1st Quarter FIDM Student Creates Garments for Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez

Last week I concluded my first quarter at FIDM and I couldn't be happier. When I stop to think about it, I can't believe that I was a phone call away from not coming to FIDM--not because I didn't like it anymore, but because of financial issues. I ask myself where would I be right now if I hadn't started attending fashion school at FIDM. So much has happened in just my first quarter that I don't even know where to begin.

Like any new college student, the first few days I felt as if I didn't fit in. I guess you can say I missed my high school friends. Still feeling this way, I attended all the first meetings of the Student Council, The Mode (our student magazine), and Phi Theta Kappa club because I love being involved with what is going on in school. (Now that I'm writing this, I'm going to admit to you all that I was a loner the first week and I felt like Cady from Mean Girls.) Luckily I'd met my now good friend Nicole during orientation, but we only had school together on Fridays, which was at least one less day of being a loner. 

As my fifth week into the quarter approached, I began to look for a job. I've been attempting to find a job on my own since I was sixteen and haven't had any luck. I took advantage of the amazing Career Center at school and met up with a Career Advisor to assist me in finding a job. The advisors  at the Career Center are very helpful, they assisted me in creating my resume and gave me a list of job leads. Thanks to them, I got a job that was very convenient to me. I was super excited when I got a call from Kristine of the FIDM Library and she told me that I was hired.

  During the same time that I got my first paying job I got an amazing internship with an up-and coming designer-and now a friend of mine, Karina Copado. I came across this internship through the FIDM Portal, which is a reason I love FIDM even more. They provide amazing resources for their students. I was thrilled with having a job and an internship. My internship with Karina was incredible. I had the chance to assist, and pretty much construct, her garments for her celebrity clients, such as Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez, just to name a few. To Karina, I'm considered "Hollywood's Best Kept Secret" since I played a big role in launching her fashion show event in Hollywood in August.

I was amazined at how many things I'd accomplished in such a short time at fashion college. Did I mention that I also got nominated for Special Events Coordinator for the student council? Yes, I did, but I was the new kid at school and didn't receive enough votes so I didn't get the position but I'm not giving up.

Towards the end of the quarter I participated in a lot of school activities. I attended The Mode's launch party for their green issue. For the event I was a stylist and was recognized. I wasn't a part of the green issue, but I will be wokring on the next issue of The Mode which I am excited about. By this time I didn't felt like I did the first week. I had made tons of friends and had met tons of staff members at school all because I joined all these clubs and because of my friendly personality.

Well October is around the corner now and I am excited to start my second quarter. I'm scheduled for five classes and on top of it all the month of October is overflowing with things I have to do, I have photo shoots, deadlines, work at my new job at Bath and Body Works and of course my personal life. I love a challenge, let's see how my second quarter goes.

--Jonathan Soto

FIDM Visual Communications Student

Attend FIDM's Open House and "Little Black Dress" Exhibit

FIDM welcomes all 2011 and 2012 accepted students to join us for our Summer Open House on August 13, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet faculty, current students, and alumni and enjoy the "Little Black Dress" exhibition, which is currently on display at the Los Angeles campus in the FIDM Museum & Galleries.

FIDM Student Activities is hosting a pre-Open House student mixer with light refreshments at 10:00 a.m. before the Open House event (only at the LA campus). Please RSVP to your Admissions Advisor to reserve your spot for the pre-Open House Mixer (at 10 a.m.) and the Open House event.

FIDM Student Activities LA: Health Week!

Check out these events for FIDM Students happening around the LA Fashion College Campus this week!

August 23rd - 27th

Red Dress Luncheon

Tuesday August 24th

11:15 AM in RM 425

Fanny Pak

Wednesday August 25th

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Grand Hope Park

Healthy Skin Care Workshop

Thursday August 26th

11:15 AM in RM 425

The Fashion Club Tours "Staples Center"

Friday August 27th

1:00 - 3:00 PM

Sign up in RM 425

Summer Grad Luncheon

Tuesday August 31st

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Big Wangs Patio

Extra Information

• FIDM Student Actives is now on Facebook!

FIDM Student Activities LA: Networking Week!

Check out these events for FIDM Students happening around the LA Campus this week!

August 2nd - 7th

Suicide Prevention Workshop

Tuesday August 3rd

11:15 AM in RM 500

 

Career Connection

Wednesday August 4th

10:00 - 11:30 AM

Grand Hope Park

 

FIDM Sparks Night

Wednesday August 4th

7:30 PM at Staples Center

 

FIDM L.A. & O.C. Night At The "Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters"

Wednesday August 11th

8:30 PM Showtime Laguna Beach

 

Downtown L.A. Art Walk

Thursday August 12th at 6:00 PM

 

Movie & a Meal "Eat Pray Love"

Friday August 13th

5:30 PM at Bella Cucina

 

Extra Information

• FIDM Student Actives is now on Facebook!
• If you're interested in studying fashion design, or going to visual communications college or graphic design college, then FIDM could be a great option for you! 

Inside Look at FIDM Student Council Meeting

What goes on at the FIDM Student Council meetings? Fashion Club wanted to find out so we went to one on the Los Angeles campus!

First thing I noticed—free cookies and coffee (with real cream)—excellent.

 

They started the meeting with typical orders of business. They thanked the students who helped out with the American Heart Association Luncheon last week. Three outstanding students were recognized as "Students of the Week" for their help with getting signatures on the Smoke-Free Petition. Also, announced was a Leadership Workshop that will be happening next week—sounded amazing!

