merchandise Product Development

My Current Fave Jeans Are A Total Bargain

I've finally found a line of jeans I can freely call my faves.

What do I love about them?

• They're dark indigo wash with no whiskering or sanding (though they also come in lighter washes),
• they don't stretch out so much they'd fit two of me, as so many other inexpensive jeans do,
• I love the low rise,
• they have back pockets with pocket flaps,
• They go up to size 15,
• I didn't have to hem them (I bought them in a Short length).

And did I mentions they're only $24.50?

I have jeans for which I paid twice that, and all they do is stretch out within an hour. These jeans really hold their shape.

They're the Rockstar Boot-Cut jean from Wet Seal, of all places, and they come in Short, Regular, and Tall lengths.

My only complaint is that I wish the pockets were higher. They tend to slip down over the thigh! Why pockets on the thigh, I ask?

Thigh pockets are a questionable look on guys, to be sure, but not one girls should imitate, if you ask me.

But until something better -- and equally inexpensive -- comes along, these are my go-to jeans.

I have so many opinions about how jeans (and everything else) should look, I should enroll in FIDM's Merchandise Product Development major. 

Merchandise Product Development leads to a career developing fashion products for an established fashion company to appeal to their target market -- say jeans for the Juniors market, overalls and hoodies for kids, board shorts for guys, workout wear for women, and just about any other fashion product you can think of.

I bet I'd love that career! --Belissa

'Hills' Star Lauren Conrad to Write "L.A. Candy" Series

If being the star of MTV's most successful reality show, The Hills, wasn't enough, FIDM Merchandise Product Development student Lauren Conrad is hitting the headlines in another big way.

Our very own Lauren Conrad recently signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins Publishers to write "a behind-the scenes story of a young girl who moves to L.A. and unexpectedly becomes the star of a reality television show."

Says LC, "I've always loved books I could lose myself in, one's that would transport me to another place, but had characters I could relate to. I'm so excited to have this opportunity to write books like that for other readers."

Dubbed L.A. Candy, the series has no release date, but according to HarperCollins Vice President Elise Howard, "I've never seen a new project generate noise like the instant buzz that swept through our offices around this deal. The Hills and Lauren Conrad are household names among our staff, and their popularity is even higher among the teens who are our readers. We're bracing ourselves for a blockbuster publication."

Way to go, LC!

-- Alaythia

Style Scoop Interview: Brandy Yant

Brandy Yant, who holds FIDM degrees in both Merchandise Product Development and the Advanced Study Program in International Manufacturing & Product Development, not only has her own clothing line, Cross Training Clothing, but she's about to appear on the CBS television show, The Greatest American Dog, with her miniature schnauzer Beacon. We caught up with Brandy, whose motto is, "Dream Big!"

URL: www.BrandyYant.com
Job Title: Owner of Cross Training Clothing
City: Orange County

Tell us more about your career and why you love it: I started my own clothing line, Cross Training Clothing, with all the experience that I gained from attending FIDM. My favorite part of my job is that I do exactly what I went to school to do, which also happens to be what I love the most. I am able to express myself in my line and show others.

Five sites you must visit daily: (Brandy's planning her wedding to fiance Billy, above)
www.BrandyYant.com
www.cbs.com (to see The Greatest American Dog)
www.brides.com
www.southernbride.com
www.theknot.com

Your favorite lifestyle publications(s): InStyle, People Magazine, Elegant Brides

Favorite Designer: Vera Wang right now since I have started to look for a wedding dress.

Who is your style icon and why? Reese Witherspoon tends to always look fabulous on and off the big screen.  Reese is a down-to-earth while remaining elegant and classy is her style. Her outfits are always prim and proper. She always looks mature and refined while at the same time never forgetting she's young and sexy. I love her look.

What is your dream purchase for summer? A wedding dress.

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? Uggs - If it were winter all year long, I could wear Uggs everyday.

If you could own the wardrobe of any film or t.v. character, whose would it be? I absolutely would love to wear one of the 60 gowns that Kirsten Dunst wore in Marie- Antoinette. The costumes in Marie-Antoinette were designed by Milena Canonero and they are breath-taking.

The ultimate accessory is... I would have to say that I am a sucker for earrings. I love to have earrings that match my daily outfits.

