Name: MJ (Marjani Sykes)

Where do you live? Atlanta, GA

What is your area of study? MFA Fashion Design

What is your current occupation?
I am an independent fashion designer

If you were to die and come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
Either Diane Von Furstenberg cause let’s face it she was a princess and she is gorgeous – oh, and she has the most eclectic and exciting design aesthetic ever. Or ☺ John Galliano, I know, I know he is not on everyone’s favorite person list right now but man, oh man, the art he creates is without a doubt amazing. I would just want to be in that head, who thinks like that?!?!

What is your most treasured possession?
Other than my family, pets and friends, I would say my Louis Vuitton suede, square toed, chunky heel pumps. They have 2 silver balls on the front, one large, one small with the LV emblem and flower. I LOVE them. I have never seen anyone with those before so when I wear them I feel like a D-I-V-A and they go with EVERYTHING! And… my Michael Jackson OPUS, it is the most beautiful “book” ever. It has the awesome pictures and stories about him, he was such an icon and a wonderful human being, the OPUS just highlights his assets.

Who are your favorite [fashion] writers?
Rachel Strugatz – She writes for WWD she does accessories and social media. When I read her articles, I feel like I am learning something new in a fun way. WWD has their finger on the pulse of everything fashion and I think Rachel writes in a way that helps you find your way in this complicated fashion world. I follow her on Twitter and her tweets are very amusing and all her!

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Name: Darren (Richard) Carlson

Where do you live? Salt Lake City, UT. Fashion-wise we’re a bit behind the times, however the City Creek Center recently built downtown finally gave us access to Swarovski, Tiffany & Co. and Michael Kors! Yeah!

What is your area of study? I just received my diploma for an AA in Fashion Design!

What is your current occupation?
Determining if I feel ready to start my own business or begin a mentorship under a young designer in NY—I’m talking out ideas with friends and family.

Which historical [fashion] figure do you most identify with?
My favorite will always be Gianni Versace and equally love what Donatella has done to expand the brand. I think it was the edgy elegance that I relate to. As a designer I want to incorporate a little danger into my elegance—not over the top—just enough to excite the customer.

What is your greatest [style] regret?
Haha….a mullet hairdo when I was young. I’m always surprised to see how this hairstyle survives today. Clothing wise, it would be the terrycloth polo shirts from the 70’s and 80’s. I’m sure both of these things really date me.

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Name: Tracie L. Keesee

Where do you live?
Elizabeth, Colorado (35 miles southeast of Denver! AKA Tibow Town!!)

What is your area of study?
MFA Fashion Merchandising

What is your current occupation?
Captain, Denver Police Department –Assigned to Homeland Security/UASI

If you were to die and come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
Grace Jones – (I’m coming back big and bold!! Flat-top and all!)

What is your most treasured possession(s)?
My family, my husband, especially my two grandchildren and my great-grandmothers pearls (the order may change dependent upon my mood!)

Who are your favorite [fashion] writers?
Celia Smith, Essence and Suzy Menkes, New York Times

Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to sing.

Which [items in your closet] do you most use?
My white Calvin Klein t-shirts and my DKNY boyfriend blazer.

What is the quality you most like in [yourself]?
My sense of (dry!) humor.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My family, and obtaining my PhD in Intercultural Communications while working full-time!

Name: Jessica P. Ly

Where do you live?
Cypress, CA located in northern Orange County

What is your area of study?
BFA in Fashion Design

What is your current occupation?
 I am a full-time student as of now, but I’ve been looking for a part-time job for months!

If you were to die and come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?
I’ve always admired the style of Rachel Bilson. She is so adorable and always looks put together. Her style is fun, flirty, and a good mix between girly and tough. Plus, she’s 30 now and still looks about 18!

What is your most treasured possession?
My health and my book collection. Couldn’t live without them!

Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could sing! I still do it all the time, but it would be a lot better for me and for others around me if my singing voice actually sounded nice.

Which [items in your closet] do you most use?
Definitely my favorite jeans. I have 2 pairs of the same ones since well-fitting pants are hard to find. And I am currently wearing this army green military-inspired jacket that I wear with everything all the time.

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Name: Sothon Heng

Where do you live? Memphis, TN

What is your area of study? BFA in Fashion Design

What is your current occupation? A payment and insurance processor

If you were to die and come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be? Kimora Lee Simmons

What is your most treasured possession? My shoes!!!!

Which talent would you most like to have? I would love to be able to walk in a fashion show – since I am short, that seems a little impossible.

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Name:Beatriz Rodriguez

Where do you live? I live in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

What is your area of study? BFA Fashion Design.

