FIDM Grad: Dahnielle on New York City

Thanks to Dahnielle, FIDM Grad and a member of Post FIDM Life for this brief wonderful coverage of life New York City. More to come!!

Insta-moments of FIDM Grad: Class of 2013

Some of our fave instagrams pulled from #fidm tags. Please visit our tumblr for links to their respective owners.

"Let's Be Honest Here...FIDM Isn't All That Great!!"

**[okay, you know fidmlife isn't all happy go lucky, right? we started this blog to document the good, the bad, and the ugly. well, here's a blog rant from a fellow fidm student.]**

I’m going to keep it so real with all of ya’ll for a second. Tonight’s rant is going to be about FIDM and my experience, as well as my friends experiences.

Listen up…here’s my story and some advice for anyone who plans on attending fidm or is attending fidm or just graduated from this school.

I left community college to pursue my passion for all things related to fashion. At the time i didn’t know exactly what i wanted to do, but all i knew was that i wanted to work in the fashion industry. The only schools i knew and were familiar with and catered to my interests were The Art Institutes, The Academy of Art University and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. (Mainly West coast schools). I ultimately decided to go with FIDM.

Read more »

A Note from Benni Harding

We appreciate any student taking the time to share an opinion and we do value student concerns. Constructive feedback is key in all good relationships.

We read your blog post and would like to correct some misinformation regarding our competitiveness with other colleges, our instructors' academic and career qualifications, our students' and graduates' ability to compete in the workforce with other college graduates, transferable credits of curriculum, as well as the value and quality of a specialized curriculum.

Some examples: In one of the majors, about 70% of the instructors have master's degrees. As a private, for profit college, FIDM is not publicly traded as other colleges that have been negatively profiled recently in the press. As far as transferability of courses, students choose FIDM precisely because of the specialized curriculum which may include courses that are not offered at other colleges. For this reason, some major courses cannot transfer, not because they don't meet baccalaureate requirements, but because there are no equivalent courses existing in the curriculum of other colleges.

As a graduate of FIDM, you have full access to the Alumni Association which offers a Job Search with a dedicated team of Career Advisors who cultivate job leads and assist graduates in launching and evolving their career identities. We're proud to say that over 90% of our graduates (in all majors) who utilize the Career Center find employment within six months of graduation. Also, for peer-to-peer networking opportunities, the Alumni Association has 36 Alumni chapters, as well as the Dialogue alumni magazine, LiveWire newsletter, and other resources, which I hope you'll utilize. FIDM's blueprint is tried and true. If a student does their coursework and takes advantage of all the available resources, they have every opportunity to succeed.

If you have spoken to any administrator and you feel have been disregarded, that is not our intention. Let’s try again.

We would like the opportunity to meet with you in person to address the concerns expressed in your blog post. In regards to complaints of any kind, we have an open door policy here at FIDM. In fact, my door is open to you and any student here at FIDM.

We can assure you, after you meet with appropriate staff members, your pride will be sky high!

Benni Harding
Director of Student Advisement
FIDM

In response to Waiting for Superman...

Dear readers,

I have been getting comments and emails regarding our previous post entitled "Waiting for Superman". The entry was sent to me anonymously by a current Advanced Study student who is in the process of transferring schools. As a previous student and grad, I could understand the frustrations and I felt it was something that should to be heard. However, it is not my intention to draw any backlash towards FIDM. I very much still believe in FIDM and what our school stands for. I started this blog to give students a voice--good, bad, or ugly--it has to be heard. I just hope you take the information and use it well. Please take your time to read my response to "Waiting for Superman" via Post FIDM Life.

Best,

thefidmlife Founder

Waiting for Superman

I recently watched a documentary called "Waiting for Superman" that addressed the issue of America's failing public school system.

As unfortunate as this is, while watching this documentary I could not help but question my own education, specifically here at FIDM.

There is not a single day, or single quarter that goes by when I don't hear complaints about FIDM's administration, politics, and policies.

You hear it every day, Alumni not being able to find jobs, students complaining about tuition, teachers complaining about the curriculum and yet this seems to be the topic of discussion that reverberates throughout the institutes hallways, relentlessly.

It's almost as if our school anthem has become the students complaints followed by disregard by our administrators that echo back with a tour for prospective student's who are witnessing the same false promises I dreamed of not too long ago.

