FashionClub.com Daily

Interview with FIDM Merch Prod Dev Student Mei-Li Thomas

Name: Mei-Li Thomas
Age: 26
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Major: Merchandise Product Development
Grad Year/Campus: 2009/LA

Do you have a style icon? If so, who is it? You know I don't have a consistent one. Right now I would have to say that it is Amber Rose (Kanye West's current girlfriend) Regardless of her personal life choices her fashion choices are bold, a great mix of classic and comfort items, and she is never over accessorized. Her wardrobe choices at last season's Paris Fashion Week were great examples of this.

 

Kanye and Amber Rose

Who/what inspires you the most and why? Traditional garments from other cultures inspire me. I'm a travel junkie and I love to hop on a plane and travel to a new country whenever I can. On a recent trip to Thailand I got a chance to watch the Flower Festival Parade which takes place annually the first week of February in Chiang Mai. What a color-filled country! The different tribes of Northern Thailand created intricate floats of thousands of flowers and they dress in traditional robe and dance and play instruments down the street. It was almost four hours long and I took a ridiculous amount of pictures because of the meticulous detail they put into all they do with embroidery and headdress. I was in awe.

Flower Festival Parade

What is your favorite L.A. spot? The FIDM Library. I know it's a corny answer but as a person who is learning constantly about this industry and how to survive in it, all the resources I need are right at my finger tips. I hear my boss talk everyday about how she wishes she has access to the trend reports that I can see on a daily basis for free. It is the #1 thing I will truly miss about graduating, though we can still use the sourcing books. :-)

The Draping Lab in the FIDM Library

Are you working/interning in addition to writing your blog, if so, for what company and what is your position? Yes I intern for a design house Thrive where I am at the right hand of the head of Product Development. Talk about seeing your major in action! I really wish I had interned with them a lot earlier in my FIDM career. I learn so much about real-world timing in the area of product development there; it's like taking 4 classes at once! They allow me to be as hands on as possible and are there to help me build the skills that FIDM has taught me.

What is your mission for your blog? No Fear, Just DIVA is to show that there is no one right way to have a career in the fashion industry. There's where we are right before we start our journey (Point A) and where we want to end up in our careers, our destination (Point B), but how we all get there is up to the individual (Fashion Freeway - what's getting you from A to B). Right now it's mostly my story and what I'm going through but the goal is to have more interviews from others that have made their way in the industry.

What accomplishments in life, school, etc. are you most proud of? Illustrator! LOL honestly I couldn't draw a lick freehand or otherwise and I have to first give credit to my teacher C. Osuna. Without the confidence to do it freehand and her patience to get me through that I would have never braved subsequent classes. The fact that even I have seen such an improvement in my drawing is a big deal to me and I'm proud of that. So many times at FIDM we spend so much time comparing ourselves to each other when we should really compare our current selves to our first selves and appreciate the growth. It's not about reaching another's level but your own.

How/why did you choose FIDM? What do you expect to gain from your FIDM education? Why? Hmmm I was speaking about this with my mother last week. She says that the man who made my prom dress suggested it, but I didn't think to look into it officially until 2004. I remember none of this, but I knew that I wanted formal training on fashion and textiles but did not want to be a designer. After researching FIDM's Professional Designation options for particular majors, I decided that of the other schools this type of program was best to compliment my degree. Overall I expected to gain a stronger network in the industry, which I have! However my friends back home will tell you I was VERY confident in the fact that since I would not be a Fashion Design major I would not have to sew... couldn't have been more wrong.

Why is your major right for you? Merchandise Product Development is right for me because it is the best complement to my International Business degree. I also think that I couldn't have gone wrong with Apparel Manufacturing Mgmt, actually. But I appreciate the class "Fundamentals of Product Development" giving a shout to S. Spencer who helped me understand what this whole major was really about. In product development we are involved in both the business and the creative. I love that I have the skills to construct but also the degree to lead.

