Project Runway on Lifetime is currently celebrating its 12th season and I’m excited to be watching again. I have to admit that I stopped watching for a few seasons because it was kinda boring and there were no surprises. But this year the grand prize has been greatly increased, the show has added a live social media component, features two FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise) graduates and a female Army veteran… a real Veteran Fashionista!

Project Runway and FIDM have a very interesting history — there has been at least ten FIDM alumni featured on the show and one winner that graduated from FIDM, Season Five’s winner LeAnne Marshall. Season Six of Project Runway was even filmed at the FIDM campus in Los Angeles, the only season that was not filmed in NYC.

Another reason why the school is so unique is that it features a Scholarship Store, a Museum Shop and a FIDM Store, all in the heart of Downtown LA. The merchandise that’s featured in the store is donated by some of fashion’s top companies like Forever Twenty One and Bebe. All proceeds from their sales help benefit the talented students of the school.

The store also features unique finds from accessories, formals, summer wear, scrubs and fabric by the yard. Although some of the items are sold in an “as is” condition, a careful eye and patience will yield excellent results. They also have fitting rooms where you can try on all your items before making the final decision of purchasing them. If you need advice, the staff at the store is there to assist you, and guess what—they just happen to be FIDM students. You can shop and solicit style tips at the same time, how cool is that? If you frequent the store enough you will receive a loyalty card as one of their patron shoppers.

The Museum and Gallery at the FIDM campus in Los Angeles, also features a variety of exhibitions and collections from some amazing, historic designers from the past and present. The Museum Shop and the FIDM Store can both be accessed online for purchases as well.

For more information on FIDM and all their shops, please visit their website.

In upcoming blogs, I will feature various interviews from those FIDM alumni currently being featured on Project Runway and of course the real Veteran Fashionista of the show, Army veteran Miranda Levy!

Until next time my Veteran Fashionistas, as always, stay fashionable!

Jackie Thomas is a proud Navy Veteran. She has represented designers from Project Runway, Project Runway All Stars, All On The Line, etc. She produces celebrity fashion shows all across the country and abroad. She’s also a Guest Speaker for FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) in San Diego.

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