Ciel Kullman

Finding Her Cool Career in International Product Development!

"California should be its own country," laughs FIDM grad Ciel Kullman, 25. "It just doesn't compare to anywhere else." Growing up in perpetually rainy Seattle, Ciel (pronounced see-elle) always considered fashion a hobby, but says she never thought of doing it as a career.

While working as a salesperson for the urban youth retail shop Mr. Rags, Ciel was promoted to buyer at the age of 19, due to her great eye for fashion and her work ethic. "I got a call from a headhunter who started asking me all these job-related questions," Ciel says. "I thought I knew it all and I realized I didn't really know anything." While at Bon Marché, a Seattle department store, Ciel noticed FIDM's name on a Rampage hangtag, and she decided to request more information. She knew that she would need a solid education in order to fully realize her goals. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Los Angeles to attend FIDM.

After completing a two-year degree in Merchandise Marketing, Ciel traveled to Taiwan to learn more about culture and business and then attended the London College of Fashion. Upon her return to Los Angeles a few months later, Ciel began her third year of study at FIDM, after being accepted into the International Product Development major.

A few months prior to getting her degree in International Product Development, the Career Center helped Ciel attain a paid internship with Adidas, where she stayed for four months. Around that time, Claire's, the accessories giant, acquired her former employer Mr. Rags. The retail chain moved their headquarters from Seattle to Long Beach, CA so Ciel took the initiative and contacted her former boss. "I just said that I was graduating and to keep me in mind," she explains. "It all just worked out really well."

Hired by Mr. Rags, the company she first worked for as a teen, Ciel is one busy graduate! Working as a Juniors Designer in Brand Management & Development, her job responsibilities include maintaining correspondence with the factories in Asia, sourcing fabrics and trims, and following up on purchase order entry, modifications, and inspection certificates. "I do everything," she exclaims. "Sometimes I work 14 hour days, but I honestly love it and still go home with a smile on my face."

At FIDM, Ciel learned about merchandising, design, product development, marketing, and international apparel manufacturing. She says her "jack-of-all-trades" education really paid off. "That's how I really got this position," she says. "I knew the whole picture."

In addition to carrying popular clothing labels such as Sean John, J.Lo, and Ecko, Mr. Rags stocks three private label lines of their own. "Private label is about merchandising and design," Ciel explains. "You find the void of what's already coming in from branded goods and match the quality and look." Ciel designs a private label junior's line called R Lab, and helps manage Gridlock, a skate line and P4E, a men's urban line. Mr. Rags boasts 154 stores nationwide and targets the urban street and skate market.

Ciel is one of the biggest FIDM fans around. "FIDM honestly is my savior in a way," she explains. "They don’t hold your hand the whole way through, but they hold it long enough until you know you can do it yourself. I call FIDM all the time and thank them for teaching me."

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication