a Josette Bowman : Alumni : Merchandise Product Development : FIDM

Alumni in Focus

Josette Bowman

FIDM Merchandise Product Development Grad Josette Bowman is the owner of the trendy Bakersfield boutique and website, Tangerine Clothing, where she sells some of today's hottest labels: Chip and Pepper, Fornarina, Yanuk, and C & C California. On a daily basis she's responsible for researching trends, buying, reordering, record keeping, scheduling, and working out daily, weekly, and monthly sales goals. "Having the store has proven to be just the kind of challenge FIDM prepared me for. Every day I meet someone new and build relationships-even friendships-with my customers. I predict the trends and watch them unfold. From conception straight into the hands of the consumer: It's fabulous!

What led you to choose FIDM?

I never really liked school that much and had tried community college and was bored to tears. At 29, I asked myself some hard questions, like what do I really want to do the rest of my life? What am I passionate about? Certainly not anything I was going to find at any ordinary college.

What was your initial experience at FIDM?

My initial experience at FIDM was excitement! I was thrilled to be surrounded with the fashion industry at every turn I made, from the aesthetics of the campus to the content of the actual courses in the curriculum.

What did you like most about FIDM?

I liked that the entire school was so focused on getting its students ready for a career. I felt like I had so much support from the teachers in my classes.

How has your FIDM education especially helped you?

My experience at FIDM helped me gain confidence in myself. I worked very hard and I was determined and focused. In the end I had achieved what I had set out to do. I felt like I could accomplish anything!

Please Note: The information contained herein was confirmed at the time of original publication