Benefiting student scholarships, with over 2,500 designer and vintage pieces from beloved brands and the coveted collections of Tracee Ellis Ross, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern, Lilly Singh, and more
FIT announces 27th on Sale, a new experiential shopping event open to the public, taking place at FIT on September 23 and 24. Named for FIT’s iconic location at 27th Street and Seventh Avenue—also known as Fashion Avenue—the “campus closet” will feature over 2,500 new and vintage pieces, including designer clothing, shoes, and accessories, in addition to several hundred new beauty products from beloved brands. Sale prices vary, with some brand-new items offered at up to 70% off retail. Each purchase makes a difference: Proceeds will provide scholarships and opportunities for FIT’s next generation of creative talent. Tickets are on sale on Luma, with prices starting at $10 with free admission offered on the final day of the sale.
Fashion finds at 27th on Sale will include donated preloved luxury items from the coveted closets of Tracee Ellis Ross, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Chastain, Laura Dern, Lilly Singh, Athena Calderone, Patricia Field, Elizabeth Stewart, Karla Welch, Tina Leung, Olympia Gayot, Karen Pittman, and Stacy London, to name a few. Donations from designer brands, stylists, and FIT alumni and board members include a wealth of new and preloved items from Michael Kors, Mulberry, Brandon Maxwell, Tory Burch, Wolk Morais, Hervé Léger, Theory, Citizens of Humanity, eBay, Fashionphile, Repurpose NYC, Roller Rabbit, NikeSKIMS, SKIMS, Stetson, Stuart Weitzman, Robert Graham, and Madewell.
“We’re thrilled to welcome style-loving New Yorkers to campus, where we’ll open the doors to FIT’s very own ‘fashion closet’—27th on Sale,” said FIT President Jason Schupbach. “Our incredible celebrity supporters, industry partners, and donors have contributed some of their favorite pieces, and I can’t think of anything more fashionable than their generosity in support of the next generation of creative talent. I’m especially grateful to our dedicated student volunteers who are making this event possible.”
27th on Sale is being brought to life by the FIT Foundation with input and support from FIT’s student Merchandising Society, the largest and oldest club on campus, which was created to provide real-world retail experience. From floor plans to pricing to staffing, students have been involved with every aspect of execution. Both the name and the concept for 27th on Sale were inspired by the historic Seventh on Sale fundraiser created by the CFDA and Vogue in 1990 to support HIV/AIDS organizations.
“I walked the halls of FIT as a student there, and this school became the foundation for the career I built,” said Joe Zee ’92, prominent fashion stylist, journalist, and producer. “To bring my relationships and experience back to FIT and work alongside my fellow co-chairs, the Alumni Advisory Council, and the FIT community to reimagine what a sample sale can be feels deeply personal. I was at the original Seventh on Sale and have been to more sample sales than I can count—but this event means more to me than scoring a deal. We are giving beautiful pieces another life while opening doors for the next generation. That, to me, is true luxury.”
While grooving to a playlist from WFIT’s on-site student DJs, shoppers are invited to drop by the Style Lounge, where fashion stylists will be available all day, providing complimentary advice and tailoring consultations. With a nod to the campus library, book sales and signings will offer shoppers the opportunity to connect with literary tastemakers Mona May, costume designer of Clueless and author of The Fashion of Clueless, and Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week (and a generous 27th on Sale fashion donor) and author of Fashion Icons 2: Fashion Lives with Fern Mallis. On September 24, New York Embroidery Studio, founded by FIT alum Michelle Feinberg, will offer complimentary on-site embroidery, including monogramming on shoppers’ newly purchased items.
Aziza Malik, Fashion Business Management class of 2026, has been a full-time merchandising intern for the event since May and now serves as the operations lead. Malik said: “Working on this event has been an opportunity to take what I’ve learned at FIT and apply it to a real fashion industry environment. I’ve developed and strengthened my skills in inventory management, organization, merchandising, visual presentation, operational planning, and team coordination. Through this, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the detail and collaboration required to execute a successful retail event and create a seamless experience for the customer.”
The event co-chairs are also FIT alums: Joe Zee, prominent fashion stylist, journalist, and producer; Molly Taylor, chief merchandising officer, Belk; and Lauren Ceravolo, senior director of strategic partnerships, Goop.
Opening on September 23, 27th on Sale will be held on FIT’s campus in John E. Reeves Great Hall. Shoppers should enter at 218 West 28th Street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues.
For those who can’t attend in person, a selection of rare celebrity items will be available online through October 8 on Charitybuzz.