FashionClub.com Daily

New Interview With Merchandise Product Development Student Natasha Endrei

Merchandise Product Development Student Natasha Endrei moved to LA from Ohio to pursue her dreams of a career in the fashion industry. Read our interview with Natasha to learn more about her style icons, the fashion sites she can't live without, and what she loves about FIDM.

Age: 19

Hometown: Avon, OH

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? I think one of my proudest accomplishments has been getting here to FIDM, and the things I have faced and overcome since being out here in Los Angeles.

Favorite designer: I don't usually have favorites but a designer whose work I absolutely adore is Oscar de la Renta. I feel not only his gowns but also his ready to wear garments celebrate the female and embrace the feminine curves.

What's a trend or item you're loving right now? I love leggings—if i could just wear different types of leggings and never have to wear real pants again, I would be perfectly happy. They are comfortable and cute—isn't that what we're all searching for?

Who is your style icon and why? The Olsen twins. I love their use of skinny jeans, gorgeous stilettos, oversized flannels, and layering. They also have a phenomenal collection of jewelry used to accessorize their often casual outfits.

What's in your wardrobe you can't live without? Leggings, my leather jacket, and my leather Valentino backpack from Europe I received as a gift.

What fashion websites/blogs do you love? I love being able to access Vogue, Elle, and all my other magazines online. On top of that I love using the FIDM Portal to access WWD and StyleSight. A fashion blog I enjoy is a friend of mine's called LAInspiration. It is just finding people in everyday life with great or unique style, and then also suggesting stores and online sites to find great merchandise and deals with a little bit of personal input.

How did you decide on FIDM? When I was looking at colleges, I looked at FIT, LIM, Parsons, Art Institute, and FIDM. I started all of the application/searching process for all of them around the same time. FIDM stuck out to me though—I had a fantastic admissions process, and felt that the vibe and personality of FIDM was the right fit for me. Visiting campus only solidified my assumptions and exceeded my expectations.

How did you choose your major? I owe a lot of my choice on major to my fantastic Admissions Advisor, Laura Gorham. She asked me about what I wanted to be doing in the future, and what I love doing now and helped my narrow the choices down to Merchandise Product Development. Being three semesters in, I couldn't be happier and more confident in my choice.

What do you love about FIDM? I love that I am surrounded by people who are just as passionate about art and are as creative as I am, and all the different styles and cultural backgrounds of everyone. I love the fact that FIDM really lets you be who you are, and no one is really going to judge or criticize you.

What's your favorite class so far and why? Surprisingly, I love my Effective Speaking class. I know it's not one of the super creative classes or design-based but I really enjoyed my Professor Nino Surdo. The class was not only a learning experience on public speaking but also provided helpful tools and mindsets for life.

Describe the students. I think the thing that makes the FIDM Student Body unique is that we are all from different states, ethnicities, religions, styles and yet we all come together on our one common factor which is our love for art and design.

What are your career goals? My long-term goals are to own a company or a handful of different lines, along with founding a charity to help bring necessities such as food, water, clothing, and medicine to those in the U.S. and Africa who can't afford them.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to FIDM? I would say do your homework, really ask your advisor questions, look at the FIDM website and catalog thoroughly, and go with your gut. Really think about if FIDM is right for YOU, not for anyone else! I am so happy with my decision to come to FIDM and wish all prospective students the best in their journey.

Interview with International FIDM Student Junie Kim

Name: Junie Kim

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea

FIDM Major: Fashion Design

Previous college experience: Acting (in Korea)

Tell us a little about yourself: I'm an international student from Korea in my 5th quarter at FIDM. I'm interested in fashion and music. I cook very well, especially Korean food :)

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? 3rd quarter when I got straight A's!

Who are your favorite fashion designers? Halmut Lang, Balmain, Coco Chanel

Runway Looks from Balmain

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? First of all, I needed to go to a good 2-year college because I can't be in LA for a long time--I have things to do in Korea after graduation!  Secondly, my friend suggested that FIDM would be the right college for me and once I found out more, I agreed. FIDM's California location also played a part in my decision. I love the beautiful weather!

