Last week, the Fashion Club team took a field trip down to Irvine, CA where we toured FIDM's glamourous (and highly colorful) OC campus, hung out with Student Activities, and caputured some fabulous street style!
Brianna C. | Visual Communications
Chelsea G. | Visual Communications
Aian V. | Merchandise Marketing
Destiny M. | Visual Communications
Mei M. | Merchandise Product Development
Want to know what it's like to be a student at FIDM? Now's your chance!
The Orange County and San Diego campuses invite you to their Open House tomorrow (Saturday, April 27th). Tour the campus, view student work, learn about FIDM's 20 creative majors, meet successful alumni, and get helpful information on scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
Plus, if you can make it to the Orange County Open House, you'll have the opportunity to meet red carpet fashion expert, Project Runway star, and FIDM Instructor Nick Verreos.
And be sure to watch the amazing Orange County campus fly-through tour video from FIDM Productions below.
Full Name: Bryan Joseph Morales
Age: 17 years old
Hometown: Cerritos, California
Year in School: Senior at San Juan Hills HS
FIDM Major: Apparel Industry Management
Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012
Admissions Advisor: Joleen Harris
Tell us a bit about yourself. I've always taken pride in the way that I dress as it expresses who I am. I've been dressing myself ever since I transferred from a private to a public school in third grade. My elementary school classmates would tell you I wore nothing but NBA jerseys and Dragon Ball Z t-shirts. I began to stray away from the cartoon t-shirts around the age of 12, and by the seventh grade, streetwear was all I knew.
I'm an avid fan of Diamond Supply Co. and have been supporting their line for years. I aspire to own a line as successful as the owner, Nick Tershay, one day. As far as my style, hip-hop has easily had the most significant impact on what I wear. I have always appreciated the styles of Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and many other music artists. My love for hip-hop has not only altered my perspective on many things growing up, it has played a large role in shaping my wardrobe throughout the years.
Basketball is something I have always loved as well. I have not stopped playing organized basketball since the age of seven, and I am currently playing AAU. With my love for basketball as well as clothing, it only makes sense that I'm the type that will drool over a pair of sneakers. I have a huge appreciation for Air Jordans because of how much I love the game of basketball and the history behind each sneaker.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Making the decision to study at fashion schools in order to pursue my dream career is something I am very proud of. Along with making the decision, I'm proud of the person I am growing up to be. I have matured a lot since my passion for clothing first began. Being mentioned on tournament websites and on scouting reports for basketball throughout my AAU career is something I am very proud of as well.
What made FIDM right for you? The Apparel Industry Management Program is the perfect major for giving me the tools that I need to reach my career goals.
Describe your entrance project. I had trouble finding inspiration until about a week before my appointment when a song lyric hit me. I immediately started sketching and it led me to create a 10-page black and red booklet. My essay was on the first two pages followed by outfits of my clothing line, which I had sketched. My clothing targeted the young hip-hop and skateboarding cultures.
On the back of every page in the booklet, I taped the album artwork of artists such as Kanye West, Curren$y, Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, and many more. The reason for the album art was because many of the artists' lyrics and styles inspired my sketches.
What are your career goals? I want to create a line that caters to the hip-hop and skateboarding community. I hope to fulfill my dream of owning a store in Los Angeles. I long for the day when music artists, skaters, actors, actresses, and athletes come in to my store to shop. Expanding my clothing internationally is a goal of mine as well. To open up stores in countries across the world is something I have dreamed of for quite a while. But for the most part, I want my clothing line to be successful enough to give back to my entire family.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn the skills needed to efficiently manage a clothing company. I want to learn everything there is to know about successfully managing and producing my line. I can't explain how much I am looking forward to the education FIDM will provide me with.
Full Name: Caitlan Szabo
Age: 19
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Year in School or Previous College History: Some Community College
FIDM Major: Visual Communications
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012
Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope
Tell us a bit about yourself. Among other things, I love fashion and I love to shop. I am blessed to have landed a job at Nordstrom where I get to surround myself with things I enjoy, as well as helping others feel beautiful. It’s very rewarding.
