For example one of my favorite blogs The Fashion Bomb features a great section Breaking into Fashion. It's one of my favorite sections on the blog; read my interview with the creator here. In the most recent post the interviewee made a comment that having a great outfit is not enough to get you to make it in the business and went on dropping names that I am not familiar with so what did I do? Googled them duh! I don't know these people but what I do know is that someone who is currently at my potential Point B feels them important enough to say that knowledge of these people and their works can get you on the short list to employment. She also stated that having well rounded industry knowledge can have a great impact on career building. Go to the site and read the whole interview, but the point I am making for this post is this:

-Don't embarrassed if you don't know, just ask. They never lied when they said close mouths don't get fed, it's the same with your mind.
-Have enough PASSION about your Freeway and reaching your Point B to do some research on your own. TAKE INITIATIVE!
-Kill the excuses. You are the only one responsible for your success or failure, so let's make it the former.

Let me give you some examples of things that I totally had to look up:

1. Flagship Stores - definition
   
2. Fashion Group International
   
3. Rag and Bones clothing
   

Now some of my loyal readers are already in the industry so the above is second language to them and some of you still don't know what I'm talking about. That's okay, I didn't know. but it's not just about terms and people, it's organizations too. Are you wondering if there is a Footwear Designers of America organization or Jewelry Assembler's Union? Look it up. How will you know if you don't check? Fill in those crack yourself or just don't be mad at the person that did and is whizzing past you on their Freeway to your Point B.

Happy Travels and get to Filling those Cracks!

*photo ctsy of flikr

I am the type of traveler who likes to do large amounts of research before I head on a journey. Google Maps, Yahoo Travel, blogs, you name it I read it and I am no different when it comes to my Fashion Freeway.

Before coming to LA and FIDM I joined Facebook groups, subscribed to blogs and sites by alumni and watch Project Runway and The Hills (insert eye roll and sarcastic comment here)-like no body's business. But there is nothing like talking to an alumni directly about the ups and downs of being a student and trying to break into the industry.

I am a Merchandise Product Development major and while browsing a discussion on fb my attention was grabbed by Product Development alum T.L. White who's comment is now the title of this post. Remember my Road Maps interview with FIDM Alum Stacie Rutherford, Apparel Manufacturing major? Read it again here.

Both alumna stress that fact that our program is intense and a lot of hard work - and I totally agree. I have already had two quizzes in two of my classes and two projects next week for my Brand Development and Textile Science classes. 6 hours a week is recommended for my sketching class and my last quiz proves it to be needed, and I know that once the sewing part of Apparel Process I (one) starts I will be focusing on that too.

T.L. White had some great words of wisdom that I have cut and paste here with her permission. Read and Learn:


T.L. White:
I will start off by saying that whether you go to FIDM or not you really have to know that fashion is truly what you want to do and its not just a hobby. Many people will go to FIDM for a year or less and then drop out.

The 1st year at FIDM, your taking mostly general education classes such as English, math, history and at least 1 or 2 classes each quarter that relate to your major*. A lot of people get the perception that they are going to FIDM to only learn about fashion. You walk out of FIDM feeling rounded. And the Product Development major gives you an insight to both the designing aspect and business side of the industry.

All of the teachers have worked in the industry they're teaching and they always have great stories to tell that will stick in your mind forever.

They have great resources and a career center; when you graduate you have access to a special part of the school site were you get really good job postings. They (advisers) will recommend jobs to you and go over whats on the site.

I got all of my great jobs through Cragislist, and having the FIDM name definitly gets you through the door ahead of others. You have to intern for well known companies and you can go anywhere after that.

Me:
Did you intern during your time with the company you are currently with or with others that helped you decide to work in the position you currently hold?

T.L. White:

*=This is only if you do not have a previous degree. If you have a previous degree you are entered into the Professional Designation Program and take only major courses. Some of which can be transferred depending on your previous curriculum.

I am very grateful for this information and I know that many of you out there can benefit from it even if you aren't a FIDM student. Leave a Stamp and have a great weekend. I'm off to do my projects. Happy Travels!

For anyone that knows me they know exactly where I am going with this title. By the grace of God - because I refuse to believe it was anything else- my Fashion Freeway led me to the position of Baby Phat Footwear Intern! Guess who is updating her resume today!


The story of how it all happened will come later in another post. I really want to highlight some lessons learned during this 6 hour experience. For each hour there is a new lesson learned:

Know what you want and WRITE IT DOWN!
-Before I ever stepped foot in California or even thought of applying to FIDM I knew that I wanted to work for Kimora Lee Simmons and Baby Phat in some form and on more than one occasion I wrote it down and talked about it to the point that my friends could probably recite my dreams and drive by heart.

Build bridges and be mindful of who you surround yourself with.
-I have to honor my friend and fellow classmate who made this possible by thinking of me on a day she just happened to be going to the showrooms (more on that later).

Don't be shy! If you want something the only one that can get it for you is YOU!
-I remember the first day of class when my friend said that she used to work for the Phat Farm show rooms and I blurted out "What I'm the BIGGEST Kimora Lee Simmons fan ever!" everyone laughed at that but she took my passion seriously, and to her I am grateful.
-Once I met my now current employers I was not afraid to let them know my passion for the brand and it's CEO. I was also very clear about my long-term goals and where I would like to take my career.

Pay attention to the way you dress - you never know when you might be invited to the launching of the Baby Phat showroom!
-My story will have funny anecdotes about this experience but always try to dress your best. An outfit that will go from day to evening even if you are just going to class is always best. I have only been in school for a little under three weeks and have been in front of, or around cameras almost each week. (just last week they were shooting Prison Break at the park on campus and looking for extras)

Learn peoples names and what they do. Just ask....it works.
-People love to talk about themselves and what they do. Also I have found that there are people who are just as clueless, if not more so, as you. I was actually at the launching of the Baby Phat showroom where people didn't even know who Kimora Lee Simmons was!

Keep an open mind and learn how to FILL IN THE CRACKS!
Ask me what I do and insert the obligatory smile and nod. I officially start next week so I will keep you updated on my lessons learned. And stay tuned to the full story of how this all happened.

For those who don't know me I have gotten comments like "Wow you are lucky!" or "What dumb luck!" So please take note:
This is not dumb luck I have wanted this for a long time!

When you want something bad enough line yourself up and the events and people in your life to make it happen! Read the "Lessons of the Hour" and go for it! You know the motto:

"One Step Forward, Just Glance Back! No Fear, Just DIVA"
*Please understand this is in no means my Point B and I am still traveling along my Freeway, but this is just letting me know that I am going in the right direction.

I have some serious adjusting to do with the new schedule and I would like to see some changes in my blog. So until I can sit down and get this thing looking the way I want giving the same message of finding your Fashion Freeway as I find mine I need you all to bear with me for a bit. Like a week or two.....Until then Happy Travels!