Alumni

Recent Design Grad Was a Finalist in IFFTI Global Fashion Competition

We recently chatted with L.A.-based Design graduate, Illene Martoseno, who originally hails from Indonesia and was a finalist in the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) 2019 Student Competition in Manchester, England.

How did you first hear of FIDM and what made you want to attend? Attending FIDM was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I first heard from a friend who used to attend FIDM. I came to the college right out of high school with a dream to have a career in the fashion industry and FIDM was the perfect way to get there. It definitely opens a lot of opportunities for me and helps me to build my connections.

Tell us about your FIDM journey: I have my AA in Fashion Design and BA in Design. FIDM was a lot of hard work but it also prepared me to be able to handle the tight deadlines and shaped me to face problems in the real world. It was intense, stressful, and challenging—it was worth it. I also did an internship at Jonathan Simkhai during my Bachelor of Arts program.

Tell us about your experience as a finalist in the IFFTI 2019 Student Competition: The ending of my FIDM journey is the new beginning of my career. I was fortunate to be selected as an IFFTI 2019 Student Competition finalist and got the opportunity to showcase my work and participate in their annual fashion show in Manchester. It was a life-changing experience to be able to see my work walk down the runway for the first time and to be able to meet a lot of inspiring souls from different countries.

What are your ultimate career goals? My career goals are to have my own fashion line and to constantly create inspiring and empowering designs. I was honored to be nominated as a finalist for SUPIMA 2019 Design Competition that is going to be held in New York Fashion Week this September. It feels so unreal to be able to participate in NYFW right after graduation. I believe that this will be a great stepping stone for my career path. I am so excited and beyond grateful for every opportunity. 

Categories:  Design Fashion Design Alumni