My Nordstrom carreer has lead me to the realization that I want to spend the majority of my life doing something that I enjoy. I'm in love with the fashion industry and making a difference in people’s lives. My inspiration at this time in my life is Rachel Zoe. She is an amazingly talented, strong woman and I aspire to be like her.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am proud of the woman I have grown up to be. I have a good head on my shoulders and have surrounded myself with people who have integrity and authenticity. I’m proud of the way I carried myself through this journey which has lead me to FIDM and pursuing a career in fashion design.
What made FIDM right for you? The atmosphere at FIDM caught my eye. After touring and meeting people at FIDM, I got an immediate "at-home" feeling. I fit right in with the other students and that’s an amazing feeling. FIDM has so many more things to offer me than your standard fashion schools; it feels like "the sky’s the limit" here. I’m inspired, hopeful, and excited!
Describe your entrance project. My favorite outfit was the inspiration for my three entrance projects. I used it as my overall theme. I created a little boutique that was reflective of my personal style by using circles, triangles, and squares; I made a Jeffrey Campbell "Lita." I wanted to use acutal objects as those shapes so I used flowers for the circles, cutouts of lace triangles, and mosaic tiles for squares.
For my window display I kept it simple. I had a wooden design in the background and three models wearing bohemian-inspired clothing to portray what would be inside. The interior display of my store was a boutique so it was very clean and didn’t incorporate too many pieces that would overwhelm the client. Throughout my three projects I used coordinating colors and designs. I used real leather and denim to give texture.
What are your career goals? I plan to become a personal stylist! Styling is my passion and I love creating looks for people and being the one to make them feel amazing in whatever they wear. If given the opportunity, event planning is also an interest of mine.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I want to really learn the way of the business and the lifestyle of being in this industry. I am excited to be hands-on and be working on my major right off the bat -- I can’t wait to explore all the aspects of the Visual Communications major.
Name: Lauren Bowyer
Age: 16 years old
Hometown: Aliso Viejo, CA
Year in School: Junior at Aliso Niguel High School
Major: Visual Communications
Campus and Start Date: Orange County in 2013
Admissions Advisor: Susan Pope
Tell us about yourself. In August of 2010, I suddenly found out I had Type 1 Diabetes. I was in the ICU for three days. Prior to my diagnosis, I suffered from depression because of all the changes I went through. I have made my medical complications part of my daily routine and am coping with my disease. My story is unique because I have turned my life around in a positive way. My aunt went to FIDM and I am looking forward to following in her footsteps!
What is your proudest accomplishment so far? Getting into the Fashion Institute as a junior and overcoming my fear of needles and dealing with my diabetes.
What made FIDM right for you? FIDM is right for me because it is a school that will allow me to express my creativity and continue my love for fashion!
Describe your entrance projects. I painted an English flag and decorated it with circle and square shaped studs for the circle, square, and triangle one. I made a beach themed boutique for the window display project and made a black and white themed interior design for the last project, which had Damask wallpaper.
What is your career goal? To be a successful fashion stylist.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn ways to succeed in the fashion industry and how to achieve my goal of being a fashion stylist.
Full Name: Elizabeth Janet Jabs
Age: 17
Hometown: Chino Hills, California
FIDM Major: Interior Design
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Fall 2012
Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers
Tell us a bit about yourself. I love talking to people and being social, my friends would say I’m very lively and amusing. I love to make things my own (like my rooms); I am always moving things around and changing the color scheme. I love to sing. I was in choir for two years at my high school. I also enjoy camping with my family and riding our quads and dirt bikes in the desert. I am a very cheerful person all the time and I love to make people laugh.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Being accepted to FIDM's Interior Design College program was definitely my biggest accomplishment so far. I was given the award for "Best Makeup, Hair and Costuming" when I did the hair, makeup, and costuming for the play, West Side Story, at my high school. I also was accepted into advanced choir in high school and got to go on tour to Colorado! Another one of my accomplishments is when I was able to ride my dads 700 Kawasaki quad and finally got used to it and I could keep up with all the boys.
