Summary

Located in Manhattan, New York City, the Fashion Institute of Technology is acknowledged as one of the leading fashion institutes worldwide and offers specialised undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as short courses in fashion, including fashion merchandising and fashion design. Part of the State University of New York (SUNY), it was founded in 1944 and offers nearly 50 degree programs and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for success in the creative economy. Noted alumni in fashion include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia, Ralph Rucci, and Bibhu Mohapatra.

History

In the 1940s, fashion and apparel industry members were faced with a dwindling number of qualified people to help them run and carry on their businesses. The next generation wanted to be doctors and lawyers—not tailors. A group of industry members, led by Mortimer C. Ritter, an educator with an interest in programs for young working people, and Max Meyer, a retired menswear manufacturer, set about organizing a school to ensure the vitality of their businesses.

First, they created the Educational Foundation for the Apparel Industries to promote education for the industry. The Foundation then obtained a charter from the New York State Board of Regents to establish a “fashion institute of technology and design.” The institute opened in 1944 with 100 students, and was located on the top two floors of the High School of Needle Trades.

Soon, supporters wanted to bring greater prestige to the industry by having the institute become a college with the authority to confer degrees. Industrialists and educators decided on two majors: Design (with programs in apparel, millinery, and textiles) and Scientific Management. The curriculum also included Liberal Arts. In 1951, three years after the State University of New York had been established and state law had provided for the creation of community colleges, FIT became the second SUNY community college empowered to grant the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. By then, there were 400 day students and about 1,000 evening students.

FIT received accreditation in 1957, and as the curriculum and student body grew, the college moved into its first real home—a nine-story building on Seventh Avenue in the heart of the garment district—in 1959. The building had been planned for 1,200 students; by 1963, there were 4,000. During this time, the college’s curriculum was growing beyond traditional notions of fashion, to include subjects like photography and advertising and interior design.

The college wanted to further expand its curriculum by offerings bachelor’s and master’s degrees— something that “was just not done” by a community college, according to the State University’s former chancellor. Representatives of the college and supporters in the industry and government lobbied hard to persuade legislators to allow FIT to do this. In 1975, an amendment to the Education Law of New York State permitted FIT to offer BS and BFA programs; another in 1979 authorized master’s degrees.

By this time, six more buildings had been added to the campus, including two dormitories, and the Shirley Goodman Resource Center, which houses the Gladys Marcus Library and The Museum at FIT The school continued to grow by adding modern facilities, like the Design/Lighting Research Laboratory and the Annette Green Fragrance Foundation Studio (the first of its kind on a college campus), making international programs available to students, and evolving its academic offerings.

Today, the campus encompasses an entire city block and serves more than 10,000 students. The college offers degrees in diverse subjects, such as Menswear and Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing, which are unique to the college, and Fashion Business Management, Visual Presentation and Exhibition Design, and Toy Design, the first of their kind in the country.

Courses

FIT offers a wide range of courses in 2025 that cater to disciplines in fashion, design, and business, emphasizing both theory and practical learning. The college provides a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for careers in the global fashion industry. Whether it’s fashion design, textile development, or marketing, students have the opportunity to explore specialized areas within their fields of interest.

For nearly eight decades, FIT’s Fashion Design program has cultivated leaders who continue to disrupt the fashion industry. The Fashion Design AAS program provides an essential foundation in computer-aided design, sketching, draping, pattern-making, construction, sewing techniques, and textiles. Once students earn AAS, they can apply for a BFA in Fashion Design. The BFA program offers concentrations in children’s wear, intimate apparel, knitwear, special occasion, and sportswear. Students will create designs informed by market research and inspired by history, art, and culture. Throughout, they will master advanced technologies, build presentation skills, and choose from a menu of design electives to customize their studies. The program culminates in an internship and a senior collection guided by acclaimed designers.

The two-year Master of Arts degree program in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice is an interdisciplinary, 50-credit program that offers comprehensive training in fashion and textile history and conservation theory and practice. In the second year, students have the option to concentrate in curatorial or conservation studies. The program will prepare students to enter the museum field as a curator, conservator, collections manager, or educator; to teach fashion and textile history; and to work in fashion and textile archives, auction houses, or vintage dealerships. In courses that examine the role of textiles, dress, and fashion in different societies and cultures, students are encouraged to take an innovative approach to the study of costume and textile history.

