Fashion Design grad Ahna Tillmanns '07 is the North American Director of Fashionspace.com!
Sure we all know about MySpace, Facebook and even Etsy. Fashion and art lovers
are coming together at Fashionspace.com, where you can purchase items from
up-and-coming designers and sell items in your personalized shop. Ahna's
responsibilities as the North American Director of Fashionspace.com vary
greatly each day. She may be hitting up the Rose Bowl Market talking to vendors
and collecting emails or sending promotional materials to art and design schools
or speaking to the CFDA about collaborations. "I keep up with all of the Web 2.0
expansion, as it's the future of the industry," says Ahna. "Being a start-up
company means that every involved wears a lot of hats."
A Louisiana native, Ahna attended Central Catholic High School and initially
heard about FIDM through a friend. Since fashion was always her forte and she
had been living in Los Angeles it seemed like the perfect time to go back to
school. "I use pretty much everything I learned at FIDM in my day-to-day," she
says. "The value of connections is huge. Never understimate the wonderful
people who teach you and your peers. We're all in it for the same passion."
Ahna's favorite designers include Chloe ("especially the Phoebe Philo era"),
Missoni ("always beautiful, colorful, and unique") and Dries Van Noten ("a
wonderful combination of femininity and masculinity in every collection"). The
fashion website offers independent designers and artists a place to buy, sell
or swap designed or vintage fashion and network with other like-minded fashion
lovers. Ahna says the variety and fact that she can "help people help
themselves" is the best part of her job.
Visual Communications graduate Denise Shaw ’01 Dresses On Air Talent for E! Entertainment Television!
When it comes to entertainment television, the on air talent can be just as
stylish and chic as the celebrities that they cover. Denise Shaw '01 studied
Visual Communications at the Los Angeles campus and says that FIDM taught her
to be "self motivated, on time and prepared." These lessons sure have come in
handy since Denise has a fast-paced job as Wardrobe Stylist at E!
Entertainment. She works with on air talent Jason Kennedy, Kristin Dos Santos
and Ashlan Gorse to get them camera ready, whether it’s for a sit down
interview, on the set at E! News, or on the red carpet at major events like the
Emmys.
"I've always had an interest in fashion and found out more about it at FIDM online," says
Denise, a Canadian native who moved to Phoenix during high school and attended
Mountain Pointe. "I love that each day I have a new challenge. I usually find
out the hosts' schedules on very short notice and I need to find them the
perfect outfit. I definitely put a lot of miles on my car!" Denise says that
she spends a typical day visiting factories, PR companies, the studio, stores,
showrooms and tailors. Since the industry is competitive Denise encourages
current students to get a part time job or internship to compliment their
education. Prior to E!, Denise worked at Tiffany & Co., as a freelance visual
merchandiser and Club Monaco Assistant Manager.
Well-heeled Footwear Design Alumni Kim Dingman '06 is all about sexy shoes with her line Jen + Kim.
Albany, New York native Kim Dingman '06 was searching for a Footwear Design program and finally found FIDM after looking at numerous schools. "A strong curriculum in technicality gave me a good background in how a shoe needs to be proportioned and fit," says Kim, who worked with Prima Royal in their MUDD Junior Division while at FIDM. "Learning the practices of the
industry was also extremely helpful in surviving my first few years in
the field of footwear." Available in Los Angeles at Apartment 3 and Tres Jolie, Jen + Kim Shoes have carved a niche in the market with their limited edition styles and custom offerings. "We enlisted help from a friend who knew factories in China and we made some samples there," she explains. "After six months we decided to go domestic and moved to L.A. to develop our shoes here."
With the help of a great cobbler, the label releases one size run of each style in sizes 5 through 11. "We always knew we wanted to start a business together," she says. "We had a passion for independent work and we realized we were destined to start something. "
The handcrafted batches are originals, often times incorporating vintage or one-of-a-kind materials. The sexy heels are actually comfortable thanks to highly padded insoles. Jen + Kim shoes have been featured in photo shoots for Jeffrey Sebelia of "Project Runway" fame, on Kim Kardashian in J’Adore magazine and in 944 and L.A. Direct. "The future of Jen + Kim is limitless because we are young, dedicated and talented and have a drive to create a successful business," adds Kim, who is inspired by materials and shapes. "I see us manufacturing on a larger scale sooner than later and causing a buzz in the footwear scene."
FIDM graduates Elisabeth Joy Murray '05 and Salpy Talian '07 are working side-by-side at the creative branding and publicity firm BrandingIron Worldwide.
It's all about creativity at Los Angeles-based BrandingIron Worldwide, a branding agency and publicity firm that's home to two FIDM alums. Elisabeth Joy Murray '05, who is the Art Director, has been at BrandingIron for over a year, while Salpy Talian '07 has been a Graphic Designer for about six months. While the duo didn't know each other while studying Graphic Design at FIDM, they now work together on a daily (and sometimes nightly when it's deadline time) basis.
"We're lucky to have a great deal of creative freedom in what we do, but we also like to show very chic and tailored work, so being able to understand what the client is looking for, and then editing to their taste is an essential part of the job," says Elisabeth, a southern California native who turned to FIDM when it came time to higher a junior designer. "I found Salpy through a former mutual teacher, John Urquiza." Elizabeth notes that BrandingIron has hired other FIDM alumni for internships as well.
