FIDM Street Style!

Christina | Merchandise Product Development

Kelly | Visual Communications

FIDM Alumna Lillian Estrada is Online Community Manager for Agency

Lillian Estrada graduated from FIDM with a degree in Visual Communications, and is now working at Modal Digital Agency in Irvine, managing social media marketing for clients using Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

Read her interview on FashionClub.com to find out how FIDM prepared her for this exciting career.

Career Girl Answers: How Do I Become a Fashion Stylist?

Dear Career Girl:

I want to become a fashion stylist. Is it possible to major in Merchandise Marketing and minor in Visual Communications? Or can I only pick one? 

-Dena N.

Dear Dena:

It's awesome that you are interested in becoming a fashion stylist. Los Angeles is one of the best places in the nation for this career. Because of the entertainment industry and the fact that so many celebs make LA their home, there is a lot of opportunity in fashion styling just outside FIDM's door.

Students can layer degrees at FIDM by completing one degree at a time. This allows for cross marketable skills to be developed and a broader understanding of the fashion industry at large.

You will get definitely get styling experience in the Visual Communcations program at FIDM. Check out this interview with a recently accepted student whose goal is also to become a stylist.

I also recommend calling our Admissions office and speaking with an Advisor 1-800-624-1200. They could discuss all of your options, and help you with your decision as to what you want to major in and in what order. 

Best of everything to you, Dena!

-Career Girl

Do you have a question for Career Girl? Please send an email with your career-related questions to fashionclub@fidm.com. Be sure to read questions answered from other readers, too!

FIDM Street Style!

Laurie P. | Visual Communications

A.J. | Visual Communications 

FIDM Street Style!

Claire A. | Visual Communications (Left) & Janera Rose | Beauty Industy Merchandising and Marketing Program (Right)

FIDM Street Style!

Brendan M. | Visual Communications

Leslie | Visual Communications

Jonathan | Graphic Design

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student is Inspired by Rachel Zoe and Wants to be a Stylist

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.

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student is Competing for Miss California

Full Name: Heidi Kathryn Uzelac
 
Age: 18 years old
 
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
 
Year in School: I am a Senior at Beverly Hills High School.
 
FIDM Major: Visual Communications

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Los Angeles, July 2012
 
Admissions Advisor: Kyle Pahel
 
Tell us a bit about yourself. I love making art, following fashion blogs, designing clothes, watching movies, participating in pageants, and planning events. I am currently Miss Bel Air and am running for Miss California, USA next March. My platform is to raise awareness for heart disease which is the number one killer of people in Los Angeles. I became inspired to advocate for the American Heart Association after my mother suffered from cardiac arrest this past October.

Advocating for others is a great passion of mine, which is why I became a peer counselor at my high school. I am also the founder/president of the Beverly Hills High School official FIDM Fashion Club and was a competitive cheerleader for nine consecutive years.
 
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Maintaining a high GPA on top of supporting myself through the second half of my high school experience, as well as founding the Fashion Club, and being able to help others. I have found out that good things come to those who are patient and willing to help others.
 
What made FIDM right for you? EVERYTHING! The campus is absolutely to die for. I am an aesthetic learner, and the environment that the FIDM classrooms offer is unlike any other fashion school. Inspiration is everywhere -- not to mention the fact that this school is one that I used to dream of attending.
 
Describe your entrance project. My tasks were to design the interior of a store, a window display, and on a blank 8" by 11" sheet of paper I was to draw anything that my mind came up with, as long as it included a triangle, a circle, and a square. For my interior display, I chose to draw a watch display. It included a man and a woman dressed in trench coats with watches hanging on the inside of their coats as well as up and down their arms. Above the display hung a quote saying “Late for a very important date?”

For my window display, I chose to dress mannequins in baby doll dresses with a butterfly theme. Each dress incorporated beautiful butterfly wings and pretty butterflies surrounded the display. The final part of my entrance project was my absolute favorite. On a blank sheet of paper, incorporating circles, triangles, and squares, I drew a super cool hippie bus in the woods next to an exotic tree with hands forming ‘peace signs’ and animals were hidden throughout the drawing. With the use of vibrant colors and blending techniques, I was able to really make the picture come to life.
 
What are your career goals? To travel the world, meet inspiring people, and to have a job that challenges me every day. With all of these, happiness and success will follow.
 
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? While attending FIDM, I plan to enhance my aesthetic skills, and learn all there is to know about the fashion industry. I would love to learn about what goes on in the back end of business in fashion, and what it takes to have your own company.

Just Accepted Visual Communications San Diego Student is Passionate About Art and Design

Full Name: Charmaine Rose Ann Ramos Lim

Age: 18

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Year in School: Senior at Great Oak HS

FIDM Major: Visual Communications

FIDM Campus and Start Date: San Diego in the Fall of 2012

Admissions Advisor: Roxy DeGuzman

Tell us a bit about yourself. I enjoy a variety of things that surround art. I love Polynesian dancing, I've been active for four years now in and outside of high school. I like to write poetry (slam/spoken word) during my free time and I enjoy music as well; I'm still a beginner at the acoustic guitar, as I am still learning in class that I take currently at Great Oak.

Lastly, I like to take the time to sketch and paint even if I'm not the best. I like to utilize all forms of expression - mainly fashion of course. It's naturally become a crucial part in my life. I'm easily inspired and have this overwhelming appreciation for beauty thus creating my path towards FIDM.

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? I am quite proud of myself for being accepted as a Visual Communications student at FIDM. I am proud that I am not afraid to pursue my goals and turn my dreams into my reality. I am proud that I was given this opportunity and that I took advantage of it, I am also proud that I am creating this process (because education is something you have to want) so that I can not only make myself proud in the end, but give thanks back to both of my parents who deserve a lifelong appreciation.

What made FIDM right for you? FIDM is right for me because I can receive two degrees in four years, including my creative major as well as a business degree -- there's no where else to turn. Fashion schools like FIDM value individuality and self expression as much as I do. I admire the curriculum and the placement rates are beyond amazing!

What are your career goals? I am focused on a career, not just a job in my field of study. In this economy, FIDM will allow me to find and explore the areas that best suits me. I aspire to intern for magazines, assist at fashion shows, and to simply be a member of creation. I am not entirely sure on what I would like to turn into a permanent career, but attending FIDM will help me discover what that will be.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn not only the art of the fashion industry, but the business aspect of it also. I am more than certain that this is place for me. I expect FIDM to help me with intern positions, job fairs, and a professional approach to this industry.

Visit Charmaine's YouTube Channel!

Just Accepted Visual Communications Student Wants to Style and Design Windows

Full Name: Kelley Johnson

Age: 17

Hometown: Olympia,WA

Year in School: 12

FIDM Major: Visual Communications

FIDM Campus and Start Date: Los Angeles Campus in Fall 2012

Admissions Advisor: Kristen Chocek

What are your proudest accomplishments so far? My proudest accomplishment was getting into FIDM. I worked so hard on my application and my project, and I was proud to say that because of my hard work, I got into the school of my dreams.

What made FIDM right for you? I have always wanted to attend fashion design schools. FIDM features the major I want, Visual Communications, and allows me to be surrounded by people who share the same interests as me.

Describe your entrance project. I wanted my entrance projects to reflect me in the best way possible. A lot of my projects included things that I love, such as Pac Man, the beach, or peacocks. I wanted to express my ideas and also share a little piece of me in each and every project.

What are your career goals? I am not completely sure what I want to do with my Visual Communications Degree because the choices are endless. I am mainly interested in styling or becoming a window designer at this moment though.

What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I expect to learn professional skills, more about my degree, and more about the world of fashion.