The Third-Year Advanced Study Program in Fashion Design is proud to showcase this year's graduates.

These up-and-coming new designers have spent three years at FIDM developing their creativity and preparing for careers in the apparel industry. Meet tomorrow's designers and see the fashions they featured at Debut '96, FIDM's annual Fashion Show.

Debut '96 also featured graduating students from the Third-Year Advanced Study Program in Theatre Costume. The theme of this year's show was Broadway musicals. Students designed and constructed lavish costumes from Hello Dolly, Showboat, Man of La Mancha, and other famous productions. Meet the talent behind the show and see the impressive costumes featured at Debut '96.

Click here to view the Theatre Costume designs.

Dinesh Chandrasena

Dinesh comes from the island of Sri Lanka. At age 17 he won "The Designer of the Year" contest in his home country. He received an A.A. degree at FIDM in 1995 and won both the Michael Novarese Scholarship and the 1995 TALA award. Dinesh, who travels regularly, does two collections every year under his own label in Sri Lanka.

MoonJoo Choe

MoonJoo Choe was born and raised in Korea. When she was 18, her family moved to L.A. where she began studying art. She soon discovered fashion design and enrolled at FIDM. To further her skills, MoonJoo returned to FIDM for the third-year program. She is selective in her choice of color and fabric.

Bianca Davies

Bianca Davies was born in communist Romania in 1961. At age 20, she emigrated to Canada. In 1991, attracted by the multi-ethnic community and the more progressive culture, she moved to L.A. After two years in L.A., Bianca enrolled at FIDM. While enrolled in FIDM's third-year program, Bianca sold numerous dance-related outfits and has developed clientele in the dance community.

Angeline Garcia

Angeline has lived in the L.A. area all of her life. Angeline's style has few boundaries. "When I see a fabric that catches my eye, I use its color and texture as my inspiration for my next design." Her designs are vibrant examples that colors and textures are not the boundaries of design but rather windows to a world of beauty and diversity, giving life and style to fashion.

Jamie Paul Holahan

Jamie was born at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia in 1970. After spending two years in the military, Jamie went in search of a good art program. He chose FIDM. In 1994 he graduated from FIDM with an A.A. degree and in March, 1995 won the Fred Hayman Scholarship. He likes to use simple fabrics and hand-paints them with vivid colors and prints.

Sonia Kim

Sonia Kim's philosophy of fashion design is simply to make a woman feel like just that--a woman, and to provide her with what Sonia describes as a "Total Look." As a freelance designer, Sonia has designed for fashion shows, TV stations and promotional events. Sonia wants to bring together the unique styles of both Europe and the U.S.

Nicole Lassmann

Growing up in the heart of Germany, old-world traditions and the pride of craftsmanship were powerful influences for Nicole. Her artistic vision was sharpened when she enrolled at FIDM in 1994. She has been awarded the TALA Scholarship and named as a national finalist in the Caress Lingerie Competition. Her most gratifying honor was to be recognized with the Nolan Miller Scholarship.

Erika Mari Quale

Erika Mari Quale hails from Berkeley. Strongly influenced by the immaculate clothes of Japanese children, she enrolled in FIDM's Apparel Manufacturing program before being selected for the Advanced Fashion Design Program as a Debut Scholarship winner. A "Who's Who" recipient of the Academic Achievement Award from the AAMA, Erika was valedictorian for the 94/95 class at FIDM.

Lisa Rehus

Lisa Rehus is a native of Helsingborg, Sweden where she spent her youth. With a diploma in patternmaking she earned in Copenhagen, Lisa was hired as quality controller for Levi's European division. In 1993, Lisa enrolled in FIDM's Fashion Design program. She graduated summa cum laude in 1995 and was selected to participate in the Advanced Fashion Design Program.

Shuping Zhang

Shuping Zhang was born in China, where she received her B.A. degree from Zhongshan University in Canton. Graduating from FIDM with straight A's in 1994, Shuping was listed in the Who's Who Among American Junior Colleges for 1995. Shuping was then selected for FIDM's Advanced Fashion Design Program. A few months later she was awarded a TALA scholarship.

Diane Cone

Diane Cone is a native Californian born into a traditional Latin American family, the constant source of her inspiration. A strong love of handwork, which she believes to be therapeutic, is an important part in her work. Diane's goal includes becoming a master at professional finishing. A recipient of numerous awards, Diane states that her greatest support and encouragement comes from her family and friends.

Holly Griggs

Holly Griggs, a native of Northern California, grew up in the small town of Oakley. After high school graduation in 1993, she began the Fashion Design Program at FIDM San Francisco. Holly then applied for the Advanced Study Theatre Costume program at FIDM in L.A. She finds the study of period clothing very fascinating and is greatly inspired by the elegance and femininity of the Victorian era.

Kathryn Kemper

Kathryn was born in Walnut Creek, California. After graduating high school, she entered FIDM in San Francisco. Kathryn graduated FIDM magna cum laude in the spring of 1995. She became involved with costumes in the productions of Princess Ida, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern's Excellent Adventure, and Patience.

Vivienne Lieu

Vivienne was born in Saigon and raised in Nhatrang, South Vietnam. She graduated from the College Fran°ais de Nhatrang, majoring in Letters and Arts. Five years after the fall of Vietnam, she moved to L.A. and enrolled at FIDM. After receiving her degree in Fashion Design, she enrolled in the Theatre Costume program where she earned the Jakob Schlaepfer Scholarship as well as a TALA Scholarship.

Antonia Sherry-Nunez

Antonia was born in Berkeley, California. After 2 1/2 years at FIDM, Antonia has recently completed the Advanced Study Program in Theatre Costume. She has developed an acute awareness for detail, accuracy in construction, and a strong ability for illustration. At FIDM, she was the recipient of a scholarship from the Costumers Guild and a Merit Award for outstanding grades and showmanship.

Kerri Stimson-Roth

Kerri was born, raised, and educated in the L.A. area. A desire to learn about design and patternmaking brought her to FIDM in 1992. Here she received an A.A. in Fashion Design and Apparel Manufacturing before joining the Theatre Costume program. Kerri is the recipient of the FIDM Scholarship, the TALA Scholarship and the Ebell of Los Angeles Scholarship.

Sheree Thiel

Sheree's interest in fashion started early. After growing up in Modesto, California, Sheree moved to San Diego where she attended FIDM before transferring to the L.A. campus to complete her education. In 1995, upon receiving her degree in Fashion Design, Sheree won a $5,000 scholarship which she used to enroll in FIDM's Theatre Costume Program.

Erin Madeline Tibbetts

A native of Berkeley, California, Erin was born to a family with a professional interest in fashion and the arts. Upon high school graduation, Erin enrolled in the Fashion Design program at FIDM's San Francisco campus. In 1995 she was accepted to the Advanced Study Program of Theatre Costume. Erin looks forward to a professional career designing costumes for theatre, film, and television.

Yun Yi

Yun Yi was born in In-chon, Korea where she lived until age 16 when her family moved to the United States. Upon graduation from high school, Yun enrolled in a community college before deciding on a career in fashion design. This ultimately led to FIDM and the Theatre Costume program. Yun loves working with softly textured fabrics, including suede, brocade, and velour, preferably in bright colors.