Alyssa was selected to be 1 of 15 students to participate in the International Manufacturing & Product Development (IMPD) advanced study program.

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IMPD students collaborated with Converse this year to create concept collections for Generation Z. The iconic label, which has been making Chuck Taylor All Star and OneStar sneakers for over one hundred years, challenged Advanced Study Students to create tops, bottoms, graphic tees, shoes, and outerwear for the target market of 17-year-old male and female consumers living in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and Milan. 

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Alyssa's particular challenge was to design female knit tops for the New York consumer, as well as outerwear and footwear.

The IMPD Program educates students to compete in the fast-paced community of manufacturing and product development. Communication and collaboration skills allow students to function as effective team members and leaders. 

Over the course of one year, fifteen students gained hands-on experience in all phases of the product development cycle from the initial concept and design through technical design, global sourcing, costing, production, and marketing to the consumer. Students participated in study tours in Europe and Asia to scout trends, source materials, and work with manufacturing facilities in the international marketplace. 

The concept collections created by the IMPD students were showcased to the industry, as well as family and friends, in a special event held at Hotel Indigo just blocks from FIDM in Downtown Los Angeles on March 15, 2018.