The Global Fashion Management (GFM) Master of Professional Studies graduate program, offered in collaboration with Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, Centro in Mexico City, and academic institutions in Asia, prepares students for top managerial and leadership positions in the international fashion industry. The program emphasizes leadership, applied creativity, problem-solving, and analytical thinking along with effective writing and presentation skills. The curriculum includes courses in production management and supply chain, global marketing and fashion brand management, culture and international business, corporate finance, politics and world trade, business policy, global retail management, entrepreneurship, and leadership. This selective program is tailored to professionals in retail, design, marketing and merchandising, supply chain, or related fields.

In addition to design, FIT provides a robust set of business-focused courses that address marketing, retail management, and global supply chains. Fashion Business Management has interesting topics that provide a comprehensive study of the business of fashion, including Product Knowledge for Merchandising, Social Media Applications for Fashion Business, Business Intelligence in Planning and Buying, Fashion Marketing and Digital Technology, Direct and Digital Marketing for Fashion Business.

For those interested in the intricate world of textiles, Textile Design emphasizes the global textile market, sustainability in textiles, and innovative fabric development, enabling students to engage with the most cutting-edge practices in the textile industry. Interesting workshops include Textile Design Studio Practices, Fundamentals of Screen Printing, Textile Arts in India, Designing with Emerging Materials (Interdisciplinary), Adobe Illustrator for Textile/Surface Design and CAD and Design Fundamentals for Printed Textiles.

FIT has also has specialised courses on Jewellery, Millinery and Accessories Design in addition to draping Techniques and Fabric Styling. While the two-year Jewellery Design AAS program trains students in the design and creation of jewellery, including presentation techniques, principles of production methods, and CAD technologies, the Fabric Styling BFA program provides a strong foundation in research, concept development, art direction, styling, and trend forecasting. Students have interned at Banana Republic, Vogue, Ralph Lauren Home, Marc Jacobs, Elle, and Donna Karan, with graduates working as trend forecasters, product development managers, style editors, wardrobe managers, and display and photo stylists.

Job Integration Rate

The job integration rate at Fashion Institute of Technology New York reflects its successful alignment with industry demands and its commitment to fostering career readiness among its graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers 2022 survey, approximately 84% of FIT graduates secured employment within six months of graduation, a figure that surpasses the national average of 79% across similar specialized institutions. This high placement rate underscores the effectiveness of FIT’s curriculum, which emphasizes experiential learning, internships, and industry partnerships. For instance, collaboration with leading fashion houses and retail companies, such as Macy’s and Calvin Klein, provides students with real-world experience that translates into employment opportunities.

Moreover, FIT’s strategic focus on industry integration extends to its robust career services and alumni networks, which facilitate transition from academia to the workforce. The college’s Career and Internship Center reports that over 70% of students participate in internships during their studies, with many securing full-time positions before graduation. Data from the college’s 2023 employment survey indicate that graduates working in fashion design, merchandising, and marketing typically receive offers within three to four months post-graduation, reflecting the strong industry demand for their specialized skills. This integration is further exemplified by the college’s notable alumni, such as fashion designer Carolina Herrera, whose career trajectory exemplifies the college’s role in preparing students for leadership in fashion.

Finally, the job integration rate at FIT is also supported by its focus on innovative program offerings tailored to evolving industry trends. The institution’s emphasis on sustainability, digital fashion, and e-commerce has enabled graduates to remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. For example, the introduction of the Bachelor’s program in Digital Fashion and E-commerce has directly responded to the growing importance of online retail, with recent graduates reporting a 90% employment rate within the digital fashion sector within six months of graduation.

Global MBA Ranking

As of 2023, the Fashion Institute of Technology New York is not ranked among the global MBA programs, primarily because it is recognised for its specialized undergraduate and graduate programs in fashion, design, business, and related fields, rather than traditional MBA degrees. Instead, FIT’s reputation is anchored in its industry-specific master’s programs such as the Master of Arts in Fashion Business Management and the Master of Fine Arts in Knitwear Design, which are highly regarded within the fashion industry.

While global MBA rankings from institutions like the Financial Times, The Economist, and QS typically evaluate broader business schools, FIT’s niche focus places it outside the scope of these rankings. FIT is recognized for its industry integration, innovative curriculum, and strategic location in New York City—a global hub for fashion, commerce, and entrepreneurship. Its programs are often praised for their practical approach, combining academic rigour with real-world industry exposure.

FIT’s offerings provide a unique value proposition that transcends conventional MBA rankings. Its alumni network includes influential industry leaders, and the institution’s partnerships with global fashion brands add to its prestige. Although it does not feature in traditional global MBA charts, FIT’s reputation within the luxury and fashion sectors, combined with its strategic positioning in New York City, makes it a compelling choice for executives and entrepreneurs aiming to deepen their expertise in the global fashion economy.

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