CUT CLASS: Fashion Institute of Design and Arts

What started out as a dream of Mrs. Christina Munda is now a reality: to open a fashion and design school in Mindanao. Late last year, Davao’s budding young fashion entrepreneurs and designers finally got an educational institution centered on their passion, the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts (FiDA).

With the assistance of her Dabawenyo husband Gerry Munda, Christine, a former fashion educator at DLSU – CSB, opened the FiDA to cater to the growing need in Mindanao for an educational institution dedicated to the fashion industry.

For 2010, FiDA offers the following courses:

* 2 Year Associate of Arts Degree in Fashion Design and Apparel Technology
* 1 Year Diploma in
o Fashion Design and Apparel Technology
o Fashion Merchandising
* 6 Month Certificate in
o Fashion Design
o Apparel Technology
o Fashion Merchandising
* 3 Month Introductory Course in Fashion Business

FiDA works on the philosophy that fashion is no longer just a hobby or for recreation; but also a job and a career. And we agree. In the thriving fashion industry today, the Filipino creativity and unique Filipino materials are definitely at par with the world’s best. And FiDA is the right institute for Mindanaoans who wish to succeed in the field.

FiDA currently has a tie-up with one of the best Fine Arts Education Programs in Mindanao, that of the Philippine Women’s College of Davao (PWC). Students may opt to take two years of General Tertiary Education at the PWC, then specialize in their chosen Fashion Education course at FiDA.

FiDA also offers short courses and workshops on the following topics:

* Basic, Advanced, and Artistic Make Up
* Fashion Illustration
* Fashion Accessories
* Basic Sewing and Draping
* Modeling
* Fashion Photography
* Hair Styling
* Visual Presentation
* Bag Design and Embellishments

And this summer, FiDA is offering various fashion workshops for kids and teens.

Whether it is just for fun or for your career or business, whatever your background or age is, the FiDA has something to make you more knowledgeable in fashion and design.

For summer 2010, here is a a summary of their workshops:
Basic Pattern Making and Sewing: (Monday to Thursdays only)

* Skirts:
o Batch 1: April 5 – 15, 8am – 12 nn
o Batch 2: April 19 – 29, 1 pm – 5 pm
* Tops and Blouses:
o Batch 1: April 19 – 29, 8 am – 12 nn
o Batch 2: May 3 – 13 1 pm – 5 pm
* Dresses:
o Batch 1: May 3 – 13, 8 am – 12 nn
o Batch 2: May 17 – 27 8 am – 12nn

Advanced Makeup: April 28 – 30, 9 am – 4 pm

To know more about their programs and workshops, visit the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts at Ricardo corner Manga Streets, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City. You may also reach them at +6382-3043007, +63923-7039696. Online, they may be reached at their website www.fidaarts.com, http://www.facebook.com/fidarts or through FiDAdavao@gmail.com.

Ria Abella Jose is one of the most sought-after bloggers from Mindanao. Her blog kusinamaria.com is one of the ten most influential blogs of 2010. She also writes for SunStar Davao.