IT'S TIMETO BE BOLD

Meet Our Alumni

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  Christian Ferretti

  Fashion Design , 2011

  "I believe what is going to carry you through is your passion. In the end, if you don't have love for what you do, there is no point."

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  Christian Ferretti

  Christian Ferretti is a men’s outerwear designer for Guess? Inc. in Los Angeles, California. He designs blazers, vests, and outerwear, and says that fashion is a career that requires determination. “The majority of circumstances in your career will take commitment. I had to work long hours and weekends to be able to finish collections that were due.” He emphasizes the need to work well in a team and to look to the bigger picture when decisions don’t go your way.

  “Sometimes you may not agree with the decisions made by the person in charge but you need to understand it is not about you. It’s about the team.”

  Christian has faced challenges in his career, including taking a year off of school for personal reasons. “I wish I hadn't done that. I think it is imperative to stick it out and finish the goal you have set for yourself.” His passion helped him to get back into school and complete his degree. And he tells current students that without that same passion, they cannot succeed. “I believe what is going to carry you through is your passion. In the end, if you don't have love for what you do, there is not point.”

  At work, Christian has an inspiration board that he uses to brainstorm ideas. He updates the board with photos, fabrics, and magazine tears and uses that information to think about his target customer’s lifestyle. ”I constantly share news about fashion and bring my recent vintage finds to work. I also communicate my vision through the way I dress daily.”

  Achieving a place of prominence in the fashion world takes time and Christian says it’s important to take internships and even unpaid work to gain experience. “I have proven myself in the company I currently work for by creating styles that sold well.” He’s also been interviewed by CNN en Español and was featured in newspapers and magazines in his native Ecuador.

  Christian, who in 2011 earned an Associate of Science in Fashion Design from The Art Institute of California—Hollywood, says that his education helped him to understand the importance of deadlines. He also learned that feedback is an important way to grow as an artist. “Critiquing is not always destructive. [It] can make you better.”

  See http://ge.artinstitutes.edu/programoffering/277 for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

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  Deborah Capstone

  Digital Filmmaking & Video Production , 2015

  "Listen to others and explore possibilities. Keep creativity flowing and make it fun to do hard work when needed."

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  Deborah Capstone

  Deborah Capstone is the owner of Capstone L.A. Entertainment, where she oversees production and casting. A typical day in her North Hollywood, California office includes meetings, writing, and pre-production. “This industry is ever-changing and evolving,” she says. “Creating an atmosphere where I continually look for opportunity is important. If I stop, the work stops.”

  Deborah works closely with her production crew because she understands that movie making is a team effort. She explains that she felt the same camaraderie in the classroom—working together with instructors and classmates to complete projects. Deborah adds that she was an older student when she started her studies. “I had the fear that I wouldn’t be taken seriously. The reality is that [being older] gave me wisdom to pass on and it was appreciated by my peers in the classroom.”

  She encourages current students to network and learn directly from those in the field. “Be open minded to new ideas and ways of working with people and communicating. Listen to others and explore possibilities. Keep creativity flowing and make it fun to do hard work when needed.” She recently wrote a feature film that was shot in February 2016—and is expected in theaters in fall 2016. She’s also had two screenplays optioned and is shooting a pilot in Guatemala alongside other alumni of Art Institutes schools.

  Deborah, who in 2015 earned a Bachelor of Science in Digital Cinema & Video Production from The Art Institute of California—Hollywood, says that learning from her professional instructors gave her a real-world glimpse into the industry. She says that success happens when you stick with projects, especially when they are difficult. “There are going to be times when you want to quit. But often those are the moments that stretch, grow, and define you.”

  See http://ge.artinstitutes.edu/programoffering/3922 for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

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  Kelly Marie Rowe

  Fashion Design , 2013

  "I really enjoy the fact that designers, departments, and people at my job depend on me and the work that I do."

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  Kelly Marie Rowe

  Kelly Marie Rowe is a corporate material research and development associate for BCBGMAXAZRIA Group. She handles all incoming sample yardage for the runway and cut and sew knits divisions. She also assures that all samples meet BCBG standards. “I really enjoy the fact that designers, departments, and people at my job depend on me and the work that I do. One slip up at our level could cost the company [a lot] of money. My job is important to the overall production of garments to be sold,” Kelly says.

  Kelly is proud to play a part in creating the company’s classic style. She communicates daily with foreign and domestic vendors to find new fabrics to show the design team . And she adds that outside of work, she was excited to create her best friend’s wedding dress—a garment that she calls “[her] most successful piece yet.” Kelly looks to nature for inspiration, but adds that she admires anyone who is able to pursue their dreams while keeping a smile on their face.

  Kelly, who in 2013 earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design from The Art Institute of California— Hollywood, says that her education taught her the fundamentals of fabrics. “[Fabrics] are an entirely different beast. And even though I am not currently in a design position, I work very closely with my design teams.” Kelly says that because she earned a degree in Fashion Design, her input is sometimes requested from the design team. “[That] helps me with my future, as well.” She recommends that current students take the time to listen and learn. “Enjoy every moment of it. Good and bad.”

  See ge.artinstitutes.edu/programoffering/274 for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

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  Raylene Proto

  Fashion Marketing & Management , 2014

  "[My education taught me] the industry and the business. I can be in a business meeting, product development meeting, or a marketing meeting and understand exactly what's going on and what's expected out of me and my client."

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  Raylene Proto

  Raylene Proto is the CEO and founder of PROTO-type Business Solutions in Los Angeles, California. She works with clients across the country, providing business advice to the fashion community. “About 90% of the people [who contact me], I met via a networking event or through one of my workshops,” she says. Raylene works for designers, designer’s vendors, and fashion bloggers. She helps bloggers to drive more traffic to their sites—and works to finalize licensing agreements for capsule and personal collections.

  She explains that she consults with designers to help them get to the next level while remaining compliant with state regulations, manufacturing regulations, and laws. “For my more established designers, it’s consulting on label law, marketing material, and made in America regulations. I even have a referral service where I refer designers out for fabric sourcing services, tag sourcing, manufacturing, web design, domain services, IT services, and marketing design.” Raylene also reviews contracts and negotiates terms for designers with their vendors.

  Raylene created the concept for her business while still a student at The Art Institute of California—Hollywood. “The idea for PROTO-type resulted from a project I [created] for my entrepreneurship class. [Now], I get to do workshops and guest speak at schools, along with having the opportunity to be a guest editor for some online fashion magazines.” Raylene says that fashion law is still new but is becoming increasingly recognized. To break into that particular industry, she also took separate legal studies courses.

  Raylene, who in 2014 earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Marketing & Management from The Art Institute of California—Hollywood, says that her education provided a solid foundation in the fashion industry. “When I made the decision to pursue fashion law, I knew I needed to know the industry and the business. [My education] allowed me to accomplish that through classes and the experienced instructors. I can be in a business meeting, product development meeting, or a marketing meeting and understand exactly what’s going on and what’s expected out of me and my client.” She adds that the weekly presentations she was required to complete helped her to get over a fear of public speaking—allowing her to participate in workshops and lectures.

  See http://ge.artinstitutes.edu/programoffering/281 for program duration, tuition, fees and other costs, median debt, salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

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