Uploaded June 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Denim represents an estimated $60 billion global market that is growing at an annual rate of 13-15%. Graduates from The Business of Denim program emerge as highly specialized denim professionals.
FIDM is the only college that offers an Advanced Study Program in denim design and development with a focus on sustainability. With Los Angeles responsible for over 90% of the premium denim brands in the United States, FIDM is ideally situated for this degree program.
Please join us for a one-hour panel discussion moderated by denim expert Eriksen Mitchell, as we explore the opportunities in this niche industry. You’ll meet FIDM Grads specializing in denim design and product development as they discuss their experience and where the industry is headed.
About Moderator Eriksen Mitchell: Eriksen Mitchell’s career in the apparel industry spans over a decade, specializing in denim products. After starting at Element Skateboards, he worked for five years at GUESS, Inc.’s denim product development division, starting as a Product Development Specialist and working up to Senior Manager. He then served as Senior Product Development Manager at 7 For All Mankind for two years. After this, he returned to GUESS, Inc.’s denim development division in a senior leadership position as their Associate Director. Eriksen has also collaborated with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and graduated from FIDM with an Associate of Arts degree in Merchandise Product Development and an Advanced Associate of Arts degree in International Manufacturing & Product Development.
About Panelist Dominique Gomez: Dominique Gomez is the Product Development Manager at premium denim label Citizens of Humanity. With Associate of Arts degree in Apparel Industry Management and Advanced Associate of Arts degrees in International Manufacturing & Product Development and The Business of Denim, he has collaborated with and interned at brands including Nike, AllSaints, and LOVESTITCH, and was the Product Development Assistant at LIBERTINE.
About Panelist Faith Ibrahim: Faith Ibrahim is a Designer and Product Developer at her independent brand Vrede 919, where her designs focus and draw inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and culture. With her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Design and Advanced Associate of Arts degrees in International Manufacturing & Product Development, and The Business of Denim, all from FIDM, she has worked on industry projects with companies including Converse, GUESS, Lucky Brand, Calik Denim, and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Particularly focused in sustainable design, Faith has worked in denim production at SAITEX USA, “the cleanest denim manufacturer in the world.”
About Panelist Erin Schulenberg: Erin Schulenberg is invested in bettering the fashion industry through sustainability practices, consumer education, and circular design principles. She has an Advanced Associate of Arts degree in The Business of Denim from FIDM and a Bachelor’s in Textile and Fashion Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Erin has served as Associate Designer at Lands’ End where she specialized in knit tops and dresses, and on the Product Development team at GOLDSIGN, a women’s denim label. Currently, she serves as the Associate Designer in Target’s denim division.
About Panelist Reanne Wang: Reanne Wang has designed and developed products for companies including Halston, Modcloth, and Alice and Olivia Jeans, and has collaborated with brands such as Guess, Uniqlo, and Levi's. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and A.A. degrees in Merchandise Product Development, International Manufacturing & Product Development, and The Business of Denim, all from FIDM.
Denim represents an estimated $60 billion global market that is growing at an annual rate of 13-15%. Graduates from The Business of Denim program emerge as highly specialized denim professionals.
FIDM is the only college that offers an Advanced Study Program in denim design and development with a focus on sustainability. With Los Angeles responsible for over 90% of the premium denim brands in the United States, FIDM is ideally situated for this degree program.
Please join us for a one-hour panel discussion moderated by denim expert Eriksen Mitchell, as we explore the opportunities in this niche industry. You’ll meet FIDM Grads specializing in denim design and product development as they discuss their experience and where the industry is headed.
About Moderator Eriksen Mitchell: Eriksen Mitchell’s career in the apparel industry spans over a decade, specializing in denim products. After starting at Element Skateboards, he worked for five years at GUESS, Inc.’s denim product development division, starting as a Product Development Specialist and working up to Senior Manager. He then served as Senior Product Development Manager at 7 For All Mankind for two years. After this, he returned to GUESS, Inc.’s denim development division in a senior leadership position as their Associate Director. Eriksen has also collaborated with The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and graduated from FIDM with an Associate of Arts degree in Merchandise Product Development and an Advanced Associate of Arts degree in International Manufacturing & Product Development.
About Panelist Dominique Gomez: Dominique Gomez is the Product Development Manager at premium denim label Citizens of Humanity. With Associate of Arts degree in Apparel Industry Management and Advanced Associate of Arts degrees in International Manufacturing & Product Development and The Business of Denim, he has collaborated with and interned at brands including Nike, AllSaints, and LOVESTITCH, and was the Product Development Assistant at LIBERTINE.
About Panelist Faith Ibrahim: Faith Ibrahim is a Designer and Product Developer at her independent brand Vrede 919, where her designs focus and draw inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and culture. With her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, an Associate of Arts degree in Fashion Design and Advanced Associate of Arts degrees in International Manufacturing & Product Development, and The Business of Denim, all from FIDM, she has worked on industry projects with companies including Converse, GUESS, Lucky Brand, Calik Denim, and The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Particularly focused in sustainable design, Faith has worked in denim production at SAITEX USA, “the cleanest denim manufacturer in the world.”
About Panelist Erin Schulenberg: Erin Schulenberg is invested in bettering the fashion industry through sustainability practices, consumer education, and circular design principles. She has an Advanced Associate of Arts degree in The Business of Denim from FIDM and a Bachelor’s in Textile and Fashion Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Erin has served as Associate Designer at Lands’ End where she specialized in knit tops and dresses, and on the Product Development team at GOLDSIGN, a women’s denim label. Currently, she serves as the Associate Designer in Target’s denim division.
About Panelist Reanne Wang: Reanne Wang has designed and developed products for companies including Halston, Modcloth, and Alice and Olivia Jeans, and has collaborated with brands such as Guess, Uniqlo, and Levi's. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and A.A. degrees in Merchandise Product Development, International Manufacturing & Product Development, and The Business of Denim, all from FIDM.
