February 23, 2010
New Interview With FIDM Fashion Design Student Andrew Stewart
Fashion Design Student Andrew Denali Stewart gives us an inside look at FIDM's Design Room and some excellent advice for prospective students. Read our interview with Andrew to learn more about what he loves about FIDM and how he chose his major.
Age: 24
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Tell us a little about yourself: I have a previous AA degree in general studies. I do parkour on Saturdays. I have a strange passion for bright colors and bizarre prints and fabrics.
What is one of your proudest accomplishments?My motivation to stay busy and active. Right now I am working on a dress and I know it is going to be a fantastic piece.
Favorite designer: Walter Van Beirendonck
What's a trend or item you're loving right now? I don't have any trends, but I guess I'm leaning on the disheveled look right now.
What's in your wardrobe you can't live without? I just bought a notched lapel blazer-like jacket (women's) which is fully lined. It is white and black cotton houndstooth weave with a black and white polka dot bias finishing on the ends and welt pockets that are finished with a red polyester fabric that matches the lining of the jacket. It's just really bizarre and people everywhere always give me compliments.
What brought you to FIDM? The website really captured me. They have an amazing way of making you feel like they need you to be part of their program(s).
How did you choose your major? I once lived in Japan for 3 months with a host family during senior year in high school. When I discovered the Tokyo/Harajuku style, I said to myself, "Oh my gosh, I want to learn how to make these crazy clothes!"... and now I do.
What do you love about FIDM? The Instructors.
What's your favorite or best experience so far?There is something about pulling all-nighters in order to get the work finished that I find rewarding. When students come to class and their hair is frizzed and they haven't showered and they are wearing the same clothes they wore the previous day because they are so determined to get the work done—I believe this is what sets us apart from all other majors and people who want to work in this crazy industry.
What's your favorite class so far and why? Fashion Sketching II because Ms. Nancy Riegelman is an extremely inspiring human being as well as talented.
Describe campus life. Life on campus is hectic in the design room. Students are always running around borrowing other students' tools they forgot at home. There are students barely finishing the hem of their dress or about to have a meltdown because their seams won't match. Other students are rushing to finish labeling their manila patterns.
What are your career goals and how is FIDM helping you get there? The Career Center is great at helping students find jobs and internship opportunities. My goal is to work for JCPenney in the Design Training Program. JCPenney comes to FIDM occasionally to inform students of this program. I have my interview next month.
What advice do you have for someone thinking about going to FIDM? I wish I had known how to either sew or sketch before coming here. These skills are crucial and may take a long time to improve depending on the individual. And because the school curriculum moves at a rapid pace, it's good to have a little background in these areas so you don't fall too far behind. I still spend hours on just one sketch, but the quality is by far greater than when I first started. My advice for somebody thinking about coming to FIDM? Learn how to use a sewing machine; buy a commercial pattern for any kind of garment; sew it up in one kind of cotton fabric that doesn't stretch; and then sew it up in a totally different kind of fabric. In the end, compare and contrast the qualities of the look. What colors look better with that specific garment? What kind of "hand" does the fabric have that compliments or detracts from the look?
