Fashion Institute of Technology

infobox University
name=Fashion Institute of Technology


established=1944
city= New York City
mascot= Tiger

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 [ [http://fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=Present:AboutFit:FitFacts FIT Facts at fitnyc.edu] ] , 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.

=The drop out=The nine-building campus includes classrooms, studios, and labs that reflect the most advanced education and industrial practices. Below this facility is the Barnes & Noble College Bookstore 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 [ [http://fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=Present:AboutFit:FitFacts:EnrollmentData Enrollment data at fitnyc.edu] ] , 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. [ [http://fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=Future:StudentServices:ResidentialLife FIT Residential Life Homepage] ]

= Location =

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

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. =More about it=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 in 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:
**Phi Theta Kappa
*Religious organizations:
**Christian Fellowship, Korea Campus Crusade for Christ, Chabad, Jewish Student Association, Muslim, Catholic
*Minority and international student organizations:
**Black Student Union, Filipino, Latin American Student Organization, BRAG, Italian, Scandinavian, South Asian, French
*Other organizations:
**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 [ [http://www.amsale.com/about/news/people/people.shtml Amsale in the news at Amsale.com] ] , Fashion Designer of couture bridal gowns and eveningwear
*Reem Acra [ [http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=ReemAcra Council of Fashion Designers of America Profile at CFDA.com] ] , 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 [ [http://www.andreabrueckner.com/ Andrea Brueckner Biography at AndreaBrueckner.com] ] , Handbag Designer
*Reginald Bullock [ [http://thehill.com/uncommon-lives/from-fashion-designer-to-weapons-specialist-to-hill-fellow-2007-04-10.html Article about Reginald Bullock from TheHill.com] ] , Military Legislative Fellow, Air Force Major, Weapons Specialist, Author
*David Chu, President / Designer / CEO, Nautica International, Inc.
*Angie Cruz [ [http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A83631 Article from The Austin Chronicle] ] , Novelist and Author
*Manalé Dagnew [ [http://www.manale.com/pages/about.htm Manalé Biography at Manale.com] ] , Fashion Designer of luxury bridal and Founder, Manalé
*Laura Dahl, Fashion Designer
*Vanessa De Leon [ [http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2006/07/hgtv_design_sta.html http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2006/07/hgtv_design_sta.html] ] , 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 [ [http://www.gryson.com/ Joy Gryson Biography at Gryson.com] ] , Handbag Designer / Founder, Gryson
*Carolina Herrera, President / Fashion Designer, Carolina Herrera New York
*Melanie Hervey, daughter of Vanessa L. 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 [ [http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=NanetteLepore Council of Fashion Designers of America Profile at CFDA.com] ] , 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 [ [http://asiancemagazine.com/main/200604_cover.php Asiance Article] ] , Model and Actress
*Joel Schumacher [ [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018580/bio Joel Schumacher Biography at Yahoo! Movies] ] , Director / Producer / Writer / Costume Designer
*Kari Sigerson [ [http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=KariSigerson Council of Fashion Designers of America Profile at CFDA.com] ] and Miranda Morrison [ [http://www.cfda.com/index.php?option=com_cfda_content&task=members_display&user_name=MirandaMorrison Council of Fashion Designers of America Profile at CFDA.com] ] , Footwear Designers / Founders of Sigerson Morrison [ [http://www.sigersonmorrison.com/indexflash.php Sigerson Morrison official website] ]
*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
*Michael Kors, President / Fashion Designer, Michael Kors

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

Infobox Museum
name= The Museum at FIT


imagesize= 300x250
map_type=
latitude=
longitude=
established= 1967 citation | title= Museum at F.I.T.: About | publisher=ARTINFO | year=2008 | url= http://www.artinfo.com/galleryguide/22155/8673/about/museum-at-fit-new-york/ | accessdate=2008-07-29 ]
location= Seventh Avenue @ 27th Street
New York, NY 10001 (United States)
type= Design/Textile Museum
visitors=
director= Valerie Steele
curator=
publictransit=
website= [http://www.fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=PresentGlobal:Museum Museum at F.I.T] 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

*FIT is the school Saved By The Bell's Lisa Turtle is accepted to in the episode, The Bayside Triangle.
*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.
*Character in Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist is from FIT.

External links

* [http://www.fitnyc.edu/ Fashion Institute of Technology]
* [http://www.fitnyc.edu/aspx/Content.aspx?menu=FutureGlobal:Museum Museum at FIT]

References