FASHION INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (FIT)
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY)
227 West 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
"FIT takes innovation to skyscraper heights!"
The schools mission statement is:
FIT prepares students for professional excellence in design and business though rigorous and adaptable academic programs, experiential learning and innovative partnerships. A premier public institute in New York City, FIT fosters creativity, career focus and a global perspective and educates it's students to embrace inclusiveness, sustainability, and a sense of community."
Located on 7th Avenue - which is known as Fashion Avenue, this has been the schools home since it opened in 1944. It was founded by Mortimer Ritter, an educator who was informed by the fashion and apparel industry that the future was uncertain for them as young people were interested in becoming doctors and lawyers - not tailiors
Together with retired menswear designer, Max Meyer, they got a charter from the NY State Board of Regents and established the Fashion Institute of Design and Technology. It opened in 1944 with 100 students, the first classrooms being the top 2 floors of the High School of Needle Trades.
The school is still in operation - grades 9-12, under the name of High School of Fashion Industries. I never knew.
VISION- FIT has 3 major goals leading the school to be academic and creative excellence and "globally celebrated" - isn't it already?
ACADEMICS
"Our courses reflect what's happening everyday in corporate offices and showrooms and studios around the world" and the fashion design program is one of FIT's original fields for study. Fundamentals include draping, pattern making, sewing techniques, and CAD designing. The school wants the students to use their creative vision to make their own brand of fashion. FIT feels that with it's close ties to the industry that students will graduate a professional as they enter this challenging industry.
Top designers serve as "critics" to help a student create a garment for FIT's ongoing exhibit (I look forward to seeing that on our tour) or for the annual student runway show. Critics include Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein, and Norma Kamali. Bob Mackie used to make over the top outfits for Cher back in the day.
You couldn't wait to see what she was going to wear next!
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Cotton Incorporated, Lululemon Athletica are some of the sponsors involved with the students catwalk show. The schools Internship Center strongly encourages the students to connect with these industry partnerships - such as Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hillfiger, and Ralph Lauren to name a few. He'd be my first choice!
Some of the other degree programs at FIT include Fabric Styling, Accessory's, Interior Design, Advertising and Packaging Design and Toy Design. I could see going into packaging design for the advertising world - but what does toy design have to do with any of this? It's got to be more than just the new Barbie Doll!
The course describes how fun follows function in creating educational, safe, fun and enlightening toys. Fun.
FIT has 60 student clubs, ample opportunity for community services, a college newspaper and radio station to work on. Some of the clubs are archery and figure skating - two hobbies of Mimi's, culinary, hula hoop and a salsa club. Salsa! When our tour guide at Pratt told us she was in the Salsa Club, I asked her where they danced? She replied "Oh, I mean the kind with chips to eat!" They dance at FIT.
APPLYING TO FIT
is a multiple step process, so here we go:
1) File a SUNY online application. FIT is a part of the State University of New York so you start there. SUNY will send you a confirmation that they have received it and that it's on it's way to FIT, who will then send a confirmation e-mail that they have received your application.
2) On the application you will need to fill out your academic history - not your high school transcripts, those are sent separately - but writing out where you've been in school and for how long. The next step is the first of two essays, the second is with your portfolio.
Now, Mimi's good friend William just told me he has a friend that kept getting additional essay requests from FIT and it finally added up to 5 essays! 
Where they interested in his/her work but couldn't get a handle on who they were or were they competing for a slot?
Where they interested in his/her work but couldn't get a handle on who they were or were they competing for a slot?
Well, the first essay is pretty straight forward: What makes you a good candidate for FIT (or fit for FIT!) and why is fashion for you? They say this is a good time to talk about your experiences, activities, and accomplishments and no more than 750 words.
SAT AND ACT ARE NOT REQUIRED! Unless you are headed into the honors program
PORTFOLIO
You can submit your portfolio anytime once SUNY and FIT have your application. The portfolio requirements will consist of a design test, a sewing test, and a written essay. Online submission is preferred but you have the options of the mail and in person. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AS THEY WILL NOT BE RETURNED!
DESIGN TEST:
1) Create a mood/inspiration page for the following "mix and match" design assignment. The mood page should include a image(s) that have inspired what you created. Include a short written explanation of how the designs have been inspired by the mood page image(s). Also include the destination and season that 
your designs will be worn in.
your designs will be worn in.
2) Draw original garment designs in color - medium of your choice. Show mix and match separates that can work together. 1) design a jacket 2) top - and use it twice once on each of your two figures 3) pant 4) and a skirt.
Sketch the designs on two figures in color. Include back views of the garment either on figure or flat sketch. Attach actual fabric swatches and identify the fabrics on the front of the sketches
Original artwork can be computer generated and copies must be in color.
Sketch the designs on two figures in color. Include back views of the garment either on figure or flat sketch. Attach actual fabric swatches and identify the fabrics on the front of the sketches Original artwork can be computer generated and copies must be in color.
SEWING TEST
Submit a minimum of 3 garment photos - front and back. You can use a commercial pattern or design your own, they want to see your construction. I understand but...
**Since they want you to create a look and provide the fabric swatches you would think that these garment photos should be of what you created all the way through sewing - but that's not clear right now. I am going to submit a question and if that doesn't answer if some of your submission NEEDS to be of what your created in the previous step, then I've got our tour in a month.**
ESSAY
Again, this is separate from the one with the initial application and you have to use 8 1/2 x 11 white sheet of paper (I guess someone got a little too creative at one point!) In 250 words or less, provide an example of when your point of view differed from a teacher or employer. Describe how you handled the situation.
I suppose yelling that they are a brainless nit, throwing a chair across the room before storming out in tears is not what they are looking for here!
Mimi and I hoping that the design and sewing challenge is the same from year to year so she could get started now, but we know that's not going to happen - plus the date stamp of 2014 clinches it.
The school of FIT would be focused, fun, challenging and rewarding for anyone wanting to get into the fashion design world.
Pam
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