The Fashion Center Advisory
May 20, 2009
Advisory Members Present:
Sita Thompson, Yvonda Pleasant, Turya Nations, Shevon Moore, Myumi Bradshaw, Rena Castro, Linda Brandt, Erika Martha, Connie Ferris, Rey Aquino, Neal Gaydos, Elsa Metchek, Ulises Buendiaz-Mancia, Anouska Scott, Jorge Bravo
Administrators Present:
Vice President of Work Force and Economic Development, Marcy Drummond, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Lawrence Bradford, Dean of Academic Affairs, Cynthia Morley-Mower.
Faculty Members Present:
Nurit Glass-Villalobos, Madeline Coreas, Diane Murphy, Cinzia Iaffaldano, Carole Anderson, Henry Cherner (Adjunct), Finna Drebskaya, Aileen Lee
The meeting began with introductions and an overview of the current program. The committee was provided with a handout that outlines the program and many of the department elective courses. Courses include those in the areas of production and design with emphasis on manual skills. Courses in textile design have been added as well as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator geared toward the fashion industry. One of the committee members declared that courses in both of the Adobe software titles should be required. Another added that knowledge in all Microsoft Office Suite also be included in instruction. Diane Murphy added that in the area f Merchandising she has added some Excel basic formulas. Henry Cherner stated that it could be used for costing and spreadsheets. It was also discussed that with the math challenges for students’ proper use of these programs would help.
Erica mentioned that she was unfamiliar with shrinkage calculations and would have liked to have been instructed in that area while she was attending the Fashion Center.
The committee was informed that the department has the latest in Gerber and Lectra technology but Tukatech has not been upgraded due to lack of funds. Elsa Metcheck felt that it would be in the best interest of the department to upgrade Tukatech because the software is integral to ‘tech packs’.
While the discussion turned to student challenges the floor was turned over to VP, Marcy Drummond to discuss the new ‘academy’ that will be piloted by the fashion design program beginning in the Fall of 2010. She outlined the possibilities of Math classes, English, Political Science and Chemistry courses taught contextualized. She explained the fashion focused English 21 that will be taught around the life and loves of Coco Channel.
Elsa Metchek stated that the universities are giving simple Math quizzes to incoming students as well as geography and thought this would be a way for unprepared students to understand the world as it relates to fashion.
The discussion was turned to the Cooperative Education portion of the program. For the past Three years now Nurit Glass has been the instructor responsible for the department internship program. She has been successful in placing students in positions and the industry involvement has been very supportive. Many of the advisory participants have been interns themselves through the program or have hired the department student to work in a variety of areas. Ms. Glass also stated that she not only required here objectives from her students but required that they produce a simple resume as well.
One of our newest endeavors is in the area of ‘green’ fabric has been ordered and classes are being developed. Else Metchek was quick t point out that how to do business ‘green’ is also important. The industry has not quite figured out what it means to be sustainable yet and the process has not been defined. Cita disagreed with her statement because she is manufacturing eco-friendly garments now. She further stated that certifiers in the field are afraid of snakes after in encountered a cobra. Elsa stated the PJ Salvage has been in business for 20 years but ‘organic’ is in label only. Cita mentioned that she uses wood trim and shell to make the organic impression. She also mentioned that Nike is using pop caps to make apparel.
Elsa mentioned that it would be a good idea to form a ‘green’ panel of experts to discuss this important topic further. She mentioned that there is a ‘disconnect’ with what people really want.
To get input from industry on issues the faculty face in the classroom the question was posed about how industry addresses the use of cell phones. Ms. Metchek addressed this from a legal standpoint; no social networking in the office. The owner of a company has the right to look at cell phones and e-mails during the business day. Henry Cherner stated that he has a contract with each student where he deals with cell phones, tardies, and absences at the beginning of the semester and if a student misses three classes it is an automatic ‘C’ for the course.
When the question was raised about student accountability, Elsa Metchek asked what was the incentive to do well in class; what is the cause and effect? Henry Cherner stated that his students are rewarded with Aims Certification if they earn an ‘A’ in his class.
When asked about a bachelor’s degree Elsa stated that there are no undergrad degree in creativity but that UCLA extension will be adding a certificate in the Business if fashion in 2010. It will be an 18-month class.
The entire committee felt that more attention should be given to presentations and interactions with customers. The former students on the Advisory were especially adamant that there was not enough attention paid to this and there should have been.
Former student Amuck thought there should be introduction to trend forecasting; WGSN, Stylesite which in turn would allow student to think ‘outside the box’ when creating trend boards. Erica Martha added that she was embarrassed that she did not know more about trend forecasting.
They added that they needed to know more about PFD, Pantone, Language, as these are part of 'tech packs’. They felt strongly that there was not enough emphasis on knits. Knits are an integral part of our industry in Los Angeles and it is a small part of our curriculum. In addition some attention should be paid to shrinkage.
The group felt that the creation of small certificates for apparel would be a positive thing, perhaps ‘Office for Apparel’ where students would learn how word, and outlook are used in the industry. If there were 12-15 hours certificates there may be incentive to return to school for the information offered.
The advisory was asked how important illustration is to the industry. Elsa Metchek was emphatic that illustration is irrelevant. The rest of the former students stated that flats are key and that illustration should be separated as an elective course or a separate ‘track’.
The former students stated that ‘they didn’t know what they didn’t know’ but thought that more field trips and the expansion of the internship program would be helpful. Jorge Bravo stated that it was important to add computers into the grading course.
After almost two hours of discussion the formal meeting ended with board members and faculty members interacting for almost another half hour. Most of the board members had the opportunity to see and judge the student graduate designs for the Spring ’09 Gold Thimble Fashion Show.