Karen Sapione Coppola, Fashion Design ’92

Honored to attend the same school and follow the same career as my mother. Angela S. Sapione (Mazzulli) class of 1962.

That photo is from the 1961 FIT yearbook. They were in class, and as you can see, “learning to rip seams.” :) My mother graduated in 1962 and her major was Fashion Design, specializing in Childrenswear. She worked for Little Miss Celebrity designing girls dresses (sold at J.C.Penny), in what used to be the Woolworth building on 34th Street. Across from Macy’s. 

She worked there until she started a family, then worked out of our home as a seamstress. Specializing in wedding gowns and flower girls dresses. She passed away 2 years ago, but would have loved to see FIT turn 75. 

In 2nd grade, I was a fashion designer for career day. I took her portfolio to school with me, and didn’t look back. Haha. I graduated in ’92, and have been in the industry since. Half of my career as a designer, mostly children’s as well, but when I decided to have a family, I transitioned into print/textile design. For the last 14 years I have been at Aeropostale. I am the CAD Manager and oversee all print and pattern across all divisions.