Merchandise Marketing/Product Development Alumna Melanie Owen '95 is Riding the Wave of Success at Quiksilver!
As the Vice President of Design for Roxy, the clothing, accessories, footwear, surf, and snow line that's the girl's division of Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver, Melanie Owen '95 wears a lot of different hats. "I love managing a great team of talented designers, inspiring and getting inspired on a daily basis, and watching a product evolve from sketch to final proto," says Melanie, who has been with Quiksilver since 2007, and previously worked with Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn prior. "The challenges are getting overseas factories to execute the vision of the design correctly." Melanie believes strongly in working for companies that you love or aspire to. "You have to love what you do everyday or you will want to quit; I love seeing the way that great companies operate," she says.
The Merchandise Marketing/Product Development Grad learned about FIDM from a visit to her high school. "I loved the campus and could not believe that there was a college for fashion," says Melanie, who is originally from the L.A. area. She says that FIDM taught her all of the building blocks that are essential for establishing a successful career. From flat sketching and sewing to marketing, merchandising, and textiles, Melanie was ready for the work force. But after 15 years in the industry, this alumna has some tips for students and new graduates. "I wanted to be in design, but could only find jobs in production and pattern making to start," she says. "Knowing that side of the business made me a better designer and manager. Work hard and always be willing to learn new things and when you stop learning move on."
Celebrity stylists gave students and alumni an inside look at the business in this fascinating panel, hosted by FIDM. Tanya Gill (she’s dressed Hilary Swank and Kate Winslet), George Kotsiopoulus (Style Director of C Magazine), and assistant to top stylists Renelou Pandora were the special guests. Margaret Schell of SPR, who has represented and produced fashion shows for such designers as Badgley Mischka, Norma Kamali, and Vivienne Tam, among others, moderated the event.
International Manufacturing & Product Development Grad Adriana Obregon '04 Finds Success in San Diego!
After receiving a degree in Merchandise Product Development in 2003, Adriana went on to the third year Advanced Study Program for International Manufacturing & Product Development. Today, Adriana works as a Product Developer for K.Roque, a premium denim manufacturer in San Diego. "The most rewarding thing is having my customer smile when we turn the finished product in on time and at their quality standards," she says. "But this is also the most difficult thing too!" Born in Los Angeles, Adriana’s family moved to Mexico when she was 12, and she stayed there for high school.
Upon graduation, the family headed back to the U.S., settling in San Diego. So it made sense that Adriana enrolled at the San Diego campus for her first year before moving to Los Angeles. "What I liked the most was the networking that I did, the location of the campus in the Fashion District, and till this day I still keep in touch with some of my teachers and classmates," she says. " The best lessons I learned were team work, always making a good first impression, knowing how to market yourself, and the networking tools since you never know who you might be working for tomorrow."
Her typical day is spent inside a factory where everything from denim to athletic knitwear to woven items is created. Adriana attends daily fittings with the patternmaker, sources all trims, fabrics, and components and organizes all of the fashion and sale events that they have quarterly. While her primary position is with K.Roque, she also manages all of the development for their other private label customers. "Government contracts are something we are thinking about incorporating, such as manufacturing for military uniforms, and I’m doing all of the research and managing this project," she adds. "This is an example of being open to opportunities and I know it will benefit me in the long run!"
To learn more you can visit K.Roque by clicking here.
Interior Design Maven Michele Rose Coseo '89 is the Owner of Savannah Design Group!
"I am an Interior Design junkie," reports alumna Michele Rose Coseo ‘89, owner and principal interior designer of the Savannah Design Group based in Escondido, California. "I am inspired by just about everything that I look at whether it’s the mountains that surround my home in Valley Center or a mismatched outfit put on by my five-year-old daughter. It’s the idea that creativity is endless and something to celebrate." Design was probably in the Libertyville, Illinois native’s blood. Her mom is an interior designer and her dad is a contractor. The Interior Design graduate founded her business in 1998, and today is a leader in model home design for national builders. The Savannah Design Group is known for breathing life and creating personality and lifestyle from a lifeless floor plan.
Michele describes a typical day as "non stop" since she is always kicking off new projects, meeting clients, and viewing new product to stay abreast of the latest and greatest in fabrics and furniture. "I love my team meetings when each designer expresses their vision," says Michele, who heard about FIDM while attending high school in Littleton, Colorado. Savannah Design Group approaches each project with hands-on involvement and a commitment to every detail no matter how small. Since Michele and her team are now transitioning into residential design, that means dealing with client’s likes and dislikes, and meeting the personal expectations that they have. "The most rewarding thing is to see how an environment that I helped shape is enjoyed and appreciated by my clients," she says.
