Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, N.Y.)
Dates
- Existence: 1944-
Biography
The Fashion Institute of Technology was the brainchild of the educator Mortimer C. Ritter and the menswear manufacturer Max Meyer. The school opened in 1944 on the top two floors of the High School of Needle Trades. By 1951, there was enough support for the institute as well as students enrolled to warrant a degree program at FIT. That year, the school was granted the right to award an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. FIT received accreditation in 1957 and introduced a variety of courses, including Liberal Arts. During the 1960s, the curriculum grew to include interior design, advertising, and photography as subjects taught at the school. The following decade saw the school expanding to provide Bachelor's (in 1975) and Master's (1985) degree's, after years of lobbying State University Board of Education. FIT can boast about being the first to offer unique degrees in fields taught no where else in the U.S., such as Toy Design and Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design. There are 48 degree programs in total at FIT as of October 2020.
Places
Found in 47 Collections and/or Records:
Academic Affairs records
Allan F. Hershfield records, 1992-1997, 1992-1997
The records of Allan F. Hershfield include President's Reports from his administration as well as speeches and other written communications to the F.I.T. community.
Apparel Design Program, undated, circa 1950-1969
Photographs of professors and students desiging clothes, working on dress forms, doing research in museums, working in the design room, learning draping, making children's clothing, working from patterns, and sketching designs.
Betty Kirke records
Board of Trustees records
The Board of Trustees records consist of nine (9) records series; 1) Miscellaneous records; 2) Executive, Manager, or Administrator's office files; 3) Member records; 4) Bylaws; 5) Procedures for meetings; 6) Official minutes and hearing proceedings (the bulk of the series); 7) Minutes of Auxiliary Meetings; 8) Meeting agendas; and 9) Chartering documents, statutes, and establishment plan.
Bruce Davidson photographs, 1969, 1969
Photographs taken by Bruce Davidson. Stamped on reverse of photographs as copyright 1969 Magnum Photos. Also stamped FIT Information Services, Advertising Design, and Atmosphere Campus - In and Around.
CFDA 1989, 1989
This folder contains invitations, correspondence, CFDA voting procedure and lists of voting committees, minutes of meeting at the Carolyne Roehm showroom, a thrift shop proposal, Council of the arts contact list, minutes for the meeting for the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries. list of nominating committee, fashion group international list, and various correspondence with FIT.
Communications and External Relations records, 1946-, 1946-2024
Diversity Council records, circa 2005-2011, 2005-2011
The Diversity Council records include mission statements, newsletters, and other material created or sponsored by the Council.