Which FIDM class is your favorite? Principles for Design Development. Two words: ROBIN WAGNER! I remember the first day she walked into class and said "You guys ready to design a clothing line?" I replied with a very loud "NO!" I was so anti "be a fashion designer," but in that class I learned that design is just as much conceptual as it is physical cut and sew, and that I have to use my business smarts in order to create the right product for my target customer. She helped me tap into my creative for this class and that was something I didn't think that I had. This class plus "Fundamentals" helped tie it all together for me. They pushed me to reach for more than what I was capable of especially creatively.

What do you enjoy most about attending FIDM? Experiencing creativity. It doesn't happen as often as I would like but every once in a while and I get to sit back and look at the draping projects in the library and the displays on the 5th floor of the main campus. The displays at the Museum and the wardrobe choices of the students. It's so visual here! When was the last time you sat back and just took in the creativity of it all?

What are your long and short term goals? Long-term, to get my MBA in Strategy and work in Consulting and Brand Management, short-term would be to work on the Asst Designer/Line Developer side to train my eye. A lot like what I'm doing in my internship, but five days a week and getting paid for it.

Any advice for people who might want to attend FIDM? This school is not for the weak at heart. It's long hours, the work is demanding, and totally worth it if this is where you see your career building. There is no one right path to take when obtaining a career in the industry so don't think that you have to come to FIDM knowing exactly what you want to do putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on yourself. A general idea and a good admissions counselor (shout to V Pasquale), will head you in the right direction.

Any final thoughts you want to share? Current students, don't go through your time here in a chiffon fog. Too many times I hear the phrase "I'm so over it" and I think "Then why are you here!" FIDM has some of the best networks, resources, and opportunities to those of us who have little to no experience in the industry. Be proactive in your career. Read the portal, create relationships with your teachers (who do work in the industry, btw!), join clubs. Everything we do here is a step closer to our desired Point B, make it count.

FIDM Street Style Daily

  Today Student Activities hosted a silent auction and candy buffet benefiting the Susan B. Komen Foundation. Students rocked pink for a good cause.

Emi, Heather, and Andrea | Merchandising Marketing

 

Katie | Fashion Design

Andrea | Merchandising Marketing

Casi and Medha | Fashion Design
 

Dyona | Visual Comunications & Kristen | Student Activities

Ribbon Made by Marjaneh | Merchandising Marketing

Carolyn | Visual Communications
(She's also on our Student Council Board!)

Jayna | Merchandise Product Development

Jerilyn | Fashion Design

 

Andrew | Fashion Design

 

 

Lina | Beauty Industry

-Candice

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

FIDM Street Style: Kolya Ouellet

Kolya Ouellet | 21 | Merchandise Product Development

 

What are you wearing?

"I am wearing Machine jeans and a Banana checkered top."

What do you look forward to wearing this fall?

"I look forward to wearing some of the new fall colors like pinks, purples, and blues. And more jewelry by www.jessicaelliot.com"

What do you love most about your major?

"I love it because you deal with a wide range of things; it's a little of everything."

Goals post-FIDM?

"After FIDM I would like to intern somewhere and get an idea of what I want to do."

    ~ Arali

FIDM Street Style: Kate Ko

Kate Ko | 23 | Product Development

What are you wearing?
Vintage skirt, T-shirt from boutique.

Post FIDM Goal(s)?
Work for an international company and get my own line.

Favorite LA Location?
Abbot Kinney in Venice.

    ~ Arali

Style Scoop Interview: Maria Ewing

As the owner and designer of Locketship, Merchandise Product Development alumna Maria Ewing (who does double duty as the face the company) is living her dream. We caught up with the Los Angeles resident to talk about her awesome line, which features motifs such as shells, seahorses, anchors, birds, and rosebuds. Maria also designs bracelets, earrings, rings, and a men's collection as well.

Name: Maria Ewing

Major/Grad Year/Campus:  Merchandise Product Development, Class of 2004, Orange County and L.A. Campus.

Hometown:  Torrance, California

What do you love about running Locketship? I love the creative process. I love being able to envision a piece, gather the necessary materials, and work and create until it comes to fruition. I really enjoy being my own boss as well!