I can't help but think of where my own education stands as a graduating student and why outside these halls, my pride falls short when I state the name of my school. I think of the competition that my peers here at FIDM will face from other schools, and if we are up on the same level as students graduating from other universities. I can't help but think this because, this is the security that FIDM did promise me when entering this institute, and now I am doubting if I could even compete with students from other schools?

I think the reason for this is doubt comes from our schools structure itself and the fact that it is a for profit university. Although I do believe that there are good, and qualified instructors at fidm, I feel as if though the problem is the lack of interest, as students learning enrichment and education to be the schools top priority. I think of how the school is more focused on expansion of endowment, instead of the cultivation of their current student body. Do not get me wrong, again, I believe that FIDM does have instructors who are great not only at their profession in the industry but in educating students as well but, I believe that the numbers of these instructors fall short. For what we pay for in tuition, and for our own school being an accredited university, I believe that every single one of our instructors should be an outstanding educator, and professional. I am baffled by some of the instructors, and even the curriculum that is taught at FIDM. Since FIDM does run as a for profit, it has the ability to higher professionals who have industry experience even if they only have an Associate of Arts degree. Although I do believe that many of these teachers are great in the industry, many of these instructors do not have the formal educational background, or a Masters, and in some cases even a Masters Degree. I can't help but think of how we are supposed to compete with schools, even HIGH SCHOOLS with more educated and qualified educators. I can't even begin to fathom how difficult it was for me to find out that my own classes at FIDM were not transferable, and that I had to take another year at a Junior College to apply to a 4 year university.

What I don't fully understand is that I do believe FIDM does have student's and instructors who are passionate, and most of all, it has every possible resource to change and be at a competitive level.

What I don't understand is why there has not been opposition, or at least why no one has exposed the school for what it actually encompasses, I can only hope better for current and prospective students, and that one day FIDM will be able to not only teach industry practices, but challenge them on an academic and intellectual level so they are not only preparing students for the industry, but for a well rounded education as well.

~ FIDM Advanced Studies Student

FIDM ranked #2 for best fashion school!

Huffington Post: So you want to work in fashion? Whether your interest lies in fashion design, journalism, or merchandising, these top fashion schools that can get your career off to a running start. Whether it's Parsons The New School For Design -- which boasts a seemingly endless list of fashion A-listers as alumni -- or Savannah College of Art and Design, which recently partnered with ELLE to show the work of their top students on the runways at New York Fashion Week Show, a degree from one of these top colleges will give you the edge you need to break into the cutthroat fashion world.

FIDM ranked #2! :) YAY!!!!

Full article here.

who run this mutha-? FIDM grads, bitch.

NY Alumni Chapter Holiday Dinner

Live the goodness

Life is difficult when you assume it to be so. Yet you never have to make that assumption.

Life is good when you allow it to be so. And you can always allow it to be.

It is not the situation itself that makes life one way or the other. It is the way you choose to view and to live the situation that makes all the difference.

Make the assumption that your life today is the very best it can possibly be. Then go out and prove that assumption true by the way you live.

Operate from a positive perspective and that will enable you to see the positive possibilities. Focus on visions of goodness and fulfillment, and the most valuable opportunities will fill your awareness.

You are immensely powerful, capable, and creative. See the goodness, be the goodness, live the goodness, and fill your life with the best possibilities.

— Ralph Marston

Looking for an internship?

Attn FIDM students! "Soraya by Rozi" a line by FIDM grad Rozi is currently looking for INTERNS! Email resume: Info@sorayabyrozi.com

FIDM Alums Review "Savage Beauty"

One of the many perks of being a FIDM grad and living in New York is getting the chance to attend the Savage Beauty Exhibit at the Met -- on FIDM (not having to pay is always the best part). Here, a couple of our grads give us a glimpse into the late McQueen's magical fashion realm. Click on the photo for more amazing shots or here for more coverage of the exhibit.


xoxo
FIDM Blog Girl

DEBUT 2011 - the main event!

FIDM proudly presents the DEBUT 2011 Runway Show. The only runway show of its kind on the West Coast, DEBUT annually attracts more than 8,000 people over 3 days and features design by graduating students in FIDM’s Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Advanced Study Programs as well as work from the Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Textile Design Students.

	Thursday, March 17 at 5:30pm - March 19 at 10:30pm
Location	Barker Hangar in Santa Monica

For more info, click here.

First Quarter FIDM Student TIPS!