 

Then it came time to talk Mardi Gras! Student Activities is going to have a celebration in the Student Lounge next week, while at the same time raising funds to donate to the victims in Haiti. Students are being invited to participate in a mask-decorating contest. White blank masks are for sale at $3. Elaborate decoration is encouraged. All proceeds will go to the Haiti Relief Fund. They also announced they're looking for volunteers to pass out Mardi Gras beads at the celebration.

 

Next, they discussed the Winter FIDM Olympics—a competition between all the clubs during the week of the 22nd. They're going to be playing a series of Wii games. Students were encouraged to sign up to play.

 

One of the students had a special announcement. She's from St. Louis and back home she worked a lot with Invisible Children (an organization that, coincidentally, the San Diego Campus is heavily involved with). She enjoys working with socially-proactive organizations and had the brilliant idea to get FIDM involved with Acholi Beads—an organization whose funds go to support the livelihood of Ugandan women. She'd like to arrange to have their hand-made beads for sale on campus. "Why not do something that is charitable, in a fashion school way." Way to go!

Next up, it was get-to-know-you time. The students played catch with a ball that had questions on it. Whatever question their right thumb was touching when the ball was caught had to be answered. 

Question: Celebrity to live without

Answer: Heidi Montag or Spencer

Question: If you were a billboard, what would you say?

Answer: I'm hungry

Question: Preferred board game

Answer: Monopoly

Question: Foods you cook

Answer: Cereal

Question: If you were a shoe, what would it be?

Answer: Christian Louboutin

Question: Best gift you ever received

Answer: My sewing machine

The Student Council meets once a week and all students are welcome.

Jaye Hersh of Intuition Visits FIDM

Jaye Hersh, celeb stylist and owner of hot LA boutique Intuition, recently visited FIDM to share her industry experience and talk about her new book "Hollywood Intuition: It's What Separates Fashion Victims From Fashion Victors," available for purchase in the FIDM Museum Shop.

 

Hersh knows the hottest fashion trends, including what celebs are wearing on the red carpet—and stocks her store accordingly. She founded Intuition as a way to finance her children's education. The profits literally went "into tuition."

 

Right now she also has an amazing accessory line at Target called Hollywood Intuition. Cute stuff at great price points! Jaye Hersh really knows her stuff when it comes to fashion merchandising and design...

 

 

Hollywood Intuition Tie Dye Scarf, $14.99, target.com

 

Hollywood Intuition White Tote, $29.99, target.com

 

Hollywood Intuition Bracelet Set, $19.99, target.com

-Gigi Hooghkirk

Yoga for Fashion Students... and Everyone Else, Too!

    Namaste! (literally translated to, “I bow to you." Usually said after practicing yoga as a way of acknowledging the divinity in all living forms). I was so excited to hear about FIDM having a yoga workshop! I am a firm believer in the physically healing and mentally purifying benefits of the practice of yoga. It's especially crucial when you are feeling stressed or under pressure, but it's important to continue practicing even when you have calmed down as it will keep your body firm and agile.

    There are all kinds of forms of yoga, each with their own benefits. The one I personally practice is “Bikram yoga.” Not only does it help tone muscles and increase flexibility, but it promotes weight loss, improves concentration and productivity, and restores your body back to it's natural balance. Even if you cannot make it to the gym, or one of the workshops (which I really hope you try to do, so hopefully they will continue having them!), but there are some moves you can try at home!

You can find out more about the FIDM yoga class here and even download a PDF of the poses on yoga instructor McKenna Rowe's website ChakraFive.

All you need is some clear space and a few moments of your time. Be sure to meditate before and after. Sit down in whatever position you are most comfortable in, and clear your mind by focusing solely on your breathing. In...1..2...3..4..5...Out...1...2...3...4...5...Repeat. Slowly loosen all your muscles, all the tension of the day. Feel a wave of relief caress your body, and when you are ready, begin your practice. Ideally, you should remain in a meditative state during your moves, keeping all in one fluid motion; an extension of your body, mind, and soul. However, in the beginning you can open your eyes and practice in front of a mirror, etc, until you feel confident. Good luck and Namaste!

Michelle

Michelle is a Student at FIDM and she blogs about her experience on FIDM.edu. You can read her blog here.

Event Coverage: FIDM's 3rd Year Fair

The 3rd Year Fair was a chance for FIDM Alumni, who went on further their education, to come back and talk about their experiences and what is expected of you in this advanced curriculum. The fair in general was themed “FIDM Airways," complete with luggage tags that were stamped as you went to different tables to be entered into a raffle, and even Kristen Chocek (Student Activities Coordinator) dressed as a flight attendant handing out snacks and drinks!

 

I was delighted to see a rather large turn out, though it made squeezing to the front of crowds to listen to speakers and check out sample projects a tad difficult, haha. My favorite spot was the FIDM Study Tours area. I would absolutely LOVE to go on the European study tour. My heart was literally fluttering as I looked at the schedule of events, trying to visualize myself experiencing the culture first hand, (I have never been out of the country). Unfortunately, at the moment, it would be near impossible for me to go due to financial situations, even though I believe it would be worth every penny. Maybe some day!

I think the 3rd Year Fair was a great success and a lot of fun. It certainly had me considering going into it; I think participating in the DEBUT show would be positively exquisite! :)

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,

Michelle

Michelle is a Student at FIDM and she blogs about her experience on FIDM.edu. You can read her blog here.

FIDM Cross-Cultural Student Alliance (CCSA) Hosts Pumpkin Carving

Students showed off their school spirit Halloween style at the Cross-Cultural Student Alliance (CCSA) pumpkin carving.

 

FIDM Students Celebrate Oktoberfest

FIDM Students celebrated Oktoberfest and the beginning of the Fall Quarter with music, food, and a raffle.