The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), based in downtown Los Angeles, has recently laid off 95 employees due to a decrease in enrollment. This is in addition to the layoff of 322 employees last fall. The institute cites business conditions as the main cause of the layoffs, linked with a sharp drop in student enrolment. Moreover, the proposed acquisition of FIDM by Skema Business School, a France-based educational institution, was canceled just one day ahead of finalizing the deal. Skema backed out due to untenable U.S. Department of Education requirements.

FIDM was founded in 1969 and has been known for its wide array of fashion and design programs. However, due to the recent challenges, they are shifting their focus towards the business management and marketing sectors of the creative industry. In 2022, the school reported an enrollment of 1,381 full-time students, a 58% decrease from its 2012 figures. In order to adjust to their smaller budget, FIDM shut down its three additional campuses in San Francisco, Orange County, and San Diego between 2020 and 2021.

The institute’s accreditation status is also at stake. Despite improvements in certain areas, it still faces major concerns regarding its long-term financial sustainability. In order to alleviate these challenges, FIDM recently entered a financial agreement with Arizona State University (ASU). ASU plans to purchase FIDM’s downtown location and the rights to its intellectual property while renaming its fashion education programs ASU FIDM.

Future endeavors for FIDM primarily involve educating their students and navigating their future, particularly in the absence of the Skema deal. Layoff notifications were made to the state’s Employment Development Division (EDD). You can gather more information regarding layoffs or employment status by visiting eddcaller.com, which provides relevant procedures on how to contact EDD, and details on California unemployment customer service. It also provides insights on the fastest way to get through to EDD and various tips, including how to talk to a live person at EDD in California.