Fashion Institute of Technology

Fashion Institute of Technology

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a State University of New York college of art and design located in New York City, New York, United States.


The Institute

Founded in 1944[1], FIT is a college of art and design, business, and technology of the State University of New York. Seventeen majors offered through the School of Art and Design and ten through the School of Business and Technology lead to the A.A.S., B.F.A., or B.S. degrees. The School of Graduate Studies offers programs leading to the Master of Arts or Master of Professional Studies degree. 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 Foundation for Interior Design Education Research.

Campus

The nine-building campus includes classrooms, studios, and labs that reflect the most advanced education and industrial practices. Below this facility is the college bookstore, Barnes & Noble at FIT. The Conference Center at FIT features the John E. Reeves Great Hall, a space suitable for conferences, fashion shows, lectures, and other events. The campus also has two large theatres, including the Haft Auditorium and the Amphitheatre. FIT serves over 6,500 full-time and 3,000 part-time students[2], who come not only from within commuting distances but also from around the nation and all over the world. Four dormitories, three of which are on-campus, serve approximately 2,300 students and offer a variety of accommodations.[3]

Location

FIT's urban campus is located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan on 27th Street from Seventh Avenue to Eighth Avenue.

Undergraduate majors and degrees

The college offers a two-year program leading to the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and upper-division programs leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.[4] Associate-level art and design majors are offered in:

* Accessories Design
* Communication Design
* Fashion Design, Fine Arts (with a career-exploration component)
* Illustration
* Interior Design
* Jewelry Design
* Menswear
* Photography
* Textile/Surface Design.
* Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design (Formerly Display and Exhibit Design)

In the business area, A.A.S. majors are offered in:

* Advertising and Marketing Communications
* Fashion Merchandising Management
* Patternmaking Technology
* Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries
* Textile Development and Marketing

Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are awarded in:

* Accessories Design and Fabrication
* Advertising Design
* Computer Animation & Interactive Media
* Fabric Styling
* Fashion Design
* Fine Arts
* Graphic Design
* Illustration
* Interior Design
* Packaging Design
* Photography
* Restoration
* Textile/Surface Design
* Toy Design.

Transfer students wishing to enter B.F.A. programs may have to complete the one-year A.A.S. program described below prior to entry into the upper division.

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in:

* Advertising and Marketing Communications
* Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing
* Direct Marketing
* Fashion Merchandising Management
* Home Products Development
* International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries
* Production Management: Fashion and Related Industries
* Textile Development and Marketing
* Visual Arts Management

The B.S. program is open to students who hold an associate degree from the college or an equivalent degree from another accredited institution. Graduates of other accredited institutions of higher learning or transfer students who have a minimum of 30 transferable credits and can satisfy the liberal arts requirements may enter any of the following one-year A.A.S. programs:

* Accessories Design
* Advertising and Marketing Communications
* Communication Design
* Fashion Design
* Fashion Merchandising Management
* Jewelry Design
* Textile Development and Marketing
* Textile/Surface Design
Graduate majors and degrees

Master of Arts Degree Programs

Art Market: Principles and Practices

A 48-credit, full- or part-time program preparing students for careers in the business, collection, and exhibition of art[5]. The curriculum includes art history, writing for the art market, gallery design and operation, business practices, computer technology for the art world, marketing, valuation and appraisal, exhibition theory, art law and professional ethics, and a required internship. Graduates find employment as art gallery directors, public art program directors, art consultants for private and corporate collections, art foundation administrators, museum marketing and development directors, independent curators, auction house department heads, and artists’ representatives.

Exhibition Design

A 36-credit, full-time program preparing students for careers in the exhibition design and visual display production industry[6]. Building on undergraduate, three-dimensional design experiences, the studio-focused curriculum centers on the designer’s role within the exhibition team, with emphasis on the development of design and fabrication skills, and includes an internship at an appropriate venue. Studio projects, such as museum and gallery design, traveling exhibits, and corporate collections, are linked to coursework in graphics, lighting, and presentation. Graduates go on to careers with architectural and exhibition design firms, museums, historic trusts, and special events companies.

Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice

A 48-credit, full- or part-time program preparing students for professional curatorial, conservation, education, and other scholarly careers that focus on historic clothing, accessories, textiles, and other related materials[7]. The curriculum includes conservation, material identification, and exhibition work with The Museum at FIT, and the study of art historical methodologies, anthropology, material culture, and gender studies. Students may elect to pursue either a curatorial or a conservation emphasis. An internship in the field is required. Graduates are employed as museum curators, fashion and textile historians, costume and textile conservators, collections managers and registrars, textile dealers and consultants, and museum educators.

Illustration

A 37-credit, part-time, evening and weekend program designed for working professionals seeking advanced study to develop their skills as master illustrators and strengthen their business acumen[8]. The program focuses on high-level techniques, new media applications, and illustration industry practices. The curriculum encompasses digital and traditional studio methods, entrepreneurial research and writing, and opportunities in new and emerging markets. Students graduate with the skills needed to succeed as freelance and in-house illustrators for advertising agencies, design firms, magazines, online media, and publishing houses.

Master of Professional Studies Degree Programs

Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing and Management

A 36-credit, part-time program providing industry professionals with high-level management skills, and an interdisciplinary, global perspective. The curriculum develops core business and marketing skills, and technical and creative competencies such as cosmetic and fragrance product knowledge, creative management, and an intellectual foundation in beauty and fashion culture. Each graduating class travels abroad to participate in an intensive week of meetings with leaders in major overseas markets. The program culminates in a team-based capstone seminar, with a final presentation to a panel of faculty and industry experts. Graduates go on to higher-level managerial careers at a range of prestigious companies within their industry.

Global Fashion Management

A 36-credit, full-time program offered in collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong and Institut Francais de la Mode in Paris that prepares fashion executives for senior managerial positions in the global marketplace[9]. The curriculum includes courses in production management and the supply chain, global marketing and fashion brand management, current technologies in the fashion industry, international team management, international culture and business, challenges to profitability, and politics and world trade. The course of study is completed in a three-semester period, with intensive seminar courses taught in each of the three participating institutions. Graduates go on to higher-level managerial careers at a range of prestigious companies within their industry.

Center for Executive Education

This is the only advanced management program in the U.S. specifically designed for senior management in fashion retailing, marketing and manufacturing.

Academic programs

Programs are designed to prepare students for creative and/or business careers in the fashion and related professions and industries. To qualify for the A.A.S., a student must be in degree status, satisfactorily complete the credit hours prescribed for a given major with approximately one third of all required credits in the liberal arts, achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0, and receive the recommendation of the faculty. To qualify for the B.S. or B.F.A., a student must be in degree status, satisfactorily complete the credit and course requirements prescribed by the major, and receive the recommendation of the faculty. A minimum of 60 approved credits is required; at least half of the credits required in the major area must be earned in residence at the upper-division level. If the student has an appropriate Fashion Institute of Technology associate degree, a minimum of 30 approved credits must be earned in residence at the upper-division level. Most majors offer internship programs in their courses of study.

Precollege programs (Saturday/Sunday Live) are available during the fall, spring, and summer. More than forty-five classes offer high school and middle school students the chance to learn in a studio environment, to explore the business and technological sides of the fashion industry, and to discover natural talents and creative abilities. Classes are taught by a faculty of artists, designers, and other professionals. High school credit may be earned at the discretion of each student's high school.

Off-campus programs

FIT's International Programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Management/Florence and New York provide international experience for students interested in careers in the global fashion industry. Offered to full-time, matriculated FIT students as two distinct programs leading to the A.A.S. and B.F.A. degrees, the curricula are taught in both New York City and Florence, Italy, with students completing a year of study in each city.

