Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a great place to visit, shop, and explore an interesting area of downtown LA. Now for the Diva it’s always more fun if there is some discount shopping involved and FIDM has a wonderful Scholarship Store with some of the best deals in town (brides pay particular attention when they have gowns available). For those not in LA, there is an online store, prices are not as good however these are original and unique items.

All the merchandise sold in the Scholarship Store is donated by over 400 successful manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers, many of whom employ FIDM Alumni.  They send overstock and end of season items at great prices.  All the money you spend goes to scholarships so feel good about splurging.

Now they also have free exhibits of movie and television costumes.

A current exhibition presents an overview of the Damask’s important gift to the FIDM Museum including: historic avant-garde fashion and world dress; limited edition art books; seminal images by high-fashion photographers Willy Maywald (1907–85) and Horst P. Horst (1906–99); photographs, sketches, and books by artist-aesthete Cecil Beaton (1904–80); and theatrical designs by Erté (Romain de Tirtoff, 1892–1990).

For the ninth year, they have an annual exhibition celebrating the art and artistry of Primetime Emmy® Nominated Costume Designers and Costume.

Fleurs examines these sartorial techniques that allow springtime to be eternal and the flowers to never fade.

Check it out and watch Project Runway like a fashion insider.