How did you choose your major? I just love fashion!! There was no other option for me!

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? I expect that as a student at FIDM I can learn more about fashion and receive more inspiration from my instructors than I would be able to do in Korea.

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating from FIDM? I want to be a worldwide fashion designer.

Anything else you'd like to add? I hope I'm getting straight A's next quarter!! :)

New Interview With Fashion Design Student Arief Wongso Sihono

Name: Arief Wongso Sihono

Campus: Los Angeles

Major: Fashion Design

Age: 18

Hometown: Jakarta, Indonesia

Tell us a little about yourself. I am an international student from Indonesia. I was born and raised there until I was 14 years old. I love traveling and I have traveled through 17 countries in 4 continents. I have lived and studied in four countries: Indonesia, Singapore, Canada, and the United States. I am the oldest son out of eight children. I speak English and Indonesian fluently, and understand two other languages. I would like to backpack in Greece and other places in Europe.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? My proudest accomplishment is being who I am right now.

Favorite designer: Hugo Boss. His designs are clean and simple, yet still have an edge to them. I think his designs perfectly embody elegance, sophistication, and art.

What's a trend or item you're loving right now? Anything that looks clean and relaxed—the European meets the American suburban look. For some reason I always go for the more mature and refined looks.

Who is your style icon? I do not have one. I have really bad style-mood swings, so I can't really stick with just one icon. I just pick up any styles I like whenever or wherever I see them.

What's in your wardrobe you can't live without? T-shirt and jeans. I've gotta have them wherever I go. They are way too comfy to live without.

What fashion websites or blogs do you love? Stylesight—tons of news on amazing designs and the fashion world.

What brought you to FIDM? I started developing major interests in fashion when I was in high school in Canada. I see fashion as a perfect combination of my interests: art and money. So, I decided to go to a fashion school in the U.S. because I also wanted to live in a different country and environment. Long story, short—I ended up at FIDM.

How did you choose your major? By following my interest in art, creativity, business, and money.

What's your favorite class so far? Fashion Sketching. I am an artist and I always love to sketch. It's the best way to channel my creativity and emotions.

Describe your fellow classmates. Since I came to FIDM, I have met quite a number of unique individuals. They are extremely creative, know how to pursue their dreams, and have a lot to say about fashion.

What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? My father currently owns a fabric manufacturing company and also has been supplying for designers. My dream some day is to take the company to a whole new level by creating a self-sufficient design house that carries the company's name. I think FIDM can help me by providing knowledge of the fashion business and refining my skills, and also help to provide tons of amazing connections in the industry.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to FIDM? Know what you want and be ready to kick ass!

New Interview With FIDM Fashion Design Student Andrew Stewart

Fashion Design Student Andrew Denali Stewart gives us an inside look at FIDM's Design Room and some excellent advice for prospective students. Read our interview with Andrew to learn more about what he loves about FIDM and how he chose his major.

Age: 22

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Tell us a little about yourself: I have a previous AA degree in general studies. I do parkour on Saturdays. I have a strange passion for bright colors and bizarre prints and fabrics.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? My motivation to stay busy and active. Right now I am working on a dress and I know it is going to be a fantastic piece.

Favorite designer: Walter Van Beirendonck

What's a trend or item you're loving right now? I don't have any trends, but I guess I'm leaning on the disheveled look right now.

What's in your wardrobe you can't live without? I just bought a notched lapel blazer-like jacket (women's) which is fully lined. It is white and black cotton houndstooth weave with a black and white polka dot bias finishing on the ends and welt pockets that are finished with a red polyester fabric that matches the lining of the jacket. It's just really bizarre and people everywhere always give me compliments.

What brought you to FIDM? The website really captured me. They have an amazing way of making you feel like they need you to be part of their program(s).

How did you choose your major? I once lived in Japan for 3 months with a host family during senior year in high school. When I discovered the Tokyo/Harajuku style, I said to myself, "Oh my gosh, I want to learn how to make these crazy clothes!"... and now I do.

What do you love about FIDM? The Instructors.

