The Division of Communications and External Relations is pleased to share FIT in the News, which reports selected highlights of 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.
Virgil Abloh’s Legacy
Valerie Steele, director and chief curator, The Museum at FIT (MFIT) on the late designer Virgil Abloh: “One, as a Black person who became super important in the international luxury fashion industry at a very high level as influential and given quite a free range to go across different parts of the LVMH empire. That fits into the second aspect of why I think he is important — his disruptive ability to break down what seemed like barriers between different areas of culture and visual culture.”
Additionally, Mark-Evan Blackman, assistant professor, Fashion Design, gave two television interviews about the artistic vision and legacy of Abloh.
Fox 5 News WNYW
WNBC News Channel 4
Black Friday Shopping
Shelley Kohan, associate professor, Fashion Business Management, on Black Friday shopping: “Black Friday habits have been changing over the years, including shoppers starting earlier as retailers begin to offer promotions earlier. We’ve seen a lot of changes in how consumers are purchasing.”
Gucci
Valerie Steele, director and chief curator, MFIT, on Gucci: “It was a luxury house that had a jet-set, international audience. Lots of movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor and celebrities like Jackie Kennedy bought Gucci. It was glamorous.”
Return of Flared Jeans
Patricia Mears, deputy director, MFIT, spoke about the return of wide-legged jeans.
Viral Chair Purse
Elizabeth Way, associate curator, and Melissa Marra-Alvarez, curator of Education and Research, MFIT, spoke about the viral folding chair purse as seen on Selling Sunset: “There are certainly handbags that are not functional, but even the smallest, most fussy handbag—you can put something in it,” said Way. “It’s this ironic symbol of luxury. You’re this woman and you’re going out, and you don’t need to carry any personal effects on you. Just something that’s really pretty and showy and sparkly, ” said Marra-Alvarez.
Shopping for Slippers
David Ulan, adjunct, Accessories Design, on what to look for when purchasing slippers: “Shearling, especially with fur in towards the foot, is a great example of a material that can work well for feet which are always cold or feet that run warm even in cooler climates. The breathability and wicking of this natural material works quite well in both those feet types.”
Y2K Fashions
Colleen Hill, curator of costume and accessories, MFIT, on Y2K fashions: “Although grunge and deconstruction differed from minimalism in appearance, the basic premise behind all of these ideas was the same: they were a reaction to 1980s excess. As luxury started to return during the mid-1990s, it was quite provocative.”
Chalk FIT
Chalk FIT, an annual tradition since 2013, brings together fourth-year Illustration students to create chalk murals along the college’s concrete exterior walls. This year’s theme is “The New Normal”— a look at how students have persisted through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Museum at FIT (MFIT)
Ravishing: The Rose in Fashion
Posta-Magazine.ru (Russia)
Head to Toe
Stilettos to Sneakers: A Virtual Shoe Symposium
MFIT’s 25th fashion symposium, held virtually, brought together scholars and curators and their new research on the social and cultural significance of shoes. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator: “it’s not just that a shoe tells a lot about your age and profession. A lot of people believe they’re magical in a fairy tale way. Somehow, the right pair of shoes is going to change your life.”
Additional coverage was received on:
AMNY
Chicago Tribune
Atlanta Journal Constitution
KTLA (Los Angeles)
Click here for more FIT in the News.