Hi! I'm Olivia, and I was invited to join this blog a while ago, but didn't have the courage/info to post anything up until now! The thing that drew me to joining this blog was that I am a Beauty Industry Merchandising and Marketing major, and there aren't many posts on my major so I wanted to kind of help with that... These are just some tips for people who are going into their first quarter at FIDM. I'm positive there are things I've left out, so feel free to comment with some tips! I hope they help!

1. Don’t count on your teacher knowing your name: I had a teacher that didn’t know my name until week 9. Because you only see teachers once a week, sometimes less if there is a holiday, it is hard for them to get to know you. But here is my suggestion to make yourself stand out. Volunteer/PARTICIPATE a lot in class. If you are constantly raising your hand, the teacher will ask for your name until they know it.

2. Talk to everyone in your classes: I don’t live on campus, so it’s really hard for me to make friends. I’ve kind of been in my shell for this quarter, which I definitely regret. In January I definitely plan on engaging more with my classmates. You never know who may hit it big in the next few years. They might need a job from you, or the other way around. Networking is essential at FIDM

3. Start any final projects the first day you hear about it: for my retail class, we had a huge course project. I was slacking and didn’t start on the binder until the weekend before it was due. I definitely regret that because I had both internet and printer malfunctions when I still had things to do. It’s easy to get ahead of the game when you first hear about a project. You can revise your homework when it’s handed back, buy your binder/folder to display it in, start looking for and printing out pictures, etc. Working at the last minute isn’t good because then you discover after you turn it in, that there are components missing, which happened to me.

4. Use folders for your classes: I bought binders for my classes and they hardly got used. However, one teacher required a folder, so I did it, and ended up finding it much more useful than a binder. I put handouts on one side, and all of my completed work on the other side.

5. Prepare for the worst: be prepared for your computer to not work, your printer to fail, etc. I’d definitely recommend to start printing and organizing important homework assignments a week before it’s due, especially if it’s a final. Carry it on a flash drive or email it to yourself just in case, so you can print it in the annex (free) or library ($) before class.

6. Arrive early: I take the metro to school, and arrive 1-2 hours early to school every day. Plan for traffic, etc. it’s also good to be early to ask the teacher questions, print out work, or do some extra studying. When you appear early in class, it makes you stand out, and may help the teacher remember you. I think there’s a quote somewhere that says “15 minutes early is late”- I’d go by that. Especially because FIDM likes us to be 15 minutes early to class. However, if you have a class right before that in a different building, it’s totally acceptable. Just try your hardest to be early or on time.

7. Wake up at 6am to register: when you have to register for your 2nd quarter on your specified date, you can do it any time in the day or after. I’d definitely suggest going on the portal at 6am to get all the classes you need. First of all, the early bird gets the worm, and second of all, you can see if your internet is working. If you try to register at the last minute and it fails, you’re not registered! But, when you’re registering for 2nd quarter you kind of get shafted because it’s one of the middle/last days to register, so if other students register before you, they may take the class times you need.

8. Don’t let your grades suffer for anything: drop the social life, school is more important. Don’t slack on studying/doing homework. FIDM is only 10 weeks per class/quarter…so it would suck to pay around 1k to take a class you failed. It’s easy to get good grades in classes if you do your work and study a fair amount.

9. Check the newsletter and portal: there was a good opportunity for people in my major (beauty) a few weeks ago. I don’t really read the newsletter, so I saw it the day after it happened, and I was very pissed. FIDM isn’t that great with communicating major-related things in my opinion. So to avoid that, just pick up the newsletter at the beginning of each week.

10. Deal with group projects: always have your end, and if you have a slacker in your group, be prepared to do their part. Keep in touch with all group members and try to have things done early. Always have a back up of any presentations or homework assignments on your flash drive and on your email to eliminate risk of losing the paper/technology failure. Try to get along with all of your group members so it becomes less stressful. But, don’t try to do everything for the group. In a group project I had, I felt like I was putting in too much work compared to everyone else, and it stressed me out, and kind of made me drop the ball in my other classes. Try to keep it as proportionate as possible.

Hope these tips help everyone out! Best of luck!

To hear more from Olivia Frescura about the beauty major at FIDM, follow my blog! http://www.oliviafrescura.com

Can a student with an AA degree from FIDM transfer to FIT for a Bachelor degree?

