Student

Just Accepted Student Runs Her Own Leather Brand

Name: Carly Rabjones

Age: 24
 
Hometown: Tweed Heads, NSW, Australia
 
FIDM Major: Merchandise Product Development
 
FIDM Campus and Start Date: July 2017, Orange County
 
Admissions Advisor: Cathy Chambers
 
How did your advisor help with the process? Cathy has been amazing. Since my initial tour of FIDM to now, Cathy has helped me with any and everything concerning my application and beyond. She has been very encouraging and has made the whole process way less stressful.
 
Tell us a bit about yourself. I’m an Australian who fell in love with an American and decide to move over to the United States three years ago. I started my own leather brand called This is nada. With a focus on essential seasonless leather goods, the line is solely designed and handcrafted by me. I just love to sew and design words cannot describe the feeling of joy I get through creating a piece from scratch. I can sit in my studio for hours on end sewing and working on creating new designs and patterns. I’m excited to see where the knowledge I will gain through FIDM will take me and my company in the future. 
 
What are your proudest accomplishments so far? Starting my own company. Putting your own designs and creations out into the world is one is the hardest challenges being a designer. But seeing my brand grow and customers in love with what I hand create makes it all worth it and I push even harder to better myself and my company.  
 
What made FIDM right for you? FIDM felt right for me because it focuses towards the exact major and subjects I wish to be studying. But also the network and resources FIDM offers is next to none and I believe with that support behind me, I can achieve any goal.
 
Describe your entrance project. My entrance portfolio was based on a brand targeting urban environmentally conscious women in their mid 20’s to 40’s. I created five timeless, versatile outfits that could be worn from the farmer market to cocktail hour made out of organic and recycled fabrics.

What are your career goals? I see myself becoming a product manager for a company, an apparel developer, or diving deeper into the world of trend forecasting. But my ultimate goal would be seeing my company recognized as an innovative fashion forward company.
 
What do you expect to learn at FIDM? I hope FIDM is going to enhance my abilities turning me from self-taught to technically train. This will ultimately build a career path for me and push my company to the next level.

Categories:  Merchandise Product Development International Student