Artist Credit:
Kristin Don - Alumni
The Art Institute of California - Hollywood
Fashion - Fashion Design

Fashion Success Stories

D. Graham Kostic: 2004 Fashion Marketing & Management Graduate from The Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago
Employer: Modern Luxury Magazines
Career: Fashion Associate
"The teachers at The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago are really top-notch. I loved hearing about their industry experience. It's that glimpse into the different facets of the industry that was completely inspiring." — D. Graham Kostic

What's Graham doing today?
Graham develops, produces, and styles the Radar Fashion page, a round-up of the greatest accessories and jewelry of the moment, for all Modern Luxury Magazine titles. He also writes and styles trend pieces for The Men's Book and CS Brides and shot the cover for an issue of CS Interiors. Graham produces fashion shoots and states that "my to-do list is about three pages long." He's been mentored by his boss, a talented woman who spearheaded much of the fashion initiative in Chicago when she helped to found CS and Modern Luxury Magazines 12 years ago. Graham adds, "I love that I work for the woman who did that."

Creative inspiration
Much of his job involves editing through collections to find what he describes as "the most beautiful things." Graham says that he loves to find local Chicago people who are doing great things in fashion. A fan of taking Polaroid pictures, he has a box filled to the brim with them. He believes that it's important to see his surroundings in a very unique way — and he does this by grouping pictures together that he thinks 'work.' Graham states, "I take colors and forms from these pictures and try to emulate those qualities in my shoots. I try to bring that spontaneity to my work." Graham also finds inspiration in taxidermy, Henry Darger, Charley Harper, music, art-dept.com, African prints, his niece and nephew, and Edward Gorey books.

Getting out there
Graham was working as the associate editor of The Men's Book magazine after completing an internship at CS Brides. When the assistant job to the creative director of the company opened up, he jumped on it. From this experience, he learned a valuable lesson: "Don't be afraid to put your foot out, throw your arm through and squeeze your way through the front door — it's the only way to get noticed. But remember to back it all up with a great work ethic and knowledge of the industry."

Willie Hall: 2005 Fashion Design Graduate
Employer: Freelancer
Career: Fashion Design
"I loved all my instructors — they are talented individuals who showed love for their students." — Willie Hall

What's Willie doing today?
Willie is working as a freelance fashion designer. "I love fabric and fashion and the joy of watching people wear what I have created." She says that her life has changed so much since graduation from The Art Institute of New York City, and that she looks forward to continuing in a career that makes her feel happy to go to work each day.

Creative inspiration
Willie was inspired by her father. "My father was a hard working man who said to do whatever makes you happy." She followed his advice and went back to school to study fashion. "I'm so pleased with that decision."

Getting out there
Willie attended a fashion vocational high school, which sparked her interest in fashion design. After a detour into another field, she knew it was time to follow her heart and return to fashion. Willie volunteered at Olympus Fashion Week, and was asked to volunteer at Fashion Week in Los Angeles. She's worked as a part-time assistant to Andre Van Pier, Fashion Designer to stars including Liz Taylor, Diana Ross, and Madonna

Lynda DeChane: 2000 Fashion Design Graduate from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Employer: South Broward Ballet Company
Career: Artistic Director, Founder
"My instructors nurtured students toward their goals by providing them with a high quality of training and opportunities to experience the professional world first-hand." — Lynda DeChane

What's Lynda doing today?
After Lynda graduated from the Fashion Design program at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, she used her newly acquired skills and talents to open both the South Broward Ballet Company and Your Couture Tutu and Costume Shop, located in Hollywood, Florida.

Creative inspiration
Lynda always had a passion for costume design. Having directed, choreographed, taught, and designed sets and costumes for over 17 full-length ballets in her career, she turned her fervor into reality. She says, "I always wanted to design my own line of classical ballet tutus and sell them over the Internet."

Getting out there
Lynda feels The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale introduced her to new design skills and techniques that enhanced her creativity and showed her new ways of marketing and promoting her product. While at the school, she earned the honor of being the "Most Creative Designer" of her graduating class.

Jade Monfils: 2005 Fashion Design Graduate from The Art Institute of California - San Francisco
Employer: J.C. Penney
Career: Assistant Designer Trainee
"Everything that you do today will affect what happens to you tomorrow." — Jade Monfils

What's Jade doing today?
Jade is working as an Assistant Designer Trainee for J.C. Penney Company. In her position, Jade attends various classes throughout the week to learn about the company, and works side-by-side with other designers, assistant designers, creative directors, and textile designers. Her daily tasks range from product development to sketching.

Creative inspiration
Jade has always dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. She believes that the tight deadlines she experienced as a student at The Art Institute of California — San Francisco helped her to plan her time better. She also credits research with helping her to create ideas that have depth and thought.

Getting out there
As a part of her training, Jade must complete five projects which will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel of creative directors. The projects consist of creating products that must fit into an existing line within J.C. Penney. If the project is selected, Jade will be hired at the end of her training period, and will have her product bought and sold at J.C. Penney stores throughout the country.

Lila Nikole Rivera: 2004 Fashion Design Graduate from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Employer: Amaya Swimwear
Career: Owner/Head Designer
"Follow your dreams. Believe in yourself and you can be as successful as you want to be." — Lila Nikole Rivera

What's Lila doing today?
Lila is owner and head designer of Amaya Swimwear, a high-end, couture swimwear line. Her client list includes Ja Rule, Ashanti, and Benzino. Lila's work has been featured on BET television's "Rip The Runway" as well as in many newspapers and magazines.

Creative inspiration
Lila finds inspiration by looking inside and following her dreams. She's achieved many goals including winning The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Leadership Award, graduating Magna Cum Laude; winning Best Swimwear and Urban Wear Portfolio; and receiving Outstanding Recognition from PFPMA (Professional Football Players Mothers Association). The fashion show she organized for the NFL players' mothers even featured special guest Will Smith.

Getting out there
Lila says of her school experience, "working hand in hand with the instructors at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale on fashion shows and special events was most memorable to me. They have been a great influence on my career and I still keep in touch." She attributes her success to her educational foundation, stating, "I use skills that I attained at school in every aspect of my company. I use all of the designing and marketing knowledge that I learned in my business, each day."