On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the ASU FIDM Museum in downtown Los Angeles transformed into a stylish celebration of fashion’s legacy with the much-anticipated event Fashion Salon Series: Couture Hits the Streets: 20th Century Style. As an alumna of the FIDM Fashion Design program—and now a global style influencer—I was thrilled to return to the place where my career first took root. From ages 19 to 30, I honed my skills working with Los Angeles-based manufacturers, and this evening reminded me how that creative foundation continues to shape my journey in fashion.
An Evening That Merged Heritage with Modern Vision
Curated with care and cultural insight, the event brought together alumni, students, and global fashion voices to explore the transformation of couture into street style through the 20th century.
This dynamic showcase featured:
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Karl Lagerfeld’s Reinvention of Chanel: The presentation captured the essence of Lagerfeld’s transformative leadership at the House of Chanel. His masterful blending of Coco Chanel’s original vision with his own forward-thinking edge made this a key highlight of the evening.
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Patrick Kelly’s Legacy of Joy and Culture: Known for his exuberant use of buttons and references to his Southern roots, Kelly’s designs are more than fashion—they are joyful tributes to family, identity, and resilience. His story was a heartfelt reminder of how fashion can honor personal and cultural heritage.
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Moschino’s 1998 Jacket and Design Philosophy: With a spotlight on one of his iconic pieces, the event also reflected on how Moschino created a visual language of satire, blending whimsical humor with sharp social commentary
Alumni Connection in a New Era
For many of us who are longtime graduates of FIDM—prior to the school’s transition into ASU FIDM—this event was deeply meaningful. It was not only a reconnection with our roots, but a celebration of how far we’ve come. We are here to stay connected to what we’ve learned, and we absolutely support the evolution into ASU FIDM.
Change is part of fashion’s DNA. Whether it’s the influence of design icons like Patrick Kelly, Karl Lagerfeld, or the distinct statements of Moschino, fashion is always in motion—embracing diversity, history, and innovation with every new stitch. And as we witnessed on this beautiful Los Angeles evening, everyone connected to fashion—no matter where they are in the world—is part of this ever-evolving journey.
ASU FIDM: Shaping the Future
The event also offered a deeper introduction to ASU FIDM, a powerful collaboration between Arizona State University and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. With a mission to blend heritage and future-focused design education, this new model empowers students to lead the next wave of fashion innovation. Learn more at asufidm.asu.edu.
What’s Next in the Fashion Salon Series
The series continues with The Contemporary Fashion Scene on May 22, 2025, a promising look into fashion’s current creative minds. Fashion lovers can register and find more details through the official ASU FIDM site.
By Lela Christine, Style Editor | FAB FIVE Lifestyle Magazine
Explore more stories and fashion highlights at fabfivelifestyle.com.
Woman’s Ensemble: Coat and Dress, fall/winter 1986; Woman’s Dress, fall/winter 1986; Woman’s Dress, fall/winter 1988; by Patrick Kelly Philadelphia Museum of Art: Gift of Bjorn Guil Amelan and Bill T. Jones in honor of Monica Brown, 2015, 2015-201-29a,b, 2015-201-124, 2014-207-11.
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