PROJECT JENNIFER











{February 22, 2009}   How it’s been going

In one word, “frantic.” 

Because I’m in the Professional Designation program, I’m doing the program at FIDM at an accelerated pace, which means insanity. The first day of this quarter’s classes I went to my Creative Design Theory class and got the first homework assignment: Do 7 technical flats and one full illustration using a croquis and full rendering of fabric color, texture and pattern.  That may sound like gibberish to you, but you’ll understand the point that I had not yet produced a croquis, nor learned how to do flats or render fabric color, texture and pattern — all of these things were to be introduced in Fashion Sketching II, which I would be taking AT THE SAME TIME!  And, coincidentally, immediately FOLLOWING the design theory class.

So you can see how I felt a big panicked at the beginning. Oh, and there’s the small fact that the teachers for those two classes — while both being excellent teachers — also are known as the most demanding homework-wise for their respective courses. I had a little meltdown a week or so ago from the lack of sleep and pressure to get everything done perfectly not just for those two classes but the other three as well. I’m doing better now, after finally setting myself down for a stern talking to, realizing I don’t have to get straight As in all my classes if it means destroying my health and sanity in the process. (I’ve gained a little weight from the fact that I don’t have time to cook and I spend just about every day sitting for 10 hours straight (at least) either doing homework, sitting in class or sitting at an office desk for work.

I’m doing much better now, physically and mentally. It helps to know that in just over a month I’m going to go to Seoul on my break and see Sang and the kids! (Yes, you heard it here first!) I’ve got two weeks off, and I’m going to just go bask in my family.

More on everything later!



{February 22, 2009}   Did you know…?

The new season of Project Runway is supposed to begin in March, and it was shot right here at FIDM in Los Angeles? My first quarter here they had one floor of one of the buildings sectioned off just for the show, and on one day they had an outdoor set-up in the park outside the main building. Unfortunately, I never saw Heidi, Tim or Michael, but it’s going to be exciting seeing our school suddenly gain in reputation once the season starts!

Oh, and Mood Designer Fabrics also opened a branch in L.A., which I happened to go and visit a couple of weeks ago to source fabrics for a class project. They definately had some nice stuff, but it had absolutely nothing on Tongdaemun Market!

Speaking of Project Runway, who should have been my substitute teacher the first two weeks of my Creative Design Theory class but Season 2 contestant Andre Gonzolo (of ‘What ever happened to Andre?’ fame)! He is a part-time instructor at the school and is a fantastically sweet man who is very knowledgable. He was also generous enough to pose for a picture with me so I could send it to my daughter so she could see her mother hobnobbing with celeb designers (Andre was one of her two favorites on all of the seasons, the other being Nick Verreos, who is also an instructor at FIDM, coincidentally). I would post the pic here, but since his look has completely changed, he might be trying to go incognito, and I wouldn’t want to spoil that for him!



Drumroll please.

I finally got photos of the very first wedding gown of my newfound career! Yes, Elena and Ajay were married in January in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Elena looked fabulous in the gown we created and negotiated for in Korea. I ordered a couple of the professional photos for my portfolio, and I’m posting the miniatures of them from here. I’m so happy the way the dress turned out, not just for myself, but because it had a part in making the day special for my friend. (And let me tell you, I was SOOOOOO nervous about something going wrong in the making, since I was here in the States and she was there in Korea while the fittings were being done!)

So, without further ado, here are the results:

Elena looking gorgeous and happy

Elena looking gorgeous and happy

Off to the honeymoon

Off to the honeymoon

–photography by Dry Heat Studios
And so, I’m pleased as punch!


et cetera