Fashion Institute of Technology
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Richard Streiter interview, 1995 May 9
No full textRichard Streiter wore many hats at FIT, but at the time of this interview he was the executive director of the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries. Streiter joined FIT from Pratt Institute as Dean of Students in 1973. He discusses his recruitment by Marvin Feldman and his immediate push for the creation of a comprehensive primary care health service at the school. Streiter fondly remembers the raucous four-year stint of Mardi Gras costume balls held in concert with other art schools as well as FIT’s own talent show. He performed a surprising jazz trumpet set his first year and ended up in the 1976 yearbook for “streaking” at that year’s show. Streiter explains the legislative struggles involved in getting the upper divisions established and commends Feldman for championing FIT’s two-year program. He then talks about how the globalization of the fashion industry is reflected in FIT’s vibrant student body. Streiter discusses the development of Polimoda in Italy and his own move to New Delhi to help establish the National Institute of Fashion Technology. It was a struggle, but Streiter had support from an advisory group in New York and fought for the school’s survival. Upon his return, Streiter held a series of leadership roles at FIT and ultimately became acting director of both the Educational Foundation and the Shirley Goodman Resource Center. He mentions early FIT exhibitions such as the retrospective on Charles James. He then discusses the structure and evolution of the Educational Foundation. Streiter ends the interview with a depiction of an FIT tour through China which he led
Lou Zaera and Aaron Schorr interview, 1994 December 8
No full textThis is an interview with Lou Zaera and Aaron Schorr. Zaera is a professor in the economics department with a background in engineering. He discusses early work at FIT with word processors and the growth in demand for computer labs. At the time of this interview, Schorr was a professor in the manufacturing department and was the college’s first academic computer coordinator. Schorr talks about learning basic programming through keypunch cards. The two discuss their hopes to network the computers at FIT in the near future. In 1988 Schorr joined the Electronic Learning Facility, part of the Teaching Institute, which was a program built to instruct faculty on computer technologies. They talk about how money from the state allowed for the expansion of the computer labs at FIT and how they have been able to build programs for each discipline. Schorr details close-knit relationships with both technology and fashion, and how he uses those connections to better anticipate the future of their industries. They discuss various funding channels for the initiative including industry donations, private patrons, and public assistance. The two talk about what it’s like to negotiate with technology vendors and talk about diversifying the platforms and software to better educate their students. Zaera touches on how computer education has evolved since his time at Carnegie Mellon and the two delve into the student demographics. They note that students struggle more with math and language barriers than they have in the past. Finally the two discuss distance learning, conferences and the valuable industry seminars at FIT
Norman Goodman interview, son of one of the original founders of FIT, Abe Goodman, 1985 February 8
No full textThis interview is with Norman Goodman, son of one of the original FIT founders, Abe Goodman. Norman discusses his father’s emigration from Romania and subsequent start in the garment business at age 11. Abe’s ascension in the garment business was swift, and he established A. Goodman Company in 1932. Norman describes the company’s set-up, and his father’s decision to largely employ fellow immigrants. In the 1940s, Abe introduced his son to Dr. Mortimer Ritter. Norman explains his own decision to attend FIT in order to manage his father’s business. He describes his time at school and FIT’s efforts to make a name for itself via a trade show set up by Arthur Tarsius. Norman graduated from FIT in 1948, but eventually chose to move into real estate. By the 1960s, Abe Goodman had liquidated his garment manufacturing business but continued working with others in the industry such as Mollie Parnis
Fashion Culture: Zandra Rhodes: 50 Fabulous Years in Fashion
No full textZandra Rhodes and Fern Mallis present, Zandra Rhodes: 50 Fabulous Years in Fashion, a book that celebrates Rhodes' 50-year career in fashion and textile design. Both a fashion trailblazer and a consummate textile designer, Zandra Rhodes has influenced the work of contemporary labels such as Mary Katrantzou and Alice Temperley. The book honors the centrality of textile design in Rhodes’s work, while exploring the versatility of her imagination throughout her long career.Due to copyright concerns, the video that plays from 2:00-5:20 will not be seen or heard
Fashion Culture: Building Community through Fashion in Harlem
No full textOn Tuesday, November 19, 2019, fashion anthropologist Mikaila Brown, PhD, led a discussion on gentrification, fashion, and the changing landscape of New York. Dr. Brown spoke with the owners of some of the longest standing boutiques in Harlem and explored how changing neighbor dynamics affect their experience as small business owners, fashion innovators, and community members.(Please note: Due to circumstances beyond our control, this video was not recorded in the highest quality.
Accessories 1900-2000: Part Two
No full textThe Museum at FIT presents “Accessories 1900–2000,” part two of a two-part introduction to the history of Western women’s fashion accessories. These two videos provide an historical overview for high school students interested in enrolling in FIT's Summer Live, a specialized precollege course, and for college students interested in introductory material to accompany their course work
Shoe Symposium: He Wore/She Wore: The Short History of High Heels
No full textElizabeth Semmelhack, director and senior curator at Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, shares the fascinating history of the high heel for The Museum at FIT's 25th academic symposium "Stilettos to Sneakers: A Virtual Shoe Symposium." This virtual event on December 3, 2021 brings together scholars and curators and their new research on the social and cultural significance of shoes
Shoe Symposium: The First Pair: A Look into Sneaker Culture
No full textLos Angeles native Christyna Pourhabib, editor of the coffee table book "The First Pair," talks about how sneakers become an entry point into the broader subjects of race, gender, class, and identity for The Museum at FIT's 25th academic symposium "Stilettos to Sneakers: A Virtual Shoe Symposium." This virtual event on December 3, 2021 brings together scholars and curators and their new research on the social and cultural significance of shoes
Fashion in the Nineties Symposium: "1990s Fashion Ephemera: Trends, Desire, and Exclusivity"
No full textGraphic designer Paul Boudens and assistant professor and director of the MA in Fashion Studies at The New School Parsons Paris Dr. Marco Pecorari discuss 90s Fashion Ephemera: Trends, Desire, and Exclusivity for The Museum at FIT's 26th academic symposium “Reinvention and Restlessness: Fashion in the Nineties” on February 11, 2022. This virtual event that focuses on the 1990s, explores how concepts such as globalism and technological advancement shaped fashion of the era
FIT 4th Semester Student Fashion Show: 2000 Fall
No full textFIT student fashion show featuring clothing designed by 4th semester F.I.T. students. Remarks by Prof. Carol Adelson, Dario Cortes, and guest critics Christina Perrin, Jeff Mashie, and Gigi Ferrante. Presentation of the critic awards to students followed by the fashion show