What made FIDM right for you? Both of my parents are Alumni from FIDM so I was automatically interested from all of their comments on how amazing the school is. But as I researched the school, I found out that it has so much to offer to me and has all that I need to be successful. When I took a tour of the Orange County campus I was astounded at the complexity and how different the campus was. I knew as soon as I set foot in the doorway that it was the school for me. Looking at the classrooms, the libraries and everyone at FIDM who wants to help you succeed, I was so excited to learn more and start my career in interior design.
Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was to make a color board of a family room or den, when i think of a family room i think of neutral, warm colors, but I wanted to go out of the ordinary. I put white, black and bright turquoise in the room to make it pop. I was inspired by my favorite movie "Breakfast at Tiffanys." I wish it was a real room!
What are your career goals? After graduating from interior design college, I want to get my LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) certificate to learn more about the green initiatives and be able to furnish and complete interiors while still being environmentally conscious. I aspire to work at a design firm and make beautiful and functional interiors for all different kinds of spaces.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn all about everything that goes into interior design, not just the pretty or fluffy fabrics. I want to learn how to professionally draw a floor plan if the AutoCAD is down. I want to be able to make spaces that are not only beautiful, but also functional.
Find Elizabeth on Twitter @lizzy_janet
Name: Rachelle Pons
Age: 17
Hometown: Buena Park, CA
FIDM Major: Beauty Industry Merchandising & Marketing
FIDM Campus and Start Date: OC Campus, July 2012
Admissions Advisor: Shirley McDonald
Tell us a bit about yourself. I love to go to Disneyland and be with my friends. I love to watch 80s movies and find new things to do. I love driving around and just having a good time. I love meeting new people and being with people. I am dedicated to my passion for beauty and love for fashion.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Getting into FIDM because I am finally be able to make my dreams come true with the best school available for me.
What made FIDM right for you? I was able to be myself and felt comfortable knowing that how my passion for beauty and marketing was perfectly would fit perfectly at the Fashion Institute. It had everything I loved about school all wrapped into one A.A. Degree. I knew it was for me when I finally was excited to come to school and be excited to learn about everything that pertains to my future.
Describe your entrance project. I was given a choice if either making a perfume bottle or makeup product. I decided to create a Chanel perfume bottle collection, containing three different shapes and sizes. They were painted white with black lace and black diamond top. The box was black with white lace and Chanel symbols on the sides. The title, Raw, was written in red while the other standard information on the top of the box was in black.
What are your career goals? I would love to work for Chanel or any other high-end brand, work as much as I can with others, and attend New York Fashion Week to supply and promote my company. I would eventually like to create my own line of makeup and perfume, as well as work with others in creating and inventing new ideas for the perfume and makeup worlds.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn everything and more for my path into the beauty industry. I hope to strengthen my weaknesses and improve my strengths to be the best at what I want to do. I expect to learn how the business really works rather then how it's supposed to work.
Full Name: Kailee Hardy
Age: 17
Hometown: Placentia, CA
FIDM Major: Merchandise Marketing
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Summer 2012
Admissions Advisor: Tina Takahashi
Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a very enthusiastic individual who loves to laugh, loves to dance, and really loves to shop. I am also a self-described perfectionist who has big dreams and I am set to achieve all of them. I enjoy volunteering with various organizations within my community, as well as competing in pageants. Who knows, I could possibly be a future Miss America! Which also happens to be, just one of my many goals.
At the young age of 17, I am proud to say that I already co-own a business with my mom. The Dress Exchange is a prom and pageant consignment boutique located in Yorba Linda, California. We carry formal and casual dresses, bling jewelry, accesories, shoes, and much more!
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am very proud of the fact that I was able to finish my high school academic requirements early so I could focus on other areas of my life. I was a student in an independent study program and am very thankful that I was given the option of finishing early. This allowed me to get a head start on my career and is giving me a little break before I start at FIDM this summer.
