Fashion Careers International

I was a fashion design student attending the very prestigious, (& expensive) Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I had heard about FCI on-​line but I was somewhat hesitant to call as 3 months seemed an unrealistic amount of time to become a fashion designer! I was highly disappointed in the education I was receiving at my University, as I was being forced to take General Education courses that had nothing to do with fashion. Basically, I was paying thousands of dollars for General Education classes that I had to take in order to take the fashion classes I really wanted to take!
I decided to call FCI and attend their open house. It wasn’t until I attended the open house that I understood why it was a 3 month program. FCI is not your typical cookie-​cutter school. Upon my visit to the school, I met the fashion design instructor. He explained the schools successful dynamic and proceeded to show us a fashion show of previous students work. In my opinion, the students 3 month work at FCI was AMAZING! It looked equivalent to that of a student studying fashion at a 4 year university!
I didn’t hesitate to withdraw from the Academy of Art and I immediately enrolled in FCI. I have to say, it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life! I enrolled in both the Fashion Design & Fashion Merchandising programs. The Fashion Merchandising program opened up a whole new world to me. The school assigned me to intern in several different fashion companies to test out where I was most comfortable working and where I would benefit from the most.
Upon interning, I worked with professional Fashion Buyers and I had the opportunity to meet very important influential people in the Fashion Industry. I was then offered a full-​time job and I also worked at the Magic Trade Show in Las Vegas. FCI and my employer worked hand in hand which made it possible for me to work and continue my Fashion Design studies.
My Fashion Design course experience was nothing like I had ever experienced before. My fashion design instructor made sure to teach the class as a whole, and to ensure we were all on track. His time and dedication was the epitome to the success of his students. As if that weren’t enough, he made sure to give each student the time to teach them individually, if needed, according to their pace.
At FCI, there are no General Ed courses such as math, english, etc, that keep you years in school, and take away your time and money. As I said before, FCI is not your ordinary average school. They focus on fashion and fashion only!
During the 3 month beginning Fashion Design program, I learned how to sew on professional industrial machines, how to construct garments, pattern making, sketching, and building a collection! At the culmination of the program my collection was in the student Fashion Show, and, most important to help my fashion career, my designs were featured in the California Apparel News in their coverage of the schools Fashion Show — (which I proudly list on my resume!)
I highly recommend this school to anyone seriously interested in fashion. The curriculum is rigorous, but it is manageable. This is coming from someone that previously attended a very expensive fashion school, spending thousands of dollars to learn minimal, to learning everything I needed in a short amount of time at FCI. The school gave me all the tools necessary to become a successful fashion designer.

I am a recent graduate of FCI The Fashion School and my experience at this school has been wonderful! I completed Fashion Merchandising, Fashion Design 1, and Fashion Design 2.
I enjoyed every moment of it and highly recommend this school to anyone interested in pursuing a career in fashion!
1^st, for the Fashion Merchandising class you get to learn all about the current fashion trends by studying the actual lines presented to real fashion buyers! You also network
with many fashion industry professionals, such as fashion buyers, showroom owners, designers, etc. Networking is very important in this business!
Also, there are Mandatory classes that you need to complete in order to obtain your fashion certification These Mandatory classes are great!
I learned so much from these Mandatory classes. In the Fashion Merchandising program the students get the opportunity to work the Las Vegas Trade Shows and also to intern
for L.A. Fashion Market Week!
Secondly, for the Fashion Design programs, it’s very «hands-​on»! This school is a 3-​month short-​term program, and I came to the school with absolutely no experience at all with
pattern making or sewing. I had zero knowledge in both of these fields so I was a little worried about getting everything completed in 3 months. However, I have enjoyed every bit of
both of the Fashion Design programs I completed. Both Fashion Design programs very «hands-​on» and you learn from a very skilled and talented teacher. He is really passionate about fashion and has great knowledge in the field. In 3 – 4 months I have gained lifelong skills and I had my collection successfully showcased in our recent fashion show!

