In honor of New York Fashion Week (Feb. 9 – 16) , this month the blog theme centers on some of the awesome fashion resources and people to follow here in San Diego. First up was one of my favorite fashion bloggers, In Spades. Now, here is a little bit about the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in downtown San Diego next to Petco Park.
FIDM offer 26 (!) bachelor’s and associates degrees in creative fields such as fashion design; beauty industry marketing, merchandising, and management; graphic design; interior design, and product development. Their faculty are “talented industry professionals who bring their experience and connections into the classroom, creating a dynamic, career-focused learning environment.” FIDM offers part-time work and internships at top brands and businesses where they have formed partnerships. “These partnerships keep us up-to-date on changing trends and community needs, so our curriculum stays ahead of the curve,” their website says. FIDM was started in 1969 by Tonian Hohberg with two classrooms in downtown L.A.. It now has a student body of over 5000 people at four campuses: Los Angeles, San Francisco (since 1973), Orange County (since 1981), and San Diego (since 1985).
Check out a video tour of their amazing San Diego campus! I was in awe of this great space when I visited their building during a Collaborative Thread event a few years ago, where I posed outside for the photo on the right.
For high school students, FIDM has a 3 Days of Fashion Program in the summer as part of their Fashion Club, which sounds like an incredible opportunity.
I was interested to learn that for college degree holders, they offer a one-year Professional Designation A.A. program, and these graduates can then enroll in the special FIDM Bachelor’s or Advanced Studies programs. There are several of these one-year Designations I am considering that would make a good addition to my MBA and help toward the goal of working in online marketing in the corporate retail fashion or beauty industry. FIDM also offers their own MBA program for FIDM degree holders.
Events the public can enroll in:
March 18
FIDM’s Art of Fashion Illustration
We invite prospective students to join us on campus for this free Saturday workshop. See design through the eyes of a professional Fashion Illustrator and learn to draw the nine-head croquis fashion figure.
Learn More and RSVP
March 18
Sew Like a Designer
Learn basic sewing with a professional twist as we guide you through the process of making a skirt in one day.
RSVP Now
April 6
DEBUT Runway Show
Los Angeles Campus (bus trip from San Diego)
Join us for our annual DEBUT Runway Show featuring collections by graduating Advanced Fashion Design and Theatre Costume Design Students, as well as Digital Media, Interior Design and Textile Design Students.
RSVP NOW
Read more about Saturday classes and workshops