Salpy, who grew up in Glendale, California and didn't know that Elisabeth was a fellow graduate until the job interview, says that FIDM Instructors were the most influential part of her time at FIDM. "I loved hearing their stories about how they got where they are today, she says. "They were role models for me, and I definitely looked up to them, and still do today. As an instructor talked about their success I remember telling myself, 'I want that; I want to be where they are.' And that's helped me to achieve my goals."
Both Salpy and Elisabeth are currently in the midst of one of the biggest projects of their lives: an international advertising campaign for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Luckily both graduates feel prepared for this fast-paced industry thanks to their time at FIDM. "I've always enjoyed art, but FIDM also taught me how to streamline my ideas, as well as how to make them more commercial and relatable," adds Elisabeth. "I actually received the FIDM Graphic Design Award upon graduation, after starting with very few relevant skills, so I'd say that's proof enough that FIDM really offers a wealth of information in preparing students for the outside world."
Visual Communications Grad Jolene Garcia's '03 Children's Clothing Line, Penny & Maude, Has Serious Style!
Talk about double duty. In 2005, alumna Jolene Garcia '03 founded Oakland, California-based Penny & Maude (named after her family cats), the same year that she had her second baby. This Bay Area entrepreneur does it all: she's the owner, designer, product developer, marketing department, web designer, order processor, shipping department, and accountant of the children's clothing collection! Products include hair accessories, jewelry, cotton tops and bottoms for boys and girls, pillows, totes and whimsical graphic t-shirts featuring everything from owls to penguins and fishbowls. A typical day for Jolene includes checking emails, researching online for buttons, fabrics and trims, meetings with the patternmaker, sewing factory, buyer or screen printer and design work. "The industry has seasons so there's times where you're taking a lot of orders and then you have times where you're packing all the orders and sending them out," Jolene explains.
Born in Greenbrae, California and raised in Novato, California, Jolene first heard about FIDM while in high school and decided to major in Visual Communications at the San Francisco campus. While in school, Jolene worked as a manager for a small gift shop and also had an internship with Spiral Design, a custom invitation company. "Seeing all my hard work pay off and hearing nice things people say about my designs is the best part," she says. "I also love it when people from far away find out about me." You can find Penny & Maude at retailers such as Waddle and Swaddle in Berkeley, Pulp in Los Angeles, Green Genes in Chicago and at online boutiques such as Apple of my Eye and Polkadot Patch.
Sure we all know about MySpace, Facebook and even Etsy. Fashion and art lovers
are coming together at Fashionspace.com, where you can purchase items from
up-and-coming designers and sell items in your personalized shop. Ahna's
responsibilities as the North American Director of Fashionspace.com vary
greatly each day. She may be hitting up the Rose Bowl Market talking to vendors
and collecting emails or sending promotional materials to art and design schools
or speaking to the CFDA about collaborations. "I keep up with all of the Web 2.0
expansion, as it's the future of the industry," says Ahna. "Being a start-up
company means that every involved wears a lot of hats."
When it comes to entertainment television, the on air talent can be just as
stylish and chic as the celebrities that they cover. Denise Shaw '01 studied
Visual Communications at the Los Angeles campus and says that FIDM taught her
to be "self motivated, on time and prepared." These lessons sure have come in
handy since Denise has a fast-paced job as Wardrobe Stylist at E!
Entertainment. She works with on air talent Jason Kennedy, Kristin Dos Santos
and Ashlan Gorse to get them camera ready, whether it’s for a sit down
interview, on the set at E! News, or on the red carpet at major events like the
Emmys.
Albany, New York native Kim Dingman '06 was searching for a Footwear Design program and finally found FIDM after looking at numerous schools. "A strong curriculum in technicality gave me a good background in how a shoe needs to be proportioned and fit," says Kim, who worked with Prima Royal in their MUDD Junior Division while at FIDM. "Learning the practices of the
industry was also extremely helpful in surviving my first few years in
the field of footwear." Available in Los Angeles at Apartment 3 and Tres Jolie, Jen + Kim Shoes have carved a niche in the market with their limited edition styles and custom offerings. "We enlisted help from a friend who knew factories in China and we made some samples there," she explains. "After six months we decided to go domestic and moved to L.A. to develop our shoes here."
It's all about creativity at Los Angeles-based BrandingIron Worldwide, a branding agency and publicity firm that's home to two FIDM alums. Elisabeth Joy Murray '05, who is the Art Director, has been at BrandingIron for over a year, while Salpy Talian '07 has been a Graphic Designer for about six months. While the duo didn't know each other while studying Graphic Design at FIDM, they now work together on a daily (and sometimes nightly when it's deadline time) basis.
Talk about double duty. In 2005, alumna Jolene Garcia '03 founded Oakland, California-based Penny & Maude (named after her family cats), the same year that she had her second baby. This Bay Area entrepreneur does it all: she's the owner, designer, product developer, marketing department, web designer, order processor, shipping department, and accountant of the children's clothing collection! Products include hair accessories, jewelry, cotton tops and bottoms for boys and girls, pillows, totes and whimsical graphic t-shirts featuring everything from owls to penguins and fishbowls. A typical day for Jolene includes checking emails, researching online for buttons, fabrics and trims, meetings with the patternmaker, sewing factory, buyer or screen printer and design work. "The industry has seasons so there's times where you're taking a lot of orders and then you have times where you're packing all the orders and sending them out," Jolene explains.