Because of FCI The Fashion School I really got my start into my dream job! Starting out with the Merchandising class I got to network with not only peers with the same goal as myself but showroom owners, designers, and other important people that could help me achieve my goal. Along with life long friendships I was taught to show lines and represent designers at trade shows like Las Vegas’ very own magic. From interning in the showrooms I even got a job. I now work as the production assistant for a designer. Which put me one step closer. With Design class in the design room I became skilled in pattern making, sewing, and really executing the look I’m trying to sell. I really owe a lot to the fashion school for running such a great school and helping me get to the place I wanna be. They constantly remind you that if its what you want to do then achieve it! And they have no problem in helping you get to where you wanna go. I highly recommend this school to anyone trying to Pursue a career in fashion and I try to tell anyone and everyone about it.

I had some of the best months of my life while I was a student at FCI Fashion School ! Not only did I learn & get hand on hand experience, but I also met a lot of people working in the fashion industry, (which is what the fashion industry is all about! — Networking & the connections you make !) Since I really wanted to be a fashion designer, at 1^st I was hesitant to take the Fashion Merchandising program, but, in the end… I’m so happy I did! I got to learn the whole business side of fashion, which is VERY important! I also was given a lot of different fashion internships in all different categories of women’s apparel… Junior, Contemporary, Updated, Bridge Wear, Designer, etc. My internships led to a paid job at the Magic Fashion Trade Show in Las Vegas which was an awesome experience!
I then enrolled in the Beginning Fashion Design program with the most outstanding teacher, Jake! I studied pattern drafting, sewing & fashion drawing…(all of which I had never done before!)
After completing the 1^st Fashion Design program, I decided to continue on & I enrolled in the Intermediate Fashion Design program. I was then in the student Fashion Show… which was INCREDIBLE ! It was truly AMAZING & a once-​in-​a-​lifetime-​experience! I definitely suggest FCI to anyone wanting to get into the fashion industry !

FCI is the best way to break into the fashion industry in L.A. Located in a lofty space in a famous fashion building in downtown L.A., the school is smack-​in-​the-​middle of the L.A. Fashion District. The California Market Center, the Cooper Design Space, the New Mart… everything fashion… is within a one block radius of the school; one of the factors of why I chose to attend. Being where all the designers house their latest collections in corporate and privately owned showrooms is the main part of the merchandising and marketing of fashion brands — and the school specializes in that fashion course!
I gained tons of experience doing the various fashion internships assigned by the school and learned the ropes of the entire fashion industry! Within the fashion merchandising program I showed fashion collections to real-​life fashion buyers during L.A. Fashion Market Week! I also set up line sheets, facilitated email marketing, merchandised fashion lines, learned visual display,
grouping, coordinating, etc., etc., etc.
As a student, I visited a huge apparel factory, attended a class on trend forecasting and color theory in a fashion buying office and so much more. I even got a paid internship with a clothing line that is represented in L.A. and went to the MAGIC show in Las Vegas which is the largest fashion buying show in the world! The school even had a full-​production fashion show at the end of the program.
I really feel that this school introduces you to a world that you would not be able to get networked with unless you were a student here. I know the school has exclusive contracts with the vast majority of important fashion businesses in the area where they will not take students from any other fashion school except FCI. If you are passionate about being in the business of fashion definitely check out this school. You will be surprised at how fast you will make connections in the fashion world!

