Summary

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a public college for design, fashion, art, communications, and business and technology connected to the fashion industry. It is set in Manhattan, New York City and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY). It was founded in 1944.

As of 2017, there were 8,846 full time and part time students enrolled, of which 8,661 were undergraduate and 185 graduate. All these students were enrolled across 4 major schools within the college: 4,489 students were taking part in the Business & Technology School; 3,322 in Art & Design; and 113 in Liberal Arts. Likewise, the School of Graduate Studies offers seven master degree for graduate students.

Many important and top figures of the fashion industry have performed the entire or part of their studies in the institution, including fashion designers Norma Kamali, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors (who did not complete his studies there), interior designer Scott Salvator and the film director Joel Schumacher.

The FIT aims to prepare students for professional excellence in design and business through rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning, and innovative partnerships. “A premier public institution in New York City, FIT fosters creativity, career focus, and a global perspective and educates its students to embrace inclusiveness, sustainability, and a sense of community.” FIT 

History

In the 1940s, fashion and apparel industry members were faced with a dwindling number of qualified people to help them run and carry on their businesses. The next generation wanted to be doctors and lawyers—not tailors. A group of industry members, led by Mortimer C. Ritter, an educator with an interest in programs for young working people, and Max Meyer, a retired menswear manufacturer, set about organizing a school to ensure the vitality of their businesses.

First, they created the Educational Foundation for the Apparel Industries to promote education for the industry. The Foundation then obtained a charter from the New York State Board of Regents to establish a “fashion institute of technology and design.” The institute opened in 1944 with 100 students, and was located on the top two floors of the High School of Needle Trades.

Soon, supporters wanted to bring greater prestige to the industry by having the institute become a college with the authority to confer degrees. Industrialists and educators decided on two majors: Design (with programs in apparel, millinery, and textiles) and Scientific Management. The curriculum also included Liberal Arts. In 1951, three years after the State University of New York had been established and state law had provided for the creation of community colleges, FIT became the second SUNY community college empowered to grant the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. By then, there were 400 day students and about 1,000 evening students.

FIT received accreditation in 1957, and as the curriculum and student body grew, the college moved into its first real home—a nine-story building on Seventh Avenue in the heart of the garment district—in 1959. The building had been planned for 1,200 students; by 1963, there were 4,000. During this time, the college’s curriculum was growing beyond traditional notions of fashion, to include subjects like photography and advertising and interior design.

The college wanted to further expand its curriculum by offerings bachelor’s and master’s degrees— something that “was just not done” by a community college, according to the State University’s former chancellor. Representatives of the college and supporters in the industry and government lobbied hard to persuade legislators to allow FIT to do this. In 1975, an amendment to the Education Law of New York State permitted FIT to offer BS and BFA programs; another in 1979 authorized master’s degrees.

By this time, six more buildings had been added to the campus, including two dormitories, and the Shirley Goodman Resource Center, which houses the Gladys Marcus Library and The Museum at FIT The school continued to grow by adding modern facilities, like the Design/Lighting Research Laboratory and the Annette Green Fragrance Foundation Studio (the first of its kind on a college campus), making international programs available to students, and evolving its academic offerings.

Today, the campus encompasses an entire city block and serves more than 10,000 students. The college offers degrees in diverse subjects, such as Menswear and Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing, which are unique to the college, and Fashion Business Management, Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design, and Toy Design, the first of their kind in the country.

Academics and Campus

Seventeen majors are offered through the School of Art and Design, and ten through the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology leading to the A.A.S., B.F.A., or B.S. degrees. The School of Liberal Arts offers a BS degree in art history and museum professions and a BS degree in film and media. The School of Graduate Studies offers seven programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Professional Studies degree.

FIT’s academic buildings are named for individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of FIT and the industries they serve

In addition to the degree programs, FIT offers a wide selection of non-credit courses through the Center for Professional Studies. One of the most popular programs is the “Sew Like a Pro” series, which teaches basic through advanced sewing skills.

FIT is an accredited institutional member of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. FIT publishes research on store branding and store positioning. In 1967, FIT faculty and staff won the first higher education union contract in New York State.

Campus Buildings

FIT’s academic buildings are named for individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of FIT and the industries they serve.

David Dubinsky Student Center

David Dubinsky was a labor leader who was president of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) for more than 30 years. He helped create the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), a federation of unions that organized workers in industrial unions, and was a founder of the American Labor Party and the Liberal Party of New York in the 1930s and 1940s.

Marvin Feldman Center

Marvin Feldman, FIT’s longest-serving president, held the position from 1971-92. During his tenure, the college began offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, enrollment grew to 12,000 from 5,000, and six new campus buildings were constructed, bringing the total to eight.

Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center

Fred P. Pomerantz was founder and former chairman of Leslie Fay, Inc., a leading New York producer of women’s apparel from 1974-82. He served on the Board of Directors of FIT’s Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries from 1967-78. After his death in 1986, the building was named for him in recognition of a donation by his son, John J. Pomerantz, a former member of FIT’s Board of Trustees and foundation.

Shirley Goodman Resource Center

Shirley Goodman came to the college in 1949 to help draft the legislation making FIT part of the SUNY system. She was a key figure in the college’s development and served for many years as executive director of FIT’s Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries (now the FIT Foundation), a position she held until her death in 1991.

Notable Alumni

Graduates, past students and alumni of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City include:

• Amsale Aberra – fashion designer of couture bridal gowns and eveningwear
• Reem Acra – fashion designer of couture bridal gowns and eveningwear
• Karen Allen – actress
• Jhane Barnes – fashion designer
• Timothy D. Bellavia – children’s author and illustrator
• Cailli and Sam Beckerman – fashion bloggers
• Fonzworth Bentley – hip-hop artist, entertainer, fashion designer
• Gessica Brooke – fashion and accessories designer
• Carolina Bucci – jewellery designer
• Lady Colin Campbell – writer and television personality
• Helen Castillo – fashion designer; cast members on season 12 of the reality television series Project Runway
• David Chu – President, Designer and CEO of Nautica International, Inc.
• Mandy Coon – fashion designer
• Radhika Khanna – fashion designer, entrepreneur, and author
• Francisco Costa – designer, Calvin Klein collection for women
• Angie Cruz – novelist and author
• Laura Dahl – fashion designer
• Chloe Dao – winner of the TV series Project Runway (season 2)
• Erica De Mane – chef, food writer and cookbook author
• Amy Devers – furniture designer and TV personality (Freeform Furniture, Designer People, Trading Spaces)
• Amber Lee Ettinger – model and actress
• Nina Garcia – Project Runway judge; editor-at-large, Marie-Claire magazine
• Laure Hériard-Dubreuil – French entrepreneur and founder of The Webster Miami
• Carolina Herrera – fashion designer, President of Carolina Herrera New York
• Caroline Hirsch – founder and owner of Caroline’s Comedy Club
• Elisabeth Jensen – former Disney Consumer Products executive; education advocate and candidate for United States House of Representatives elections in Kentucky, 2014
• Kilo Kish – singer/songwriter, textile artist, and painter
• Calvin Klein (1962) – founder of Calvin Klein, Inc.
• Frankie Knuckles – DJ and producer best known for his involvement in pioneering house music
• Agot Isidro – actress, singer, and TV show host in the Philippines
• Kyra Kennedy – socialite
• Michael Kors – President and CEO of Michael Kors
• Lady Starlight – performance artist; muse of pop star Lady Gaga
• Nanette Lepore – fashion designer and owner, Robespierre, Inc.
• Antonio Lopez, – fashion illustrator
• Roxanne Lowit – fashion and celebrity photographer
• Leon Max – President and CEO of Max Studios
• Melissa McCarthy – film and television actress, comedian, writer and producer; attended for two years
• Babette Pinsky, fashion designer
• Audrey Quock – model and actress
• Sara Rahbar (1976) – fine artist, attended 1996–2000
• Ralph Rucci (1980) – fashion designer, Chado Ralph Rucci
• Joel Schumacher – director, producer, writer, costume designer
• Angela Simmons – TV personality, fashion designer, CEO of Pastry Kicks
• Fabrice Simon – fashion designer and artist
• Naomi Sims – model and author
• Ramona Singer – TV personality, starred on Bravo TV series The Real Housewives of New York City
• Ivy Supersonic – hat designer
• Isabel Toledo – fashion designer
• Daniel Vosovic – runner-up of TV series Project Runway (season 2)
• Joe Zee – Creative Director of Elle Magazine, host of the Sundance Channel’s original program All on the Line
• Giovanni Palandrani – winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10
• Shivangi Lahoty – fashion designer

Mission, Vision and Initiatives

College Mission

FIT’s mission is to prepare students for professional excellence in design and business through rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning, and innovative partnerships. A premier public institution in New York City, FIT fosters creativity, career focus, and a global perspective and educates its students to embrace inclusiveness, sustainability, and a sense of community.

College Vision

FIT aims to be globally celebrated as the institution where students, scholars, and teachers cross traditional disciplinary boundaries to stimulate innovation

FIT aims to be globally celebrated as the institution where students, scholars, and teachers cross traditional disciplinary boundaries to stimulate innovation, partner with creative industries worldwide, and develop innovative design and business solutions. By focusing on the three major goals, FIT will become stronger by conscious design and be known as a strategic organization—one that applies available resources to greatest effect to achieve its vision.

1. Academic and Creative Excellence
   FIT will provide a rigorous learning experience built on the highest standards of academic and scholarly excellence; an environment that promotes creativity and experimentation; and diverse experiential learning with a variety of industry partners.
2. An Innovation Center
   The college will work with industries worldwide to help address key challenges, build an even stronger culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at FIT, and establish collaborations that translate creative ideas into action.
3. An Empowering Student Community
   FIT will build an inclusive community in which students engage with, learn from, and inspire each other—discovering how their differences and similarities promote creativity, intellectual and personal growth, and understanding.

College Initiatives

A central component of FIT’s mission, and woven throughout the college’s strategic plan, is a commitment to sustainability, diversity, and civility. One of the key goals of the FIT Strategic Plan is to create a campus that is purposefully diverse—one which, through its students, faculty and staff—reflects the pluralistic city, nation, and world in which we live. 

Through the establishment of various councils, task forces, and committees, President Joyce F. Brown has provided opportunities for members of the FIT community to celebrate and honor cultural diversity, to incorporate sustainability into both operational and curricular activities, and to foster discussion of respectful ways of living and learning in a higher education environment. The groups are charged with providing support for activities and encouraging dialogue throughout the institution. 

References

https://www.fitnyc.edu/about/index.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fashion_Institute_of_Technology#cite_note-1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_alumni_of_the_Fashion_Institute_of_Technology

https://www.suny.edu/about/fast-facts/

https://www.suny.edu/campuses/fit/

https://www.niche.com/colleges/fashion-institute-of-technology/