Textile/surface design majors may apply for a semester abroad at the Winchester School of Art or Chelsea College of Art and Design near London, the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, or Shenkar College of Textiles and Fashions in Israel. Fashion merchandising management majors may apply for semester-abroad study in merchandising at RMIT in Australia, Manchester Metropolitan University or University of Westminster in England, American University of Rome, CSIS Program in Florence, or Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Seventh-semester advertising design students may study at the London College of Printing's School of Graphic Design, Chelsea College of Art and Design, or Nottingham Trent University in England; seventh-semester students may also study international trade and marketing at the American University in Rome or Middlesex University in London. Advertising and marketing communications students may study for a semester at American University in Rome; CSIS Program in Florence; Institute Commercial de Nancy or Université de Paris, La Sorbonne, in France; or Middlesex University in England. Selected upper-division students majoring in fashion design may study for one semester at Nottingham Trent University or Central St. Martins in England; at Esmod in 22 cities worldwide including Paris since 1841; see www.esmod.com; at RMIT in Australia; or at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Graphic design students may study for a semester at Chelsea College of Art and Design, London College of Printing, or Nottingham Trent University. Brief off-campus courses are offered for credit during summer semesters and include fabric styling in Italy, fashion merchandising in London, fashion in France and Italy, international buying and marketing in Europe, and illustration in Italy.

Clubs and organizations

Number of registered organizations: 73

* Honor societies:
o Phi Theta Kappa
* Religious organizations:
o Christian Fellowship, Korea Campus Crusade for Christ, Chabad, Jewish Student Association, Muslim, Catholic
* Minority and international student organizations:
o Black Student Union, Filipino, Latin American Student Organization, BRAG, Italian, Scandinavian, South Asian, French
* Other organizations:
o A.A.T.C.C., Accessories and Millinery, Ad Group, Advertising Design, American Marketing Association, Anime Club, Athletics, Business and Ethics Research Society, Cheerleaders, Creative Showcase, Dance, D. E. C. A. , Direct Marketing, Display & Exhibit, Dorms, Fabric Styling, Fine Arts Club, FIT Theatre Ensemble, Francophone, Gospel Choir, Handbook, Hellenic, Holistic Healing and Lifestyle, Home Furnishings, Illustration Club, Interior Design, ICON, Jewelry, KCCC, Manufacturing Management, Menswear, Merchandise Society, Model Workshop, Packaging, Patternmaking, Photography, PRSSA, Radio (WFIT), Restoration, Snow Club, Student Council, Style Shop, Textile Design, Turkish Textile Design, West 27 (Newspaper), Yearbook, and LGBT & Friends of FIT.

Academic facilities

A modern campus with outstanding facilities for studying all aspects of a dynamic industry, FIT comprises an entire city block in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. The Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center offers up-to-date facilities for design studies: photography studios with color and black-and-white darkrooms, painting rooms, a sculpture studio, a printmaking room, a graphics laboratory, display and exhibit design rooms, life-sketching rooms, and a model-making workshop. The Shirley Goodman Resource Center houses the Museum at FIT and the Library/Media Services, with references for history, sociology, technology, art, and literature; international journals and periodicals; sketchbooks and records donated by designers, manufacturers, and merchants; slides, tapes, and periodicals; and a voluminous clipping file. The Gladys Marcus Library houses more than 290,000 volumes, including books, periodicals, and nonprint materials. FIT also has many computer labs for student use. The Instructional Media Services Department provides audiovisual and TV support and a complete in-house TV studio. Student work is also displayed throughout the campus. Fashion shows featuring the work of graduating B.F.A. students occur each academic year.

The Design/Research Lighting Laboratory, an educational and professional development facility for interior design and other academic disciplines, features more than 400 commercially available lighting fixtures controlled by a computer. The Peter G. Scotese Computer-Aided Design and Communications Facility provides art and design students with the opportunity to explore technology and its integration into the design of textiles, toys, interiors, fashion, and advertising as well as photography and computer graphics. Also located on the campus is the Annette Green/Fragrance Foundation Laboratory, an environment for the study of fragrance development.