What's your favorite or best experience so far? There is something about pulling all-nighters in order to get the work finished that I find rewarding. When students come to class and their hair is frizzed and they haven't showered and they are wearing the same clothes they wore the previous day because they are so determined to get the work done—I believe this is what sets us apart from all other majors and people who want to work in this crazy industry.

What's your favorite class so far and why? Fashion Sketching II because Ms. Nancy Riegelman is an extremely inspiring human being as well as talented.

Describe campus life. Life on campus is hectic in the design room. Students are always running around borrowing other students' tools they forgot at home. There are students barely finishing the hem of their dress or about to have a meltdown because their seams won't match. Other students are rushing to finish labeling their manila patterns.

What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? The Career Center is great at helping students find jobs and internship opportunities. My goal is to work for JCPenney in the Design Training Program. JCPenney comes to FIDM occasionally to inform students of this program. I have my interview next month.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to FIDM? I wish I had known how to either sew or sketch before coming here. These skills are crucial and may take a long time to improve depending on the individual. And because the school curriculum moves at a rapid pace, it's good to have a little background in these areas so you don't fall too far behind. I still spend hours on just one sketch, but the quality is by far greater than when I first started. My advice for somebody thinking about coming to FIDM? Learn how to use a sewing machine; buy a commercial pattern for any kind of garment; sew it up in one kind of cotton fabric that doesn't stretch; and then sew it up in a totally different kind of fabric. In the end, compare and contrast the qualities of the look. What colors look better with that specific garment? What kind of "hand" does the fabric have that compliments or detracts from the look?

New Interview With Fashion Design Student Andrew Holmes

 

Name: Andrew Holmes

Age: 23

Major: Fashion Design

Campus: Los Angeles

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

What is in your wardrobe you can't live without? My black Diesel hi-tops. They're the most comfortable shoes I've ever had. And I have a lot of sneakers. I don't even know how many I have. I've stopped counting. I have shoes in storage back home in Phoenix. I love my Japanese Tabi shoes, too. I can't live without those. They're so comfortable and light. In America, no one wears them.

Do you visit any fashion websites or blogs? I always go to Dirty Flaws. I go to le FASHION. I go to Contemporist—it's an architecture blog. And TrendLand. They have a lot of art, fashion, and things like that.

What brought you to FIDM? I've always been into sneakers and that whole culture. But growing up, for dressing, it was more of a competition—who had the best shoes; who had the most clothes; who had the most jerseys. I graduated from high school and remained interested in fashion. I originally went to school for advertising. And I took a fashion class. We watched a documentary on Yves Saint Laurent. Then I wrecked my car and didn't go back to the class—I lived really far from campus. I ended up dropping out of college and working. I just woke up one morning and thought what can I do with my life? What am I interested in? This was 2 years ago. My mom had passed away and I was in turmoil. And then—I just thought fashion. Everything pointed to this school. Some people came here that I knew. I just packed up my stuff and drove out here!

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? Getting over my mother's death and just realizing that life goes on. And just saying that everything happens for a reason. You just have to withstand the pressure and keep at it. Perseverance. Use that perseverance as a strength and not let things bring you down so much.

Who is your favorite artist or designer? There's so many. I would say in fashion, Alexander McQueen. He passed away today! I'm mourning right now, wearing black. Before I came here I went to El Camino College in Torrance and I remember looking at his runway shows and being blown away! I would also say Hedi Slimane. He's phenomenal. He doesn't design anymore, but he's phenomenal. And Rick Owens. I just love that guy. He's like best friends with Ms. Riegelman [my fashion sketching instructor] too. They grew up together! For young designers, I like Gareth Pugh. A lot of people don't know of him yet but he's going to be huge.

What do you want to design? Avantgarde, but I was thinking also ready to wear. There's something about avantgarde I'm really drawn to. There's a beauty to it. It's saying there's more to fashion. It's making the statement that these aren't just clothes. These are pieces of art. It's beyond fashion. It's beyond time. So I'm thinking avantgarde, maybe ready to wear. If I could just blend them together...

