FIDM Resource & Research Center

A Feast of Fashion and Interior Design

The FIDM Resource & Research Center, founded in 1975, is the largest specialized fashion library in the western United States. The Center houses books, periodicals, newspaper clipping files, trade publications, and fashion predictive reports. In addition to print resources, the Center also offers access to electronic and online resources, as well as visual and creative materials resources.

Books

- A book collection of over 10,000 titles encompasses all subject areas, with emphasis in fashion, interior design, retailing and costume.

Periodicals

- The R&RC subscribes to over 160 international periodicals. They offer the latest information on art, design, fashion, business and current events.

Trade Publications

- The library's collection of trade journals, trend letters, and press kits provides current information on the business of apparel manufacturing and design, as well as any industry-related developments.

Newspaper Clipping Files

- the R&RC clips newspaper articles relating to over 17,000 different subject areas.

Fashion Predictive Reports

- The library subscribes to 15 various fashion forecasting services which predict trends in color, fabric, and silhouettes up to 18 months in advance of the season.

Visual Presentation Materials

- The R&RC Reference collection includes a selection of catalogs of props, mannequins, store fixtures, and other visual presentations and display materials for retail.

Rare Books Room

- The Rare Books Room of the R&RC houses 19th and 20th century fashion magazines, out-of-print books, original fashion sketches by renowned designers, and material on the California apparel industry.

International Fashion Video Division

- Includes well over 4000 videos, slides, audiotapes, CD ROM's, film strips and transparencies. Most popular are the current collection of influential fashion designers featured in video magazine format.

Textile Division

- This division of the R&RC offers fabric swatches, trimmings and findings examples, 3-yard cuts for draping practice, and fabric and trim samples for student projects.

Interior Design Workroom

- This division of the R&RC contains a sample collection of wall coverings, window treatments, flooring, and upholstery. All materials are available for students to use in their projects. The samples are updated regularly to provide current source material.

Eager to build on existing knowledge and on-site resources, Resource & Research Center staff welcomes inquiries by mail, phone, fax, e-mail and in person.

The FIDM Resource & Research Center serves the information needs of students, educators, scholars, researchers, industry, and press. Eager to build on existing knowledge and resources, the Resource & Research Center staff welcomes inquiries by mail, phone, fax and in person. Please contact the Library at 213.624.1200 ext. 3660 to make an appointment.