Learning Fashion at FIDM

Ever wonder where designers get their start, or what it takes to begin a career in fashion? Before making their debut on store clothing labels or premiering their collections in front of Hollywood’s finest, most emerging designers hone their craft amidst humble beginnings. For many this means hitting the books (or in this case, the sketchboard) in fashion school.

This week’s featured fashion institute is FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Located in four campuses across California (San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and San Francisco), this fashion giant has a lot to toot its own horn about. Over 7,000 students, 18 merchandising and design majors, and tons of distinguished alumni and faculty.

FIDM consistently attracts the most talented design students and faculty destined for the fashion industry, and their alumni roster proves it. Among the many success stories to come out of the fashion school are Kelly Arsenian (designer for True Religion Jeans), Kevan Hall (designer to the stars) and Estevan Ramos (sexy garment designer for Hollywood’s most sensual women).

FIDM is most well known for being home to Bravo’s wildly popular Project Runway, the show that gives talented, new designers the opportunity to showcase their designs and compete for the coveted title of top fashion designer. Many of FIDM’s students themselves have been selected for the shows’s competition, including one of the most popular FIDM alumns of all, Nick Verreos.

When asked “what does it take to be designer at FIDM?”one alumna responded, “An incredible amount of dedication to your passion. You’ve got to be in it for real and give it all of your creative energy because the competition will make your jaw-drop.” She wasn’t wrong either. Each year the school hosts the annual FIDM DEBUT Runway Show where 10 of their top students premiere their clothes to gain exposure among industry big names.

To learn more about FIDM, visit their website at fidm.edu.

Digging For Designers

If you’re one of those people that’s constantly looking for the next big thing in fashion then you’ve probably got your search technique down and solid. On the other hand, if you’re into fashion but haven’t quite figured out how to dig around for designers, worry not. We’ve gathered some helpful tips to help you along your way.

• Hit up the Boutiques! – Let go of your obsession with the Abercrombies and Forever21’s of the world for a second and experience the wonder that is the boutique. These quaint stores are teeming with all the newest designers that are establishing their brand image and looking for ways to distribute their stuff. A good way to keep track of new designers at these stores is to pick out the pieces that best speak to your personal style and keep track of the designer’s label in case it starts showing up elsewhere.

• Trunk Shows and Fashion Runways – A trunk show is when a designer literally takes a trunk full of their merchandise to display for a small, select group of potential clients. It’s a perfect opportunity to get to know a designer and their clothing more intimately.You can usually find out about these shows at local boutiques. Attending fashion shows is slightly different but usually more exciting. Independent designers are constantly finding their way into smaller scale fashion shows that are usually very accessible to the public.

• Indie Fashion Blogs – There are groups of people who are paid to scour the internet in search of all the newest clothes, designers and fashion. And get this, their sole purpose is to bring this news to the attention of fashionistas everywhere by writing about it! There couldn’t be a more perfect way to get in sync with all the latest news in the the world of new desginers. So get on your lap top, search for all things indie fashion and get in tune with the buzz.