International Students

Charlotte Kim - Graduate
Seoul, South Korea
FIDM Fashion Design
Technical Designer, Volcom

South Korea native Charlotte Kim was born in Seoul, but immigrated to Southern California when she was 12 years old. She dreamed of attending a fashion college and studied Fashion Design at FIDM. Today she has a successful career at Volcom, a leading action sports company headquartered in Orange County, California.

What is the best part about attending FIDM?
They emphasize hands-on experience rather than just book knowledge. This was crucial for working in the fashion industry.

What was your favorite FIDM class?
Fashion Sketching. I’ve always enjoyed drawing because you’re free to create any kind of illusion and don’t have to worry about the technical aspect. Most of the sketching/flat drawing is done in Illustrator nowadays.

What do you love about working at Volcom?
Fashion is always evolving and I love the fact that my work is not always the same. Volcom has great work environment: positive, encouraging, and helpful, which is hard to find in the stressful garment industry.

As a Technical Designer, what are your responsibilities?
I attend the fittings with the Designer, make comments regarding fit, and am involved from the first prototype samples to the production samples. I set up specs based on the Designer’s flat sketch and make patterns for blocks for vendors to use.

What advice would you give to a student from Korean who wants to study at FIDM?
Dream big and be willing to work hard. Be prepared to work from the bottom up, from endlessly ripping seams to 3-D computer design. Anything you master will be an asset in the future.The fashion industry is a mixture of art and business. Pursue your dream with artistic passion and tangible hard work.

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

Bryan Kang - Graduate
Seoul, South Korea
FIDM Fashion Design
President of Rhapsody Clothing, Inc

Originally from South Korea, FIDM Fashion Design Graduate Bryan Kang is now a U.S. citizen and the president of Rhapsody Clothing, Inc., based in downtown Los Angeles. The company has an in-house team of designers, patternmakers, and overseas researchers who collaborate to create the Rhapsody line of clothing, which is sold worldwide. House of Snoopy, Betty Boop, and OLIVIA are licensed properties of Rhapsody Studio, a subsidiary of Rhapsody Clothing, Inc.

How did FIDM help prepare you for where you are now?
FIDM opened my eyes to the fashion industry. The valuable learning experiences, excellent curriculum, and outstanding instructors at FIDM became my biggest assets as I launched Rhapsody Clothing.

What are your future plans for Rhapsody?
I plan to grow Rhapsody into a total fashion company, like ZARA and UNIQLO, controlling product development, production, and retail sales - the entire process from beginning to end.

What was your favorite class at FIDM?
My favorite class was Nancy Riegelman's Fashion Sketching for Design. Ms. Riegelman's artistic passion and vast experience deeply influenced my work.

How is FIDM viewed in the fashion industry?
FIDM is a very practical institution compared to other fashion schools. All programs are focused mainly on skills that allow students to begin working immediately after they graduate.

What advice would you give a Korean student who wants to study at FIDM?
There is a really great opportunity at FIDM to experience cultural interchange between Korean students and other students who are not familiar with Korean culture. The experience will be beneficial throughout their life.

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

Quenby Go - Graduate
Manila, Philippines
FIDM Visual Communications Program
Owner, Design District

"I picked the San Francisco campus because I loved that museums like SFMOMA and all the top stores and retailers were just in reach from FIDM," says Quenby Go.

Quenby worked as a Visual Merchandiser for Banana Republic before launching her own company, Design District, which specializes in window, fashion, home, and event styling. "San Francisco is not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer and Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe are just short drives away!"

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

Ffiona Spilsbury - Student
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
FIDM Fashion Design Program

"FIDM made the move to the U.S. very easy and I felt so welcomed," says Ffiona Spilsbury, who is currently interning at a beauty company in Hollywood. "There are always events to go to and I have made some of my best friends here."

Ffiona chose FIDM because of its curriculum and ideal location. "I just love living in Southern California," she adds. "There is something for everyone – beaches, shopping, nightlife – and the weather easily beats British rain!"

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

Ji Soo Han - Graduate
Seoul, South Korea
FIDM Textile Design Program
Textile Designer

"I noticed that FIDM had a Textile Design major, which I really wanted to specialize in," says Ji Soo Han, who recently returned to Korea to work as a textile designer. "I chose the L.A. campus because it has a lot of variety and once I got a few tips about the lifestyle I handled it great."

While at FIDM, she even won a scholarship from Cotton Inc. and participated in DEBUT. "I never thought I'd win and I was so happy to be admired by the fashion industry!" she explains.

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

Lee Young Joo - Graduate
Seoul, South Korea
FIDM Fashion Design Program
Fashion Designer

As one of Korea's top fashion designers, Lee Young Joo recently celebrated her 15th anniversary in the industry with a beautiful fashion show. While the couture designer has found success in Seoul, she hopes to expand internationally to Japan and beyond.

What have you been up to lately?
For the last few years I have had an annual collection using hanji fabric (made from Korean paper), which is organic. I want people to think of my hanji collection when they think of me. I continue to introduce a new line each season. In addition, for the last few years, I have included a cruise line.

How did FIDM help prepare you for your career?
The instructors were from the industry and came with experience. I loved the hands–on instruction and learned so much. I remember one project where a designer came to our class and critiqued our sketches. My classes, plus my work experience and internship in the field, prepared me well for the fashion industry.

What were some of your favorite classes or experiences at FIDM?
My third-year Advanced Fashion Design classes were my favorite, especially my Pattern Drafting class taught by Martin Fong.

What advice would you give to international students who want to study at FIDM?
Prepare yourself as much as possible in learning English. FIDM has a lot of resources so international students can practice their English and meet new friends. So think positive about going abroad to study!

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

Kapasa Musanda - Student
Lusaka, Zambia
FIDM Fashion Design Program

"I came to the States for a week, and my dream was to open a fashion design company in my country. So we came to FIDM for a visit," explains Kapasa Musonda, an Advanced Fashion Design Student originally from the African country of Zambia. "I loved the campus and it just felt so right."

Prior to attending FIDM, Kapasa didn't even know how to sew, but today she is designing a full collection inspired by the Sahara Desert. "I love the free spirit of people here," she adds of her classmates and friends. "And just getting to learn so much has been my favorite experience at FIDM."

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

Richard Chan - Graduate
China
FIDM Fashion Design Program

Richard Chan has accepted a highly-coveted three-month internship at Alexander McQueen in London.

After graduating from FIDM in 2008, the Advanced Fashion Design Grad attended Academia Koefia in Italy where he studied Haute Couture. Each year, the Academia awards a scholarship to a student in FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design DEBUT program.

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