Get Luxe Lashes With Lashem Giveaway

Looking to lengthen and strenghten your lashes? Enter Lashem's special Fashion Club givewaway and you could win the entire cosmetic line that includes the Measurable Difference Lash Gel, Picture Perfect Anti-Wrinkle Cream, 3-in-1 Eye Bright Gel, Double Trouble Mascara, and tote bag.

To enter, just visit the Lashem's Facebook Page from July 27, 2011 through August 3, 2011, and click the link on the left side that says, "Signup with Lashem." Click on "FIDM Giveaway" and you're automatically entered to win! The winner will be announced on August 4, 2011.

Fred Segal Fun Hosts Swimwear Trunk Show Benefitting One Hope

Summer is just around the corner! Fred Segal Fun in Santa Monica, California is hosting a trunk show on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 1pm to 4pm featuring LUXE by Lisa Vogel, Ella Moss Isla, and Splendid Swimwear! Enjoy snacks, drinks, music, and swim styling by LUXE creator Lisa Vogel. 

Fashion school students, check out FIDM's FashionClub blog for events like these and more! 

Vince Camuto Shoe Design Contest!

Vince Camuto is holding a design contest that lets fashion school students and aspiring designers submit a sketch of their dream shoe, for a chance to get it produced and sold in the fall 2010 Vince Camuto collection and be featured in the September issue of Lucky! The sketches will be posted on the website where visitors can vote on which designs they like best.

The top 10 voted designs will then be judged by designer Vince Camuto (one of the founders of Nine West) and President Louise Camuto along with an editor from Lucky. The best shoe design will then be highlighted in the September issue of Lucky and the designer wins a trip to New York City to meet Vince himself!

Submit design to shoedesigncontest@vincecamuto.com by April 15. Good luck! 

Pamper Yourself With VAMPD's Stiletto Fit Spa Day Just In Time For Valentine's Day

Whether you're single or just running out of time to prep for your date, VAMPD magazne's Valentine's Spa Day with Stiletto Fit will get you in the spirit!

For just $10, you'll enjoy mini makeovers, micro facials, a 20-minute Stiletto Fit Session, music, and meet the VAMPD team! Click on the flyer for all the details!

New Interview With Fashion Design Alumna Giovanna Huaycochea

Fashion Design Alumna Giovanna Huaycochea is a freelance fashion designer and illustrator who recently launched her own business. She also finds time to write the Boho Market blog, which focuses on things that inspire her, her work, and fashion trends.

FIDM Grad Year: 2009

Campus: Los Angeles

Job Title: Freelance Fashion Designer and Illustrator

Tell us a little about yourself: I was born in Perú and have had a passion for fashion since I was a little girl. I remember designing outfits for my dolls when I was seven years old. I love the creative process of designing because it allows me express myself in an artistic way. I'm a free spirited girl, gypsy bohemian at heart and a dreamer. I love fabrics!! I can spend hours in a fabric store, I love getting inspired by the different textiles and textures. I appreciate art and photography, enjoy music, films, and I can't live without chocolate, coffee, and cozy places.

Describe a typical work day: I have a big table full of different things that inspire me such as fabric swatches, trims, photos, different images, magazines, books, and all my materials. I try to keep close to me anything that I find interesting and eye catching! Those things help me to start developing my own ideas. Then, I start sketching until I end up with something that I really love! I'm a perfectionist so I keep pushing until I feel completely happy with my design. I also love to create a nice environment when I'm working with pleasant music, my cup of tea or coffee, and maybe a piece of chocolate.

What inspires you? I get very inspired by people who pursue their dreams. In terms of fashion, I find inspiration in many things such as art, photography, fabrics, flea markets, nature, vintage, films, etc. Inspiration can be everywhere.

What is your proudest accomplishment?  That I followed my heart and came to the U.S. to study what I love and never gave up no matter what.  

