Archives for 2010

According to her press release, FIDM Alumna Melis Kuris is dressing three Twilight stars for the Eclipse premiere.

On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse will take place in Los Angeles and FIDM Alumna Melis Kuris will be dressing stars Peter Facinelli, Charlie Bewley, and Chaske Spencer. “The excitement of putting a look together for a client and then seeing the photos a few hours later is the instant gratification I constantly experience,” says the Los Angeles-based stylist.

The excitement of putting a look together for a client and then seeing the photos a few hours later is the instant gratification I constantly experience

I love being a stylist because everyday is different and you are constantly working with new celebrities, photographers, and producers

Networking is key, but so is dedication and patience.

“My house had over 25 racks of clothes and close to 300 pairs of shoes. That job was really what shifted my career to the next gear and seeing all of them on the red carpet together was such a highlight for me. I remember one of my first shoots the photographer wanted to shoot three girls with a very Victorian-inspired look. If I hadn’t had my old projects and books to reference back to it might not have turned out so well.The more you put yourself out there the easier it is to get the next job.”

Melis, who styles celebrities for music videos, editorial shoots, commercials, and the red carpet, has worked with Will Ferrell, Avril Lavigne, Anna Paquin, and Lily Collins, among others. “I love being a stylist because everyday is different and you are constantly working with new celebrities, photographers, and producers,” explains the fashion school graduate. “Networking is key, but so is dedication and patience.”

Melis says that the first Twilight film was one of her biggest career challenges. She was asked to style 10 of the main cast members (including Taylor Lautner, Kellan Lutz, Ashley Green, and Nikki Reed) for all of their press and the premiere. “My house had over 25 racks of clothes and close to 300 pairs of shoes,” she remembers. “That job was really what shifted my career to the next gear and seeing all of them on the red carpet together was such a highlight for me.”

She says that certain FIDM classes such as Textile Science, and Trend Forecasting, History of Costume Design allowed her to be one step ahead in the styling world. “I remember one of my first shoots the photographer wanted to shoot three girls with a very Victorian-inspired look,” she explains. “If I hadn’t had my old projects and books to reference back to it might not have turned out so well.” Melis says that networking is key to success, but that dedication and patience are equally important. “The more you put yourself out there the easier it is to get the next job,” she adds.

With four dynamic California campuses, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is the premier west coast fashion design college, educating for careers in fashion, graphic design, interior design, and entertainment. FIDM’s graduates include renowned fashion designers like Monique Lhuillier, Emmy® and Academy Award® award-winning costume designers, top fashion industry executives, and entrepreneurs.