I have been designing and making my own clothing for a few years and when I heard of this school being the connection school to getting my line out i was very excited, and its for only three months intensive, even better! I am an extremely patient, loving person and not very many things upset me but this is something I need to get out there because i am extremely disappointed that i wasted my time here. So 3 months turned to 5+ and still unsure of when the show will be. The mandatory merchandising class is the same class every time with the same questions and terrible dirty jokes (when confronted about this he said it was for the new students which there are every class i guess). He also dumbs down everything so you feel like you are in english 101, not fashion school. The exciting connections are all «Missy“showrooms (old lady clothing). I stuck through this because i was really excited to be in the fashion show until other students were popping up with the same designs as me. i talked to the teacher about it and he told me they were all inspired by me and it was a compliment. later on he yelled at me for confronting the student nicely. he told me if the other student says that i copied him than he would eliminate mine from the show. I am very convinced that he was sharing patterns with other students because my patterns were very extreme and precise and i have seen him point mine out as reference. he plays favorites and the school is severely lacking in professionalism, integrity, and enthusiasm. I also heard from a former student that there is a contract you have to sign to be in the show that they keep your designs for a year after, but i didn’t stick around long enough to find out. i was in that school for 6 months and it was still going. I hope this prompts things to change.

May seem a little cliché, but I have always had a passion for fashion.
Growing up as a child, my mother was a pattern maker (for Max Studio) and was always constantly fashionably well dressed. Not surprising that dressing well easily became a habit of mine.
I was also always fascinated by how people style themselves right down to the details, keeping in mind the whole process of their brainstorming and creating an outfit that pulled together so effortlessly which always amazed me.
Some may call it fate, maybe even destiny ~ since that is EXACTLY how I met Joe at a booth, while I was strolling down the Hollywood’s Farmers Market. Quickly was I intrigued by what he had to offer which was a fast track 3 –month program primarily focusing into the depths of Fashion Merchandising, Buying Operations, Pattern-​Making, Handbag Designs and so much more.
It was only literally that night when I spoke to JOE over the phone in further details about the program. At this time, I was actually a Senior at UCR but I knew I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away from me, because I knew I had the strongest interest in Fashion.
Extremely dedicated and motivated– I was driving from Riverside to DTLA to attend the open house orientation. Right then and there I knew FCI was the place I wanted and needed to be. Being a full time student at UCR, Jake and Joe were more than willing to arrange a more appropriate and flexible schedule for me due to my commute. As a result, I was attending the school for a littles less than a year at my own pace and I was also given the lovely opportunity to work for the school as their receptionist.
As a result, I did choose Fashion Merchandising and right off the bat, I was given the chance to complete over 80+ internships at various showrooms. An experience that I can look back and value to this day. Jake & Joe are just beyond incredible mentors and teachers and coming to this school was one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I HIGHLY recommend anyone who has a fashion or just simply curiosity to see what this school is all about because be rest assured you will not be disappointed!
Fast-​forward to post graduate: With my experience at FCI I was able to find work at multiple companies as a Production Assistant as well as a Sales Representative for a whole sale textile company. There are simply no words for me to express my gratitude I have for this school.
Sincerely,
Erica

I stumbled upon FCI by accident and became very interested in their fashion training programs because of the affordability of the classes and the personal involvement of the staff. I want to start my own fashion company, but needed a good foundation to better understand the industry. FCI offered what I wanted with their Fashion Merchandising class. I enrolled and took this class at my own pace over several months. It was very beneficial and taught me much about the industry, but best of all, through the class instructors I made many important contacts within the industry that cannot be made by just walking in off the street. FCI helped me open doors and reach the people who make the decisions and will help guide me as I start my company. I highly recommend FCI for those seeking to enter the fashion business and for those who want immediate hands on training in apparel design.

I first found out about FCI while at the Urth Café applying for jobs. I had just moved back to Los Angeles from France where I finished a Bachelor’s degree. I was feeling disappointed with the lack of responses to, what seemed to me, a ridiculous amount of submitted resumes in hopes of finding a job. So there it was, a small flyer posted on a bulletin board outside the restroom, advertising three month long programs in fashion. I wrote the number down and called right away.
I booked an appointment to go to an open house, went to an orientation the following Wednesday, and decided to enroll in both the fashion merchandising and fashion design programs. Within a week I was interning at a trade show near LAX and in two weeks at the Stitch show in Las Vegas, one of the many trade shows held there in conjunction with MAGIC.
A month later, the school called me to tell me that the company I was interning for wanted to hire me for a full-​time position. They even negotiated a schedule which allowed me to complete both of my fashion programs while working.
The strength in FCI’s curriculum lies in the emphasis they place on networking, predominantly through the multitude of internships you’re required to do in order to complete the program. It’s not always easy work, but if you’re willing to put in the hours and the effort, FCI is the perfect avenue through which you can establish a career in the fashion industry in Los Angeles.

