Professional Studies Grad Is Assistant Designer for Fore Collection

Avery Thompson holds an impressive three degrees from FIDM, including a B.A. in Professional Studies, and we caught up with the recent grad to learn more about her new job at Fore Collection.

Born in Montana and raised in Arizona, Avery first heard about FIDM in high school through a fashion course she took. "Compared to other fashion schools it seemed like the best fit," she said. "I really didn’t want to go to New York or Europe." Her first degree from FIDM was an Associate of Arts in Fashion Design. In addition, she received an Associate of Arts degree in Film & TV Costume Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies. 

While at FIDM, Avery had the chance to participate in unique opportunities such as a FIDM x LACOSTE collaboration at the Costumer Designers Guild Awards in 2017. Students partnered with the iconic brand to create designs based off of fairytales. Once Avery discovered that Aladdin originated in China, she decided to incorporate Mongolian elements into his ensemble. 

"I learned a lot at FIDM," Avery said. "I use information I learned every day and apply it to work and my daily life." She recalled an ethics class as being her favorite of the BAPS Program. "It teaches so much about laws and what is appropriate in a professional setting," she added. 

Avery has returned to her fashion design roots with her position as an Assistant Designer at Fore Collection, the Los Angeles-based wholesale label. In this role, she's responsible for working on photo shoots, lookbook concept design ideas, Illustrator sketches, trend research for weekly design meetings, requesting fabrics, choosing fabrications for styles, preparing swatch cards and linesheets, and specs and grading. 

"I really appreciate the fact that FIDM has its own Career Center," she said, "as that is how I have a job now."

Categories:  Professional Studies