What is a trend you love right now? I don't follow trends. The worst thing about trends is that you follow them and then they're over. If you just find your own identity and what fits you then you'll learn that trends mean nothing because it's all about your personality. I just wear whatever I want when I want. I feel like trends force people into boxes and categories. I mean you pay for your clothes. They don't.

Do you have any advice for someone who's thinking about coming to FIDM? Believe in yourself when you get here. Because picking the school is not the hardest part. It's being in school and doing the homework. The Fashion Design Program here is really challenging. You're surrounded by kids that have been doing this their whole lives. I'm in class with kids who've been drawing since they were six years old. So, just don't get discouraged. You're always going to have to compete against others in life, and school is no different.

Tell us what you love about FIDM? I really enjoy the environment. It's very diverse and cultural. It has a great vibe. There are a lot of international students, so I'm getting exposure to different parts of the world. I've met students from Japan, London, and Paris.

What's your favorite class so far? Technical Sketching. I have Ms. Riegelman. And she is just a phenomenal lady—everything about her. I've never encountered anyone like her, ever. The way she presents herself—she's very humble and sweet. She's so encouraging. She just makes you feel good. You walk into her class and you just feel amazing.

She wrote the book 9 Heads. What does "9 Heads" mean? It's the rubric we follow. The real human body is 7 or 8 heads in length, but the croquis is 9 heads. It's how you keep track of the proportions [when you're sketching]. It's new and she came up with it. It's easy to follow because it's almost mathematical. You have to draw the hips at 4. Students use her books all over the world. Before I came to FIDM, I was on youtube; there was this girl from another country talking about fashion sketching and she said all you need is the book 9 Heads. And once I met this girl from Art Institute on the train. We started talking about sketching and I told her about Ms. Riegelman. She was like why does that name sound so familiar. I told her she wrote some books, including 9 Heads. She said, "We use that at my school. Oh my gosh, I wish I had her!"

What's your favorite FIDM experience? The school is so challenging—I think my best experience will be when I graduate from here.

Just Accepted! Interview with FIDM Orange County Fashion Design Student Jae Damasco

Name: Jae Breeana Damasco

Age: 19

Hometown: Anaheim

FIDM Major and Campus: Fashion Design, Orange County Campus

Tell us a little about yourself: I have been infatuated with fashion since I was 8 years old.  I watched 101 Dalmatians and was oddly inspired by the evil Cruella De Vile.  Even though she was the villain, the woman still had epic style.  I adore British fashion and rock music.  I am always buying clothes and altering them to my liking, this routine simply infuriates my mother. I love to design evening wear, the greatest feeling to me is going to a big event and looking absolutely smashing in a killer dress.  I also have a great interest in baseball, my favorite teams are the Oakland Athletics (no not the Angels, yes I know I'm from Anaheim).  I guess you can describe me as a girly-tomboy.  I always showed up to my softball games with my softball bag on one shoulder and my Chanel purse on the other.  Along with my red ballet flats, pink painted nails, and make up done to perfection. 

Jae with her two siblings who visited her in the hospital every day

I am also a cancer survivor, I am now in remission and in my last year of treatment.  Having cancer has made me appreciate life and everything it has to offer.  Now that I'm in better health I am determined to get my career started as a clothing designer.

What is a favorite item in your closet? My cardigans, I never leave my house without one.

Designs by Vivienne Westwood

Who are some of your favorite designers? Giorgio Armani, Marc Jacobs, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel, and Diane von Furstenberg.

If you could own the wardrobe of any television or film character, whose would it be? Anne Hathaway's wardrobe from The Devil Wears Prada

What is an accomplishment you are most proud of? I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was 18.  My biggest accomplishment is battling and surviving cancer. 

What inspires you? I am inspired by music. I'll listen to a song and think about how that person is feeling and what that person would wear.

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you?  I know FIDM has so many connections to the fashion industry and I know that it's the perfect school for me to learn about apparel design.

How and why did you choose your major?  I have always wanted to study fashions design. It's my passion; it's my calling. 

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? I expect to gain knowledge in the fashion industry and learn how to bring my sketches to life. 