I’ve always had interest in fashion, but I didn’t put much thought into it until I moved here to LA. When I stumbled upon FCI (via Google), I was very surprised that I could actually receive a Fashion School education within a minimum of 3 months. I thought it was too good to be true & I just had to check it out. My husband & I attended a“open house” & right away I knew FCI was the place for me!
My first day at FCI, I had an internship… in an actual showroom! Within weeks we were headed to the MAGIC Tradeshow in Las Vegas. During MAGIC, I was even able to work at one of the booths thru my internship! That was definitely an experience that I won’t ever forget.
I loved FCI so much that I decided to attend longer than the minimum 3 months. If I had to do it again, I’d still choose FCI to further my career in the fashion industry. Thru FCI, I’ve made a lot of connections & relationships that I otherwise wouldn’t have made.

Fashion whole sale is a tough, competitive business and FCI paired me up with a great showroom where I interned for 3 months which resulted in a job. I wanted real hands on experience and FCI provided me with that chance. I was willing to work hard, make connections and learn. Be willing.
The merchandising program provides fashion students the opportunity to have real world experience within the wholesale sector of the apparel industry. If you would like to expand your knowledge and skills out side of the classroom through interning at various showrooms in down town Los Angeles then FCI is a good place to start your whole sale career.

FCI has literally changed my life in a very positive way
I was looking to get out of the restaurant business & have always loved fashion, so I visited FCI for an open house.
At the open house I met the teachers, I interacted with the students & I took a complimentary class.
All the students were really nice & didn’t have that stuck-​up attitude of students at another fashion school I recently visited
I registered for the Fashion Merchandising program the very next day after my visit.
From my very 1^st day attending FCI, I was assigned to a fashion internship.
FCI has a vast network of fashion companies, fashion designers, & fashion showrooms that are their industry-​partners.
In my 1^st month of school I had already interned in many different companies.
Not all of my internships were fabulous… It’s a «give & take»…(some fashion companies will spend more time
with students than others, depending how busy they are)
If you find an internship that you really like, REQUEST IT! The Merchandising teacher will always let you continue interning at a company u really like.
That is how I got my job offer! I was working at my internship twice a week & a job opening came up.
The school told me the company called & wanted to hire me!
In less than 2 months of school I landed a job with a well-​known corporate fashion company!
I worked there almost-​full-​time (except when I had to take classes).
After I finished school, I worked there complete-​full-​time!
If u apply yourself and come with a mindset that you’re at the school to learn and get a job it will happen.
If u just come to classes and not put in any effort into networking and going above and beyond, then, honestly, it’s your fault.
FCI has a great system that gets students hands-​on into the fashion industry
Nothing gets handed to u! U need to show that u want it & u need to work for it!
Before I got hired, some of my internships were so-​so…& some were «wow»! But I always gave it my all (b/​c u never know)
If u are a «go-​getter» you will succeed, this school has everything u need to get your dreams going!
I highly recommend this school to anyone that wants to be part of the fashion industry!

