FIDM Students talk about how they chose their majors, what inspires them, and how FIDM is helping them achieve their career goals.
FIDM Student Working for Fashion Designer
and FIDM Alumna Monique Lhuillier
Earning Merchandise Product Development Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management
Rachel Zimmermann spent a year at Texas Tech University studying Public Relations before she decided she needed a more creative outlet. What she was really passionate about was fashion. “This is when I knew if I could find a major and career that combined my people skills with fashion, that was where I could succeed to the best of my abilities,” she said. She’s now studying Merchandise Product Development as well as working on her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management at FIDM.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments? One of my proudest accomplishments was when I moved out to Los Angeles. My parents put up every road block they could to try and make absolutely certain that if I made the move from Texas to California that I was going to take it 100% seriously. They cut me off financially, saying that if I wanted to go to FIDM I had to pay my own way for everything and I had to have a 3.8 GPA before leaving Texas Tech. So, I bit the bullet. The summer before I moved I got a private student loan to pay for my first year's tuition and housing. I sold my old VW Beetle and leased a new Honda Civic to ensure I had a reliable car—one that I wouldn't have to constantly be worrying about maintenance. I got three jobs that summer to pay for my first housing payment and to start my financial cushion. I worked as a sales associate at Calypso during the weekdays. In the evenings I sold timeshares and then worked as a wedding planner’s assistant on weekends. When it was all said and done I had made the move to L.A. all on my own and because my parents made me work so hard to get out here I proved to myself that if I want something badly enough there is nothing that can stop me from achieving that goal.
Who is your favorite designer? Honestly, Monique Lhuillier. She was the first designer that really struck me as astounding. The first Monique Lhuillier runway show I ever saw was back in 2005 and her designs just captivated me from the start. Her dresses captured romance, elegance and effortless beauty with each design. The funny thing is, I didn't even know that she attended FIDM to be honest until I went to my first day of orientation.
Tell us about your job with Monique Lhuillier. I do mainly administrative work for the company. Some on the daily responsibilities I have include managing and scheduling appointments, keeping track of client files, account managing, tracking inventory, selling, and maintaining the showroom. The craziest thing I ever had to do for the company was fly to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to deliver a veil to one of our brides, due to incidents unforeseen from both parties. I had to catch a flight to Cabo at 3:30pm. I touched down at 6:20pm, went through customs, delivered the veil to Carlos (the family driver), went through customs once more, and then got back on the same airplane before it took off at 7:10 that night. You never forget your first career jet set!
What about the Monique Lhuillier sample sales? Monique Lhuillier sample sales happen twice a year, in the fall around December/January and in the summer June/July time frames. You can expect 40%-90% off on both bridal and RTW items. They are open to anyone and are usually one a Sunday between 10am-4pm. The sample sale happens at a pop-up location downtown and all that information is released in the emails that we send out. To get a direct invite to the sample sale you can go to our website. In the bottom right hand corner there is a tab that says register, click it, fill out the information and we will then in turn send you information on all sorts of events and sales we are doing.
How did you choose your major, Merchandise Product Development? And what went into your decision to continue with your Bachelors degree? I chose the Product Development major because it seemed to have the best of both worlds. It has the creative fashion design aspect as well as the structural business aspects. I was looking for a major that was really well rounded and could translate into as many job opportunities as possible. I chose to continue my Bachelors Degree because, for one thing, I promised my parents I would get a 4-year degree. More importantly, I knew that getting a well rounded education was extremely important in any industry. When I start to build my career in fashion, I want to be knowledgeable in every aspect of the industry—be one step ahead of the game and leave no part untouched. That is how I feel I will be successful in the fashion industry.
What do you love about FIDM? I love that FIDM has allowed me to be a full-time student and work full-time as well. Since I started FIDM there hasn't been one moment of my life where I wasn't doing school full-time and working full-time, as well as having an internship or doing freelance. Since FIDM has allowed me to have such a flexible school schedule and gain as much work experience as I can, I was able to pay for my sophomore and junior years at FIDM out of my own pocket.
What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? I am still deciding my career goals. I know that I do not want to have a routine 9-6 career, that's for sure. And I do know that I want to experience every part of the fashion industry in every fashion capital that I can. I would like to be kept on my toes, constantly guessing where I am going to have to be tomorrow and what I will have to be doing.
If you are interested in getting your Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management at FIDM like Rachel, you can request information.