Hoodies Get Revved-Up Zipper-Pull Charms

It's a new fashion trend being seen on the streets of New York and Miami, or maybe you've already heard all about it. Hoodies are getting zipper-pull charms that really make a statement. KidRobot.com is featuring Zipits (pictured above), Munny characters, and Things That Hurt collections to hang from your clothes, your keys, or your favorite bag. It's a great way to personalize your outfit.

Related FIDM Major: Merchandise Product Development. --Belissa

L.A. Fashion Week - From FIDM to Fashion Week

Smashbox Studios was loud and bustling on Tuesday, with a melange of L.A. fashionistas, reporters, models, and other industry folk on hand to see stylish creations from some of the city's top designers.  We were there of course to see two of FIDM's finest show off their collections for  Fall 2008 -- FIDM grad Alan Del Rosario with his Bow & Arrow collection, and FIDM Merchandise Product Development student Lauren Conrad with her eponymous line.

It was quite clear that Lauren Conrad's sojourn to Paris had a huge influence on her collection. The MTV darling sent models out in berets tilted perfectly to one side; pouting, ruby red lips; ladylike gloves and clutch purses; and womanly silhouettes, including curve-hugging bustiers and dresses, high-waisted pencil skirts, and cinched waists. We were immediately smitten by the sweetheart neckline of one ballerina-esque, vanilla-colored minidress and the drape of an olive-hued, curve-skimming dress with blouson sleeves and a plunging neckline.

Gregarious FIDM instructor Nick Verreos was on hand to check out fellow FIDM alum Alan Del Rosario's Bow & Arrow collection, which seemed to channel the 1960s with mod-inspired jumpers and shift dresses, brightly colored tights, and big, Brigitte Bardot hair. The entire line was done in shades of black and white with punches of hot pink thrown in, and the mood was playful, with models sporting not one but two fedoras piled atop their bouncing curls. We were taken with nearly everything, particularly little details such as a tiny row of beading hidden on the back of a dress or a strip of shiny leather running down a sleeve. --Angel

Want to learn more about Lauren Conrad's major at FIDM? Click here now!

Project Handbag - Do You Have What it Takes?

Attention all handbag mavens!  Think you've got what it takes to design the accessory that'll have fashionistas like myself clamoring for a chance to own one?  Can you spot the details that make a Mulberry stand out from a Marc Jacobs?  If you love handbags, turn your passion into something tangible and enter Project Handbag, a contest to design the next must-have bag, sponsored by Maurices and Fashion Indie.

Specialty retailer Maurices has partnered with Fashion Indie to sponsor the ultimate search for the next "It" bag, and the winning design will be sold exclusively at Maurices starting in September!  Project Handbag will run from January 7 to February 11, 2008, so you don't have much time!

"Really keep in mind Maurices' target customer," advises Lisa Rhodes, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for the retailer.  "She is a savvy, fashion-conscious gal, twenty-something, living in small towns.  She could be a college student, or starting her first real job, but she is juggling a whole lot of things."

Sketch the hottest, most covet-worthy bag you know how, then go here to submit it!

Good luck!  --Angel

Did you know FIDM has programs to help you become the next "It" handbag designer?  Go here to read how Merchandise Product Development grad Bryna Hubbs started her own line of gorgeous bags, including the handbags pictured here!

RELATED FIDM MAJORS: Merchandise Product Development

Dress Your Virtual World Avatar In Lauren Conrad's New Line

Hit MTV's Virtual Words today and head for the "Virtual Hills," where FIDM Merchandise Product Development Student Lauren Conrad is making a special appearance today. Fans of the show can outfit their Virtual Worlds avatars in the Lauren Conrad Collection--and shop for real clothes designed by The Hills star at the same time. You can check out Lauren Conrad's Fall Preview Collection at www.shoplaurenconrad.com. --Kim

Lauren Conrad Thinks Pink at "Legally Blonde" Premiere

FIDM Student, Fashion Designer, and The Hills star Lauren Conrad and friends looked appropriately girlie for a special MTV taping of the hit musical Legally Blonde. Popsugar has the story and more pix. --Kim

Related FIDM Major: Merchandise Product Development