My Fairytale Adventure with FIDM, a summary of one heck of a weekend!

It all started with an email from FIDM: “Check out our Educators web page” - and I did. There, I learned about the beauty makeover. “I need that!” I said out loud. So I wrote a short essay, had another teacher take my picture, and sent it all to FIDM.

Fast forward to March 1st. My guest and I were flown to L.A. by FIDM and went straight to the Universal Hilton, where our fantastic room had been reserved and paid for. We had a couple hours to relax and then dress for an amazing evening at the FIDM Fashion Show Gala.

The event was visually stunning in every way. First, we walked a real red carpet, complete with “paparazzi,” into the entrance of the Barker Hangar. There, the place had been transformed into an elegant Dale Chihuly-inspired cocktail lounge. Everyone was so friendly and ..nice!

Our dinner table had red glass plates and an India-inspired table cloth, fresh garden flowers, and beautiful china and glass. I worked my way through college as a banquet server at a 5-star hotel and never saw anything this elegant.

The show... the show was amazing. I don’t know how to describe it—fun, creative, visually delightful, and impossible to believe that the fashions were created by 3rd year students! It was so professional, and better than any runway show I’ve seen on television. Our host, Victoria, made sure I was introduced to everyone who was nearby, even the A-List Celebrity who sat at our table.

The next morning, Victoria picked me up at the hotel and off we went to meet the photographer, the stylist, and the designer. I was a little nervous, but by the time we had lunch (near the famous Kodak Theater) we were all great friends. I had immediate trust in the stylist, Estevan ( a graduate of FIDM who has made it big in the fashion world), who was magnificent in creating a look that worked for me with the “artwear “ creations of Claudia Grau, another FIDM graduate who has name recognition and a following among clothing collectors.

Victoria, Estevan, and I went shopping for additional pieces and accessories, with Julie taking pictures every step of the way. I wish everyone who loves fashion could have the experience of walking into the best stores, with your own stylist, photographer, and director! And the best part, they KNEW what looked great on me, and of course… they bought it all for me!

The next day, after breakfast, Victoria picked me up at our hotel and took me to the Epic Salon. Amy and Nicole were miracle workers, giving me a sophisticated, artistic look with hair and make-up that actually took years off my face and made me feel like a star. I was beginning to get ideas about starting a fashion class at my school. In fact, spending time with these creative people made my brainwaves start popping with ideas like a popcorn machine!

Then, it was on to the photo shoot. In the last 10 years, I’ve become very self-conscious about how I look in photographs, but by this time I was so relaxed with my new fashion friends, and feeling so special I didn’t have any anxiety at all. I knew I was being shown at my best, and I cannot emphasize how much the team made me feel like a truly honored and worthy person. I also got to meet Mark, Victoria’s assistant, who had been my contact up until my arrival.

Audrey can wear her hair up with a swoop, put on her contacts and a different outfit and still look great in her new makeover look.

I really didn’t want to go, but it was time. Back we flew to Oakland, not exhausted but excited and enlivened, full of ideas and new confidence.

When I came home I had to speak to the School Board, to a group of legislators, and then I hosted an art reception for my students - 140 people showed up. I wrote about how my artsy bedraggled look made me feel like I wasn’t taken seriously at these kind of events, but I wore my new clothes, my new look, and my new confidence and was fearless!

Even more, I was so impressed with FIDM. The FIDM family was warm, friendly, creative, and really knew their stuff. Above all, the FIDM design students and alumni showed creative professionalism beyond my imagination, and that inspired me, as an artist and art teacher.

Back to Top