Industry Partnerships

FIDM & Pacific Sunwear

When readiness and drive meet opportunity, success happens. Just ask the ten talented students in FIDM’s International Manufacturing & Product Development program. They worked with industry partner Pacific Sunwear to complete this year’s IMPD challenge―creating a line of surf and skate lifestyle apparel, including new uniforms for PacSun’s Pre-Pro Surf Team!

The theme for the challenge was “Airwaves” and the team of students credit music, freedom, and movement as inspiration for the casual lifestyle collection. “Dressing casual has become a way of life in America, so naturally surf and skate gear―the epitome of casual clothing―has successfully crossed over as a major trend in the marketplace,” IMPD student Lauren Hamblin said of the trend analysis and research the group conducted. She, along with peers Tala Banatao, Jen Naylor, Kelly Greenhill, Allison Stelyn, Angelina Mamey, Leah Demaree, Kellie McIntyre, Rebekah Gelt, and Sasha Matheu, were involved in every step of manufacturing their collection.

“It was completely eye-opening to watch our designs go from concept to completion,” Gelt recalls. “We were able to take an idea, create a design out of it, and find the most efficient way to get it manufactured and sourced.” The students also learned the importance of technology and fit of a garment, as well as catering the designs to meet the needs and wants of the consumer. They also discovered the complexities of the sampling process, among other key factors, and they had the opportunity to visit garment manufacturing warehouses, fabric printers, and dye houses to gain invaluable hands-on experience.

Now, with the collection complete and graduation pending the group can relax a little, but not without first saying a big “Thank You” to their industry partner. “PacSun has been a wonderful mentor to us this year,” says Demaree. “They willingly gave a lot of their time and expertise. The design and product development teams [at Pac Sun] have been instrumental in the learning process.”