Alumni
Grad is Founder and Creative Director of Whimsical Charm
Born and raised in the Harbor area of Southern California, Rosie Arias attended Phineas Banning High School prior to coming to FIDM to study Fashion Design. After graduating in 2001, Rosie worked as an assistant designer and pattern maker assistant, had a custom bridal business and retail store, and was a technical designer at Guess. While working as a pre-production manager at a smaller company, she spent evenings and weekends sewing samples and conducting research for what would become Whimsical Charm, a line of uniquely embroidered baby blankets, robes, and apparel. We caught up with the FIDM Grad and entrepreneur to learn more about her journey.
What led you to start Whimsical Charm? I started my business because I couldn’t find a unique blanket to gift a friend at her baby shower. I made one myself and it was a hit at the shower. Six months later, I was contemplating the start of Whimsical Charm. I met up with my friend whom I gifted the blanket to and she told me it was the only blanket she carried around. That was all I needed to hear to move forward with the development of Whimsical Charm.
When did your retail locations open? My very first retail location was opened in 2016. It was a kiosk at The Grove in Los Angeles. In 2017, I became a recurring vendor at Knott’s Berry Farm. By 2018, I was selling at the Los Angeles County Fair, the SoCal County Fair, weekend festivals, and local events. Later, that same year, I opened my retail space in San Pedro, California. Last year, I opened a second location in Costa Mesa, California. Now, in 2022, I have expanded my space in San Pedro and I remain a recurring vendor at Knott’s Berry Farm and pop-up at local events.
How did FIDM prepare you for entrepreneurship? FIDM was a vital platform and foundation in preparing me for entrepreneurship! The class material never expires. To this day I reference the books from my classes and I use all of the supplies that were provided. I had the best instructors who had immense industry experience. I recall my instructors mentioning that working in the baby and children’s industry is the best of all industries because little ones grow out of clothes quickly and parents purchase for their children before they purchase for themselves. My education at FIDM prepared me more than I would have imagined for my future with Whimsical Charm.
Tell us about your company's investment in youth: In 2016, I was looking for interns to help me with some design assistant work. I learned of a program that provided employers with assistance. I had the opportunity to host youth at my worksite and provide them with work experience and soft skills that would prepare them for the real world. Most of the youth only saw a design studio on TV and to now be a part of something in their local area brought hope to what their future can really entail.
My program extension now provides jobs for youth up to age 24 through my non-profit Divine Hug. We provide flexible work hours because I understand how time consuming school schedules can be. We pay youth because we understand everyone has responsibilities while in school. We provide work experience so youth can practice what they are learning in school and ultimately leave our program feeling ready to work in their preferred industry.
Learn more at whimsicalcharm.com and on Instagram @whimsicalcharm.
Categories: Fashion Design Alumni