This is the second program I have taken at FCI and it continues to be a wonderful experience.
My educational background includes a BS from SDSU and an MBA from The University of California at Berkeley. I am not looking for a degree, I am looking for real-​life experience and knowledge about fashion. This is the perfect place to get what I need.
When I decided to start a new career as a fashion designer and start my own line of clothing I researched all the fashion schools in Los Angeles and determined FCI to have what I need, and to be the best value.
I really liked the fact that during the Open House I was able to meet and talk to current students attending the school. I noticed that the students seemed happy and came form various backgrounds, like myself. The diversity was better than any other school and I felt I could learn something from the students and the community as well as from the teachers.
I started with the Fashion Merchandising Program. This program offered real life experience and connections that I could springboard from and add to my resume. I worked on Fashion Internships during LA Fashion Market week and met fashion buyers, fashion designers and manufacturers.
I also took the Beginning Fashion Design Program. Jake Jaime is an amazing teacher. He can make a pattern for just about anything you can come up with. He is very talented, a good teacher and a great person. At the end of our 3-​month program, we revealed our three-​piece collection in a fashion show. During a tour of the school you will see a video tape of the show. It is a great sense of accomplishment to see the culmination of your work walking down the runway.
I am currently taking the Intermediate Fashion Design Program. And I highly recommend it for anyone who already has a background in sewing or design. It is taking me to another level of design, and after the intermediate program, I think I will have enough information to start my own line. Jake Jaime is a very dedicated, talented and concerned instructor. I feel very luck to have found him.
I am looking forward to my 2^nd student fashion show in September with great anticipation.
I highly recommend this school to anyone dedicated to starting a career in fashion!

I’ve been attending FCI only for a few months and it has been going really well. The school has an AMAZING internship program! I was able to intern at so many places and learned so many things through it!
Honestly, working at a fashion internship is not all GLAMOUR! I have performed a wide variety of tasks at my different internships, some of which are not that pleasant. Fashion is not all fun and games.
I was hired at my job from my internship and the school helped me on my schedule enabling me to work and complete the fashion merchandising program.
(I still have one month left until I graduate)
I know there are a lot of fashion schools out there but FCI is it for me. I did not have to take out a student loan because it’s truly affordable compared to the other fashion schools I researched that cost thousands and thousands of dollars.
Attending FCI is one of the most important decisions I have made for my future! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this school to anybody interested in pursuing a career in fashion.

Where can I begin to explain why I am giving this school a five star rating —
Well for starters — this school provided me —
from the start — from the very beginning — no joke — a means of finding a job in less than 3 months!!! Amazing, right?
Having a JOB = making money. In the field that I LOVE!!!
Most private schools will cost you an arm and a leg (lets say $ 40k for one year — sound familiar?) — and for a lot of us that means student loans that we will have to pay back after we get a JOB!!! And for most of us — that means no money in OUR pockets from anywhere to 5 to 10+ years.
Hmmm!!!
Would you rather go to a school that gives you the means of finding a J.O.B. for less than $ 2000?
Well that sounds more reasonable doesn’t it?
FCI can greatly help you on ‘that’ path for your future in fashion.
The internship program is by far the best that I have seen in LA. You’ll get to meet and network with with a ton of people that work in the fashion district downtown.
Learning to network is crucial for your survival — esp in this field. FCI will teach you those skills right from the get-​go.
Not to mention — a trip to Vegas to intern at the world renowned ‘Magic’ trade-​show is an added topping to this cake!
Overall — I love this school and even after I graduated from their Fashion Merchandising program, I am still able to come back for more networking at no additional cost!
I am really looking forward to taking their Fashion Design program next!

I moved to L.A. from Arizona to attend FCI in January. It has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I recently finished the Fashion Merchandising program and was hired full-​time by a showroom.
During the program, I had the opportunity to work L.A. Fashion/​Market Week and the MAGIC and STITCH trade shows in Las Vegas. It was an amazing experience!
I have learned so much through the classes and through the internships.
The school has a close knit feeling, so you don’t feel like a «number.» I also received a lot of time from an instructor in preparing my resume and cover letter. I highly recommend FCI for anyone who wants to receive real world fashion experience.

I have only been with FCI for about a month and I have already had such a great experience! I have interned in 6 different showrooms so far, learning the business from the inside out. I was just hired to work LA market which was a great learning experience and a lot of fun! Without FCI I would have never had the opportunity to work in so many different showrooms and learn so much from the weekly classes. I am so grateful that FCI offers such amazing short-​term career training and I have loved every second!