What is your current occupation? Swimwear Designer & Student

Which historical [fashion] figure do you most identify with? I would say Coco Chanel because she was determined, confident and elegant. Her taste was easily seen through her designs which were easy to wear and meant to empower women with style.

What is your greatest [style] regret? Style regret? I must say bell bottom 70′s pants hahahaha!

What is your current state of mind? Take one day at a time, then look back and learn from my mistakes for the future.

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Name: Kimberley Kjeldsen

Where do you live? Oslo, Norway

What is your area of study? BFA Fashion Merchandising

What is your current occupation?

Besides being a student, I work part time at Detaljer, a cute little boutique in Oslo. Nothing chic, but all very fun; I get to do some personal styling and be creative with the displays, and work with a fantastic team.

Which historical [fashion] figure do you most identify with?

Is Jane Birkin historical by now? I probably don’t identify with all things Birkin, she was a rowdy wild child after all, but she was a great style icon with her free spirit, a little quirky sixties, French chic charm.

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Today we begin a new feature on Fashion School Daily – the Proust [Fashion] Questionnaire. It is much the same as the famous Proust Questionnaire, but words have been added [here and there] to give it a sartorial spin.

We will be featuring our online students, beginning with those who attended the Online Student Workshop and Portfolio Review this past February at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Online students from near and far – very far – all descended upon NYC for a day workshops and seminars led by Academy of Art University instructors and industry insiders. And when we say far, we mean it – Taiwan, Norway, and Puerto Rico being the farthest – as well as all corners of the U.S.

In our inaugural edition of the Proust [Fashion] Questionnaire, we meet Anney Hsieh – our farthest traveler. Read on to see what her answers reveal and check back each week as we work our way closer to home!

Name: Anney Hsieh

Where do you live? Taipei, Taiwan

What is your area of study? BFA Fashion Merchandising

What is your current occupation?

I currently work at Christian Dior in the Jewelry sector, specifically in the watch department.

If you were to die and come back as [a fashion icon], who would it be?

Of course, Audrey Hepburn! She is just so elegant and fashionable.

What is your most treasured possession?

The knowledge I have gained. It was a great experience spending five years at the Academy of Art University, learning skills from all of my classes that are very useful. I feel lucky that I can gain knowledge from different instructors, which has greatly helped me in my job and generally to live a better life.

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Name: Whitney Holt

Where do you live? Laurel, MD, USA

Area of study: MFA Fashion Merchandising

Day job / occupation: Program Assistant for National Science Foundation/ Mother

What qualities do you most value in others?

Of all things I value honesty and trust.

Depending on your area of fashion industry insiders:

Designer – Vera Wang, Blog – Fashion Bomb Daily (www.fashionbombdaily), Store – It’s Vintage Darling (consignment store in DC)

List a guilty pleasure:

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE fashion magazines. I have tons and tons of magazines that I probably should throw away but everytime I try to I find myself somehow sitting down and reading them never making it to the trashcan lol. My favorite magazines are ELLE, W, and Vogue

What is your present state of mind?

I already have a B.A. (Psychology) and currently working on my MFA (Fashion Merchandising). I am very focused on my career goals and and dont allow too many distractions to get me off track. I am past the point in my life where all I wanted was to have fun living in a carefree world. I am very passionate about having a career in Fashion PR/Marketing so it’s not work to me, it’s simply doing what I have to do to get to my desired level in life.

What is your dream job?

I actually have two dream jobs! I would love to do PR/Marketing for Dolce & Gabbana and be a Professor teaching Fashion Marketing.

 What is the most important thing that people should know about you?

I put my all into everything that I do. I am for teamwork and helping those without wanting anyting in return. I am firm believer that you should help out as many people as you can in life, you never know who you may meet later in life or who you may need.

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Name: Shemeka Cisco

Where do you live? Savannah, Georgia

Area of study: MFA Fashion Merchandising

Day job / occupation:

Admissions Counselor/Recruiter for Savannah State University

What qualities do you most value in others?

Honesty….”say what you mean and mean what you say”, having a passion for something, whether it is life, family, career – just be passionate about SOMETHING!

Who are three of your favorite designers?

Rachel Roy, Tracey Reese, and Thierry Mugler.

List a guilty pleasure:

The Real Housewives of….(I watch them all!), pretty much any show on BRAVO, eating mint chocolate chip ice cream out of the container, reading fiction about vampires or anything “other worldly”, lounging around the house in my pj’s all day, TMZ, Mediatakeout.com, HBO original programing, last but never least…mafia movies.

What is your present state of mind?

Thankful for where I’ve been and excited about where I am going!

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