When did you launch and why? Locketship launched in January 2008. It's hard to believe it's been almost two years. I started making custom lockets for my family and friends. The pieces started getting a lot of attention and I started getting requests so I decided to turn it into a business and create a jewelry line. Ultimately, I wanted to make beautiful and memorable pieces for people so they could show off the important things in their lives.

What's a typical day like? My day starts with checking emails and prepping and shipping orders. If there is an item that needs to be made, I start the process of making it. Each locket takes two to three days to create. I make time to work on new designs everyday. I also do the web design for Locketship.com, so I make changes and add items as necessary.

Why did lockets inspire you to launch an entire line?  Lockets were originally intended to hide and protect precious items such as a photo or lock of hair. Now, it's all about showing and displaying what's important to you. Lockets are like scrapbook pages in a smaller form that are turned into a necklace. You can put anything into one and be able to wear it and have it with you at any time. And they make great conversation pieces.

What are some of your favorite pieces? I love each piece I've made, but I do have three favorites. I love the way the Half a Penguin locket looks when someone wears it. It looks like a human head on a penguin body. I also love the Lola Calavera and Betty Calavera necklaces because I sketched the faces of Lola and Betty. Lastly, the Soaring Seas necklace is special to me because it features a photograph I took in Nice, France, on my second honeymoon. I'm reminded of that special time and place every time I see and wear that piece.

How did you discover FIDM? Representatives from FIDM came to my high school and did a presentation in my clothing construction class. Our class was able to go to one of the FIDM fashion shows. It was really inspiring! I attended both the Orange County and LA campuses and now I'm running my own line.

What did you love about it? I loved all of the projects we were assigned to do. Projects at FIDM were never "dreaded school projects." They were fun because they required us to be creative and use our talents. I love working hands on because it's the easiest way for me to learn. I even enjoyed all of the papers that we had to write because they were related to the fashion industry. My favorite project was going to the museum and doing a report for my History of Costume class.

Any lessons you learned at FIDM that you still use today? One thing that has really stuck with me from FIDM is the work ethic. FIDM taught me that making it in the fashion industry and creating unique pieces are a lot of work. It's extremely rewarding work, but you still have to dedicate yourself to it. FIDM prepares you very well for that.

Where do you see the future of Locketship? My goal is to work towards opening a Locketship store. My long-term goal is to have Locketship products in stores nationwide.

What advice would you give to other aspiring jewelry designers? My advice would be to remember that starting a line in the fashion industry is a business. There's a lot of hard work that goes into coming up with ideas, creating pieces, running a website, and taking care of customers. Stay focused and always be prepared because anything can happen or change at anytime. Lastly, I would say: design what you love!

FIDM Street Style

Aracely Diaz | Product Development

What she plans on wearing the first day of classes: 

A skirt with a t-shirt.

~ Arali

Art and Fashion Fusion

Have you noticed the support the fashion industry is giving the art community lately? More and more fashion lines are teaming up with artists and making limited edition runs with their work. It's as if the article is the canvas.

Vans recently collaborated with NYC artist Keren Richter on totes and shoes. Her illustrations are whimsical and edgy, like this one called "Starry Girl."

Illustration | Keren Richter

Tote, $22, Vans, vans.com

Hi-top sneaker, $55, Vans, vans.com

According to the Vans website, "The design gets its roots from her [Keren's] 60's San Francisco youth, inspired by punk shows and skateboarding."

There are so many amazingly talented artists, it's wonderful that companies like Vans have committed to exposing some really great art.

--Gigi Hooghkirk

Fashion With A Cause

Have you heard of The Samburu Project? It's a nonprofit organization working towards providing clean drinking water and community empowerment for the Samburu District in Kenya. Pretty important work. Earlier this year Public Library came out with a line of tees to support the mission. It quickly became a celeb fav and tees have been seen on the likes of Beyonce, Jessica Alba, and Kristen Bell, to name a few.

Now Doe for Torrid is launching the first-ever plus size collection of fashion tees for the cause, available at torrid.com.

The Samburu Project has changed the lives of more than 20,000 men, women, and children since it began drilling its wells in 2006. By forming a partnership with Torrid and Doe, they are broadening their reach to include the plus-size market and increase awareness of this amazing cause.


--Gigi Hooghkirk

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.