What are some projects you've worked on? As a freelance designer, I'm involved in different projects, and I especially love to work on commissioned illustrations, designs, and artistic things. I recently finished some illustrations and designs for fellow fashion bloggers, which I'll be posting on my blog for everyone to see.

What is a skill that is most valuable when owning/launching your own freelance business? I think it's very important to know your strengths and make the most of them. I also think organization and commitment are essential when owning your freelance business. I pay a lot of attention to details and customer service is very important to me. I treat my clients the way I like to be treated.

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? I did my research before coming to California and visited different fashion schools. It's hard to explain, but the first time I went to FIDM, I knew it was perfect for me. Every detail at FIDM is impeccable, from the lovely Advisor who helped me, to the environment.  

What was your favorite class at FIDM? All the Creative Design series and draping. I love the artistic part of this career and I was lucky enough to have the best instructors on those classes. They were an inspiration for me!

How has what you learned at FIDM helped you in your career? FIDM opens your eyes to new things and new opportunities, and you see things from the fashion designer's perspective. You get involved in the process of designing and that makes you understand how the fashion industry works much better.

Any advice for current FIDM Students? I absolutely believe in following your dreams and taking the opportunities that life offers you. Keep pushing and never give up on your dreams even in difficult times. Difficult times should always make you stronger and if you really love what you do, you're going to see that difficulties are just part of the journey, and at the end of the day the satisfaction of doing what you love is the best feeling. Take advantage of all the great things the school offers and most of all enjoy every single day at school.

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 design 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. 

Missa's Monday Match: Inspiration Anna Paquin

This week we're featuring actress and New Zealand native Anna Paquin, who is the second youngest winner of an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress for The Piano when she was just 11). Now she's getting major acclaim for her role in the HBO series True Blood, and for her fabulous taste in fashion design.

Get inspired!

-- Victoria

New Just Accepted FIDM Student Interview: Danielle Heer

With a love of everything from surreal art to experimental music, Danielle Heer has no shortage of inspiration when it comes to design. We caught up with Danielle to see how she chose her major and what she plans to do after graduating from FIDM with a digital media degree.

Age: 16

Hometown: Placerville, CA

FIDM Start Date: Fall 2010

Major: Graphic Design

Campus: San Francisco

Tell us about yourself: I come from a small town and I've been doing Graphic Design for four years, specializing in abstract, but I have fun doing anything. I work for a software company called Alight, doing design and video work. I'm also into makeup artistry, video production, fashion, surreal art, and music. I'm outgoing and I love to meet other artists. I'm always wearing stilettos.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? Probably when I was presented with an award for winning the Every 15 Minutes T-shirt design contest in an assembly in front of hundreds of people. I was also on the video team and we had been up all night long editing. So even though I was exhausted and a little sick, it felt so good to be recognized for all my hard work.

Who is your favorite artist or designer? My favorite graphic designer is Dennis Sibeijn. His work is so genius I can't even begin to describe.

What's one trend or item you're loving now? Silk corsets and studded stilettos. I'm willing to sacrifice myself to the cold weather for the good of the outfit.

Who is your style icon and why? Definitely Rhianna because everything she wears is very similar to my style, so I quite often get inspiration from some of her ensembles.

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? My shredded and bleached jeans, which are falling apart and barley wearable, but they fit like a glove.

How did you know FIDM was the right college for you? Because it mixes Graphic Design with the Fashion Industry, the two things I'm very interested in. Also, it's a very focused environment. This will give me the opportunity to really pursue what I want to do and be around people with the same interests.

How did you choose your major? Graphic Design is my passion and it's what I'm good at.

What are you most excited to learn about? I'm very excited to learn about the concept of forming good marketing ideas and there are some classes I have been wanting to take for years.

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? I will be expanding my portfolio and developing my skills to become a professional.

What are your career goals after graduating from FIDM? I would love to start out working in a firm or company and then later graduate to creating my own business designing band logos and album art.