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating from FIDM?  That would be to start my own clothing line and eventually have a runway show in London.

New Interview With FIDM Visual Communications Student Ryan Pinter

Visual Communications Student Ryan Pinter has loved fashion since he was a young boy and after coming to FIDM "something just clicked." Read our interview with Ryan to learn more about his accomplishments, favorite designers, and how he chose his major!

Age:  20

Hometown: Pleasant Hill, CA

Tell us a little about yourself: I’m a Bay Area native. I’ve known that I wanted to work in fashion since the second grade when I told my teacher that when I grew up, I was going to work for Giorgio Armani.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? While I was taking Marketing Events at FIDM, I was assigned to provide gift bags for our school event. Since I didn’t have a budget, I had to basically ask for handouts. In the end, I successfully negotiated over 100 gift bags to be donated by Aveda and Ghirardelli. It all turned out brilliantly.

Favorite designer: There are and were so many greats, it’s hard to choose. Hubert de Givenchy is probably my favorite designer of all time, however I love what Alber Elbaz has done for Lanvin as well. I love Thomas Pink and Marc Jacobs because they actually understand that tall men (like me) can be thin as well.

Trend/item you're loving right now: I love the utility jacket for Spring! It started as a trend for men back in Fall 2009, and now it’s showing up in women’s Spring 2010 collections. That’s when you know a trend is really good -- when it can cross the lines of gender in the same year and people still think it’s great.

Who is your style icon and why? For men, it’s Clark Gable (who single-handedly made it fashionable for men not to wear an undershirt), and Cary Grant, who epitomized classic Hollywood -- nobody wore a suit like Cary Grant. For women, it’s got to be Jacqueline Kennedy. She gave this country class and changed the way American women look at fashion. 

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? I love my black trench coat by Burberry Prorsum. I waited so long before I finally stopped growing and then I bought it.  I love how universal it is. I can wear it with my super-basic Levi’s and a sweater from H&M and it instantly boosts the outfit.

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? I knew that I didn’t want to go to a conventional college – or rather, one that made me take science classes.  But once I got into my second quarter, and I took the class Trends: Past, Present and Future with my Instructor Marsha Silberstein, something just clicked.  It has been four quarters since and there has never been a dull moment. I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.

How did you choose your major? I’ve always been a visual person and someone who has always appreciated fashion as an art form, rather than something you just put on your back.  So, when I first came to FIDM, my Admissions Advisor and I talked about Visual Communications and it just seemed perfect. It was creative, fashion based, and I got to build projects with my hands. 

FIDM Street Style Daily

Katie | Visual Communications

Kristina | Merchandise Product Development

Seul Ki | Fashion Design

 

Alisa | Fashion Design

 

Kimberlee | Fashion Design

 

Nick | Graphic Design

 

Brenda | Business Management

 

Kristen | Visual Communications

 

Keko | Fashion Design
&
Alyssa | Visual Communications

Michelle | Fashion Design

Sofie | Merchandise Marketing

 

Eliza | Visual Communications

 

Elizabeth | Fashion Design
&
Jessica | Merchandise Marketing

Rebecca, Sandra & Mehroosh | Interior Design

Follow FIDM Street Style on Flickr.

Candice

FIDM Street Style Daily

Jennifer & Joselyne | Merchandise Marketing

Catherine | Fashion Design

 

Angelica | Merchandise Product Development

 

Paula | Visual Communications

 

Selena | Merchandise Marketing

 

Lien | Fashion Design

 

Alison | Merchandise Marketing

 

Alyssa | Visual Communications
&
Shanon | Fashion Design

Follow FIDM Street Style on Flickr.

Candice

Class Project: Hussein Chalayan

"With my first quarter complete I thought I'd touch on some of the projects that came up in my Survey of Visual Communications course. The first day we choose a designer we identified with and were told that this person would be the focus of several presentations and projects throughout the quarter. I asked for suggestion from my professor and she told me to look up Hussein Chalayan."  Read the rest of this post on Josh's blog.

Josh Davis is a Professional Designation Visual Communications student who blogs about his FIDM experience here.