Lovers of the Outdoors Can't Get Enough of Apparel Manufacturing Grad Alan Yiu's '01 Westcomb Outerwear!
As the Creative Director and Founder of Vancouver-based Westcomb, Apparel Manufacturing grad Alan Yiu ’01 has taken the industry by storm with his high-tech meets high-style outerwear company. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Alan went to high school in Ukiah, California before returning to his hometown to attend college. Alan was later working in a contracting facility and realized that he was lacking the basic skill set relating to construction and industry jargon, which made work difficult and less efficient. "I needed the text book knowledge to supplement my hands-on experience and time was of the essence," he explains. "FIDM offered an accelerated program that worked within my time constraints and provided the foundation which ultimately helped me get to where I am today." While the Apparel Manufacturing Management Program was intense and required discipline, Alan says that developing a sense of urgency and dealing with deadlines helped him get accustomed to the ups and downs and last minute surprises that the industry has to offer. Six months after graduation, Alan started thinking of his options and while Westcomb wasn't his first idea it was the one that stuck.
Today the brand is hit with those who love the outdoors and Westcomb has received awards from Skiing magazine, Polartec and Backpacker magazine. "It has always been my goal to create a line that was extremely technical yet progressively styled and versatile," says Alan, an avid snowboarder who takes advantage of British Columbia's incredible mountains. "My mandate is to use materials from the industry's recognized innovators, and manufacturing processes that allow our products to have a level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that is unrivaled." The men's and women's line features everything from high-tech hoodies to cargo pants with lumbar support. "The best part is truly the sense of satisfaction you get from reading a thank you email to winning battles with competitors who say you can't," adds Alan. "Being recognized for creating industry firsts and creating products that truly rival if not excel the industry's best is a source of tremendous pride for myself and the Westcomb team."
As the Vice President of Design for Roxy, the clothing, accessories, footwear, surf, and snow line that's the girl's division of Huntington Beach-based Quiksilver, Melanie Owen '95 wears a lot of different hats. "I love managing a great team of talented designers, inspiring and getting inspired on a daily basis, and watching a product evolve from sketch to final proto," says Melanie, who has been with Quiksilver since 2007, and previously worked with Williams Sonoma/Pottery Barn prior. "The challenges are getting overseas factories to execute the vision of the design correctly." Melanie believes strongly in working for companies that you love or aspire to. "You have to love what you do everyday or you will want to quit; I love seeing the way that great companies operate," she says.
After receiving a degree in Merchandise Product Development in 2003, Adriana went on to the third year Advanced Study Program for International Manufacturing & Product Development. Today, Adriana works as a Product Developer for K.Roque, a premium denim manufacturer in San Diego. "The most rewarding thing is having my customer smile when we turn the finished product in on time and at their quality standards," she says. "But this is also the most difficult thing too!" Born in Los Angeles, Adriana’s family moved to Mexico when she was 12, and she stayed there for high school. 
"I am an Interior Design junkie," reports alumna Michele Rose Coseo ‘89, owner and principal interior designer of the Savannah Design Group based in Escondido, California. "I am inspired by just about everything that I look at whether it’s the mountains that surround my home in Valley Center or a mismatched outfit put on by my five-year-old daughter. It’s the idea that creativity is endless and something to celebrate." Design was probably in the Libertyville, Illinois native’s blood. Her mom is an interior designer and her dad is a contractor. The Interior Design graduate founded her business in 1998, and today is a leader in model home design for national builders. The Savannah Design Group is known for breathing life and creating personality and lifestyle from a lifeless floor plan.
As the Creative Director and Founder of Vancouver-based Westcomb, Apparel Manufacturing grad Alan Yiu ’01 has taken the industry by storm with his high-tech meets high-style outerwear company. Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Alan went to high school in Ukiah, California before returning to his hometown to attend college. Alan was later working in a contracting facility and realized that he was lacking the basic skill set relating to construction and industry jargon, which made work difficult and less efficient. "I needed the text book knowledge to supplement my hands-on experience and time was of the essence," he explains. "FIDM offered an accelerated program that worked within my time constraints and provided the foundation which ultimately helped me get to where I am today." While the Apparel Manufacturing Management Program was intense and required discipline, Alan says that developing a sense of urgency and dealing with deadlines helped him get accustomed to the ups and downs and last minute surprises that the industry has to offer. Six months after graduation, Alan started thinking of his options and while Westcomb wasn't his first idea it was the one that stuck.