Notable Alumni and Attendees

FIT's commitment to career education is still its hallmark and a source of pride to an institution whose industry connection is an integral part of its history. FIT counts among its alumni:

* Amsale Aberra [10], Fashion Designer of couture bridal gowns and eveningwear
* Reem Acra [11], Fashion Designer of couture bridal gowns and eveningwear
* Karen Allen, Actress
* Luis Antonio, Fashion Designer
* Christina Barba, Chief Fashion Officer of Bologna Fashions
* Timothy D. Bellavia, Children's Author / Illustrator
* Fonzworth Bentley, Hip Hop Artist, Entertainer, Fashion Designer
* Andrea Brueckner [12], Handbag Designer
* Reginald Bullock [13], Military Legislative Fellow, Air Force Major, Weapons Specialist, Author
* David Chu, President / Designer / CEO, Nautica International, Inc.
* Angie Cruz [14], Novelist and Author
* Manalé Dagnew [15], Fashion Designer of luxury bridal and Founder, Manalé
* Laura Dahl, Fashion Designer
* Vanessa De Leon [16], Interior Designer, Contestant on HGTV Design Star
* Marisol Deluna, Fashion Designer / Founder, Deluna By Design, Inc.- Marisol Deluna New York
* Amber Lee Ettinger, Model and Actress
* Joy Gryson [17], Handbag Designer / Founder, Gryson
* Carolina Herrera, President / Fashion Designer, Carolina Herrera New York
* Melanie Hervey, daughter of Vanessa Williams
* Norma Kamali, President / Fashion Designer, OMO Norma Kamali
* Calvin Klein, President / CEO, Calvin Klein, Ltd.
* Byron Lars, Fashion Designer, Byron Lars Shirt Tales
* Nanette Lepore [18], Fashion Designer
* Leon Max, President / CEO of Max Studios
* Marti Galovic Palmer, Producer, 60 Minutes / CBS News
* Ralph Pucci, Designer and Manufacturer of avant-garde mannequins
* Audrey Quock [19], Model and Actress
* Joel Schumacher [20], Director / Producer / Writer / Costume Designer
* Kari Sigerson [21] and Miranda Morrison [22], Footwear Designers / Founders of Sigerson Morrison [23]
* Fabrice Simon, Fashion Designer / Artist
* Naomi Sims, Model and Author
* Stephen A. Smith, Sportscaster, Host of now-cancelled "Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith"
* Steven Stipelman, Fashion Illustrator
* Ivy Supersonic, Hat Designer


As well as successful and talented professionals in entertainment, advertising, packaging, television, the design fields, merchandising, manufacturing, public relations, retailing, and more.

FIT is not only known for its fashion majors, but it also has outstanding Illustration and Merchandising departments.

The Museum at FIT

The Museum at FIT is one of the world's largest and most important collections of clothing, textiles, and accessories. The Costume Department includes 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present. The Textile Department includes 30,000 textiles dating from the 5th century to the present as well as 250,000 textile swatches and 1,300 sample books from all over the world. The museum has three galleries and maintains an active schedule of exhibitions relevant to fashion and related industries. Exhibitions are free to the public.

The museum's galleries provide a showcase for a wide spectrum of exhibitions relevant to fashion and its satellite industries. The annual student art and design exhibition is shown here, as are other student projects.

Fashion historian Valerie Steele was named Director of the Museum in 2003.

Recent Donations

* Nicolas Ghesquière for Cristobal Balenciaga
Graffiti mini dress
Gift of Balenciaga
* Zac Posen
Ball gown
Gift of Zac Posen
* Louis Vuitton
Oxfords
Gift of Louis Vuitton
* Joseph Frank
“La Plata”
Museum Purchase
* Vivienne Westwood
Amphora Suit
Gift of Annie Lennox

Trivia

* Among its inventive curricula, FIT has the unique distinction of providing the only accredited degree program for toy design in the United States.
* Forty percent of eligible students have converted FIT internships into full-time or part-time jobs upon graduation.
* FIT students come from all 50 states and from 64 countries.
* Eighty-eight percent of the students who register with FIT's Career Services Office find jobs following graduation — with 95 percent of these in the New York area.
* The titular character in Betsy's Wedding was an FIT student.