Answers:
"You have several choices when it comes to FIDM. I attended and am working in the industry with my AA degree but I am now working on my BS at FIDM. FIT grads with a BA are still a year or two behind FIDM AA grads. I have worked with both in the industry and there is no comparison. FIDM does now have the BS in Business Management that is a great option but not required by the industry. If your goal it to work in NY stay there and attend FIT if not you should go to FIDM or another college on the west coast. Right now no one can touch what FIDM does. Hope that helps." --Nikki

"FIDM really provided everything I needed to make it in the industry. I got my A.A and landed a great position after graduating. I have also visited FIT and New York and loved it there too but in the end I knew that I could make a name for myself in California and Los Angeles. I owe my sucess to FIDM's education and if anything I personally feel that anyone can make it anywhere if they really apply themselves to looking for positions in the fashion and entertainment industries. I interned while at FIDM in a Merchandise Marketing Assistant position for a local designer and then was offered a full time job for a well known fashion company. But, its never too late to start looking out there to get into the industry because FIDM has plenty of resources and job positions available at their Career Center. My Career Advisor couldnt have been more helpful and I still keep in touch with her today. In the end it is really your decision but I am glad I let FIDM take me as far as it could. I am glad I gave myself a chance to see if my heart and dreams could really belong in L.A. I do see travel in my future in my current position so New York might be a place where I can start a career there as well! Who knows but I am really loving where I am now!" --Anonymous

yotam & vicky b.

FIDM Alum, Yotam Solomon with superstar Victoria Beckham, on the set of their LG shoot. Where FASHION and TECHNOLOGY (& gorgeous people) collide. Pretty sweet. :)

CDG 2010

Last night, I had the opportunity to work at the Costume Designers Guild Awards held at the Beverly Hilton. The CDG is an annual event that honors the costume designers for television and film and this year it was sponsored by Swaroski and Lacoste. I rushed there right after FIDM and had to do a quick-change in the car (in the LA traffic)! When I got there, it was non-stop madness. I assisted the producer the whole night--running around after her, getting passes, calling reps, confirming presenters, trying to get the final script to print, carrying multiple phones and walkie-talkies, escorting celebrities, setting up the green room, getting press ready... and on and on and on--this producer was everywhere, she worked so hard, she was like superwoman! She made this show happen and I can't imagine being in her shoes (but I was surely running after them). There were some moment of panic though -- like when we couldn't find Nicole Kidman. But after all the craziness backstage, the show ran smoothly. Spotted plenty of other A-listers...like Emily Blunt, Anna Paguin, Jayma Mays, Alan Cumming, Kristen Bell, Anna Kendrick, Roma Maffia, and Jessalyn Gilsig. I also got to meet the brilliant costume designer and FIDM Alumna, Mona May! Overall, it was a beautiful night and a magical event honoring some of the most talented and creative minds in the industry. Kudos to jLine Group!

oh juicy, fidm alums.

Juicy Couture’s Founders Have Left the Company...

"The Post suggests the two are leaving because the company just isn't doing quite as well these days. Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's are cutting back on floor space for Juicy, according to the Post. The label's sales also dipped 7.8 percent in the third quarter. Gela and Pamela are expected to stay on as creative consultants for the label while they busy themselves with fun new projects and, you know, cool themselves with fans made of money."

Read more about it.

can't afford a dress form?

make your own! check out how two fidm grads used duck tape to make a home-made dress form clones of their bodies...

pretty genius, i know. ;-)

Question of the Week

How are classes at FIDM different from other colleges?

Class is just like any other school, you register, you show up, there's an instructor, there's homework/assignments/projects...but the material is all fashion based. Math classes have to do with retail, and cost, and markdowns, science has to do with textiles, history has to do with costume.. etc etc. The classes are pretty small, and the teachers vary. I picked most of my classes based on the teacher. Ratemyprofessor.com is a great resource for knowing about teachers before you pick a class.

Take the stairs. Thats my one advice!

- Lana, Merchandise Marketing

BLISS by Monique Lhuillier

FIDM grad and wedding gown extraordinaire, Monique Lhuillier has designed a brand new and... (wait for it....) affordable collection called BLISS. This collection will include 14 fabulous dresses, all ranging from $2,400 to $3,500. Not sure when this line will hit the stores, but all you bride-to-be's should be on the look-out! You could be walking down the aisle wearing a "Monique" original without breaking the bank! Now that's something to be blissful about! Mazel Tov!