The Division of Communications and External Relations is pleased to share FIT in the News, which reports highlights of major news stories about the college and/or that quote the college’s experts. These stories will be accessible for at least seven days by clicking on the links below.
ArtForum.com (April 9) announced that FIT is the recipient of a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant will be used for faculty development on the history of business and labor, to be taught to students in the School of Art and Design. Pickups include News.ArtNet.com (April 10).
FN Footwear News (April 2) devoted a full page to discussing FIT’s sustainability initiatives, which included a conversation with Jeffrey Silberman, professor and chair, Textile Development and Marketing. “Sustainability is so critical to FIT that it is a component of our mission and an integral part of the college’s strategic plan,” Silverman said.
CCDaily.com (April 16) reported on the appointment of Philips McCarty as vice president for advancement and executive director of the FIT Foundation.
FashNerd.com (April 13) announced Fashion Tech NY, a collaboration between FIT and Stockholm-based fashion technology company Neue, in which fashion design students will explore the integration of technology into garments and fashion business strategies. The three-month-long workshop, to be held in the FIT/Infor Design and Tech Lab, will “give students the opportunity to develop up to three high-end fashion-tech products ranging from the application of technology in fashion business operations to digitally connected garments.”
Observer.com (April 13) reported on the FIT/Infor Design and Tech Lab partnership with IBM and Tommy Hilfiger in which 15 students and three faculty members from three majors—Textile Development and Marketing, International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries, and Fashion Design—used IBM Research artificial intelligence to create innovative designs for Tommy Hilfiger.
Fashionista.com (April 11) reported on FIT’s annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference, and spoke with conference speaker Daniel Benkendorf, associate professor, Psychology, who offered suggestions for consumers interested in sustainability.
The Couture Council’s inaugural luncheon kicking off spring New York Fashion Week was covered by New York Lifestyles Magazine (April issue). The luncheon featured a tête-à-tête with Anish Melwani, CEO of LMVH, and was held at Avra.
WSJ.com (April 14) and The Wall Street Journal (April 16) spoke with Asta Skocir, associate professor, Fashion Design, for an article on upcycling—which the article defined as “luxury spins on second-hand clothing, repurposing them under the mantle of sustainability to appeal to socially conscious customers.” “It actually requires more creativity and ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking to re-imagine an existing garment and create something spectacular from it,” said Skocir. The article was picked up by CetusNews.com (April 14).
RetailDive.com (April 16) spoke with Shelly Kohan, assistant professor, Fashion Business Management, for an article on Gap, Inc. and their exit from Weddington Way, a bridal business they acquired in 2016.
BestLifeOnline.com (April 16) turned to Salvatore Giardina, adjunct assistant professor, Textile Development and Marketing, for an article on Italian craftsmanship.
Racked.com (March 22) spoke with adjuncts Ingrid Price and Isabel Rubio, from FIT’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies, for the article “Why You Can’t Afford Your Favorite TV Character’s Wardrobe.” “I am aware that it can be jarring to see a character in a wardrobe that’s clearly out of their price range,” said Price.
The New York Times, NYTimes.com (both April 12), and The International New York Times (April 15) included Dawnn Karen, adjunct instructor, Social Sciences, in an article about the psychology of fashion.
GenteBien.com.mx (Mexico, April 11) interviewed Tanya Melendez, senior curator of education, MFIT, about her duties at MFIT, who and what personally influences her, and her fashion style.
Washingtonian (April issue) included The Museum at FIT (MFIT) as one of their suggestions for touring “New York City—For Free.”
The Body: Fashion and Physique, currently on display at MFIT, received coverage on 3rdThirds.blogspot.com (April 12).
Norell: Dean of American Fashion, which closed at MFIT on April 14, received coverage on SaysMeSaysMom.com (April 11).