What advice would you give students looking to be accepted into FIDM? Go above and beyond and show them why your not just anyone.

Just Accepted Interview: Apparel Manufacturing Management Student Amanda Oquendo

Meet future FIDM Student Amanda Oquendo, whose love of art and fashion will take her to California later this year to learn new things at fashion merchandising school, and pursue her dreams of working in the industry! Let's get to know Amanda a little bit better!

Age: 17

Hometown: I was born in Virginia Beach, VA, but I currently live in Jacksonville, FL.

FIDM Start Date: Fall 2010

Major: Apparel Manufacturing Management

Campus: As of yet I am undecided, but I am leaning towards Los Angeles.

Tell us a little about yourself: As a toddler, I would throw temper tantrums during the winter when I couldn't wear sundresses just because it was snowing outside. Today, I will typically be seen in a pair of well-worn heels holding a cup of coffee with a pile of books or manga straddled under my arm. I also love art and everything I own is typically covered in little doodles.

What is one of your proudest accomplishments? In my art class, there is a wall where all the advanced art students put up their work for critique and grading. Since I was a freshman, I have always drawn inspiration from the art tacked on there. Now, whenever I get to put my own work up, I feel a certain thrill in comparing my art along with that which I've admired for so long. It also challenges me to do my best in all of my art.

Favorite designer: There's a Japanese designer named Eri Matsui who I think is brilliant. Her stuff is a bit avant-garde, but she blends themes from science and mathematics into her designs: fractals, topology, and the human brain have all served as part of her inspirations. As for more ready-to-wear looks, I am obsessed with Anna Sui and Rodarte.

Trend/item you're loving right now: I am a wee bit obsessed with jumpers. They're very easy to throw on in the morning (good when you've been studying until all hours of the night), but there is a certain tongue-in-cheek sensibility to them that I love.

Who is your style icon and why? I always draw inspiration from the most random characters: Holly Golightly, Spock, Alex from A Clockwork Orange, Naruto....the list goes on and on. Often, it's the personality of the person, the idea of them, that takes root in my brain. I pick clothes that in some abstract way remind me of that character, even if I'm the only one who sees it.

What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? There's an old Dooney & Bourke purse my mother gave me. She bought it when she was pregnant with me, so it's older than I am (three more years and I can officially call it vintage), and I just love the simplicity of it.

How did you know that FIDM was the right college for you? I like the setup of the curriculum, especially with the bachelor's option added in. There's a rather good stream of alumni as well. Oh, and I will not have to adjust to living in a place that actually experiences winter, which is very beneficial to someone who has lived in Florida for 11 years.

How did you choose your major? I wanted the ability to manage myself and my business in the future, but I didn't want to be completely removed from the creative aspect of the fashion world. Apparel Manufacturing Management seemed the best median between the practical and the artistic sides of the industry.

What are you most excited to learn in your first quarter? If I can figure out the campus by my first quarter I will be a happy camper. I am just interested in seeing the microcosm of the apparel world and the things you never think about when buying a dress off a sale rack. Right now the only things I know are from books; it will be nice to actually learn it from a fashion college class.

What do you expect to gain from attending FIDM? I hope to have the knowledge and skills required to make it in the industry without being swept out by the tide.

What is your ultimate career goal after graduating from FIDM? I hope to have my own clothing line that's sold in department stores or specialty boutiques.

What advice would you give to students looking to be accepted into FIDM? Go for it! Admissions requirements look really intimidating at first, but once you get into it--if you are really passionate about this field--it will be easy. Have confidence in yourself!

Design a FIDM Tote Bag and You Could Win a $1000 Scholarship!

 Have you ever dreamed of attending a fashion school? Design a tote bag and you could have a chance to win a $1000 scholarship toward attending FIDM!

Learn more about the "Totelly FIDM Scholarship Competition" and if your bag wins, it will be produced and sold in FIDM stores! Open to high school seniors and graduates only.