What made FIDM right for you? Ever since my freshman year of high school, I knew that I was going to have a career in an industry that expressed creativity. I excelled in my art classes and instantly found my niche. I love that FIDM not only has a pretty pink interior, but that they are so accepting of your background and understand that the fashion industry is for anyone who has an eye for it. Another quality that sets FIDM apart from any other school is that there is nothing else like it! It really is the Harvard of fashion and is a perfect fit for me!
Describe your entrance project. For my entrance project I was asked to create five different looks for a store that fit a certain demographic. I did a little trend prediction and based this project off of what I think I would personally wear when I become a fashion student, living and working in a fast-paced environment. My fully accessorized outfits were inspired by the glamorous, independent, and free-spirited people that thrive in the big city.
What are your career goals? My ultimate goal is to become a fashion buyer. Although I am very interested in styling and being a personal wardrobe shopper for women, becoming a buyer for a well-known store and traveling the world is what I really want to do with my life. And after getting a little taste of what a career in fashion buying would be like from choosing dresses to feature in my own store, I honestly can't wait to be able to say that I get paid to go shopping everyday!
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I am extremely excited to learn more about the merchandising side of my major, what it really takes to make it in the world of fashion, as well as all to gain more insight into my dream career in order to become successful. Being able to learn from teachers who are active in the industry is another one of the great advantages that FIDM gives its students.
Full Name: Erika Kelly
Age: 17
Hometown: Anaheim, California
Year in School: Senior
FIDM Major: Graphic Design
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Summer 2012.
Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman
Tell us a bit about yourself. I'm shy at first when I meet people. However, when I get comfortable around people, I tend to act like the hyper person I really am.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Right now my proudest accomplishment is getting into FIDM. I was nervous throughout my interview, because I kept wondering, "What if I don't get in?" My mind was blown away when the director told me I was accepted into FIDM. I also recently created a logo for activities and events at my church.
What made FIDM right for you? The welcoming atmosphere at FIDM is what made FIDM right for me. I enjoy working in a place where I feel welcome instead of intimidated.
Describe your entrance project. My entrance project was creating a magazine cover, magazine ad, and a logo for a company. I picked a YouTube channel called Tobuscus as my company. I didn't know a thing about making magazines, but I got the job done and it turn out really well. I personally love the logo I made for the project. It has the right shade of red and black that made it stand out.
What are your career goals? I will never give up on my dream of working in Graphic Design and hope to have my own design agency in the future.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect FIDM to help me get out of my shell and help me speak in front of a large crowd. I also expect to learn how to improve my skills with Photoshop and drawing designs.
Full Name: Brianna Myers
Age: 17
Hometown: Victorville
Year in School: Senior
FIDM Major: Merchandise Product Development
FIDM Campus and Start Date: Orange County, Summer 2012
Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman
Tell us a bit about yourself. I am a bit of a quirky girl. I enjoy combining things that normally don’t belong together and trying to make them work. I have a “never say die” attitude mixed with a bit of a “que sera sera” attitude. I enjoy nature and technology too, even though they’re not my strong points. I enjoy the arts more than anything in the world and can’t imagine a happier life than one lived in the pursuit of dreams and fantasies.
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am currently the editor-in-chief of my school’s yearbook. I have always viewed being on the staff as an honor and was so proud to be a part of something so much bigger than me that will have a lasting impact. I am proud that I was chosen to lead the newest generation of world changers.
What made FIDM right for you? Ever since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a designer, growing up watching classic musicals with my mother, and having a love of fashion instilled in me, I knew I had to seek out the best school to help me accomplish this goal. After hearing about FIDM, I knew it was the right place for me.
Describe your entrance project. The entrance project for Merchandise Product Development was a bit daunting. Having to combine a million different things together in one project seemed like an impossible task. However, after I got started, I had so much fun going out and doing all of the research and designing all of the spin off fashions, and realized I couldn’t wait to do that sort of thing for a living.
What are your career goals? Upon graduating from FIDM, I hope to have a good head start in my career field. And someday, I hope to own my own company -- something I know FIDM can prepare me for.
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I know I will learn everything I will need in order to make a successful career out of what previously was a childhood fantasy.
