Student
Lizzy Singleton
Merchandise Product Development student, Lizzy Singleton, transferred to FIDM from the Fine Arts program at UCLA School of Arts and Architecture. With an ultimate goal of being a footwear designer, she has already interned at TOMS.
Tell us a little about yourself: I'm a very driven person who dreams of becoming a footwear designer. I grew up in Los Angeles, and have been fortunate enough to spend vacations traveling. Seeing the world from a young age has influenced me greatly, and I believe it has influenced my work, as well.
I was bitten by the fashion bug at a young age. My high school had a fashion show for charity where the entries had to be made from recycled products. I came up with a line of dresses made from plastic trash bags, newspaper, and other recycled items. My line won the fashion show, and I was interviewed by Apparel News and TeenVogue.com, and then had my dresses displayed at a store on Melrose. In addition to being a great experience, I also loved the idea that all the money we raised from the fashion show went to support a needy school in Los Angeles.
Before transferring to FIDM to study Merchandise Product Development, I studied Fine Arts at the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture with an emphasis on photography. Even though I have shifted my focus to design, my passion for photography is still strong.
Tell us about your TOMS internship: I will be working in the textile department. Some of my responsibilities include organizing the materials library, communicating with the TOMS China materials team, creating seasonal material range plans and artwork for designs, and doing competitor research. I think it will be a job that uses all of my strengths and abilities, and pushes me to become even better at what I do.
What was the interview like? The interview was very relaxed and informal, much like TOMS, itself. I had to try really hard not to get distracted by the dogs being walked around by employees or the gigantic slide in the main entryway. As for the actual interview, it was like talking to a friend. Kimberly, my future boss who interviewed me, is so sweet and intelligent. I can tell she really knows what she's talking about and is going to be a great mentor.
What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? My ultimate goal is to become a footwear designer. I don't know at this point what kind of shoes I want to design, where I want to design them, or if I even want to start my own company. I still have a lot to learn and a lot of time to learn it in.
I can confidently say that if I hadn't chosen to transfer to FIDM, I wouldn't be where I am now. The classes are so hyper-specific to what's really happening in the industry that you graduate fully prepared to enter the working world.
Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication.
Categories: Merchandise Product Development Student
