Fashion Institute of Technology

This September 23–24, FIT reimagines the sample sale with 27th on Sale, a multi-brand shopping experience featuring a curated selection of clothing and accessories from contemporary and designer brands alongside pre-loved luxury finds.

Proceeds from the sale will benefit tomorrow’s creatives by supporting FIT students, scholarships, and creative programs.

Learn more at fitnyc.edu/27thOnSale

Proceeds from the event directly support FIT students, scholarships, and creative programs.

We are incredibly grateful to philanthropist Ruth Ann Harnisch via The Harnisch Foundation, for this generous gift in supporting two very important initiatives: the Department of Special Collections and FIT Archives and the Fashion History Timeline, a hub for fashion research: https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/. Learn more at FIT's Newsroom: https://fitnyc.pub/harnischgift

We're proud to share a $400,000 gift to the Fashion Institute of Technology, split between two projects we believe in.

$300,000 goes to FIT's Special Collections, funding an archivist to process 400 linear feet of materials — including the fashion illustration archives of Gladys Perint Palmer, Kenneth Paul Block, Robert Passantino, and Robert Melendez, plus the papers of hair journalist Helen Oppenheim and visual merchandising designer Lucy Bouwman. Their work will finally be searchable and accessible to researchers, students, and historians.

$100,000 goes to FIT's Fashion History Timeline, a free, open-access resource that already reaches nearly 7,000 people a day during the school year. This funding takes it global — commissioning new scholarship on dress history across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania, and recording oral histories with Indigenous and underrepresented designers.

Two different investments, one goal: making sure fashion history gets preserved, is accessible, and is told by more than one perspective.

Learn more about the gift at the link in the comments.

Fashion Institute of Technology Library

Mark your calendars FIT alums!

Friday, October 23 to Sunday October 25, FIT invites you to return to campus and reconnect with friends during our third annual Alumni and Family Weekend—with a few surprises in store this year.

Good things come in threes, so here's what you can look forward to:
1. Visiting the Alumni Bazaar to discover up-and-coming brands owned and operated by alumni makers and founders.
2. Getting dressed up and celebrating the anniversary of your graduation amongst fellow alumni at the Decades Dinner.
3. Getting advice from career superstars or sharing your own two cents with current students at the Industry Networking + Mentorship Luncheon.

The full schedule—30+ events and counting—is coming soon. Plan your visit and learn more at fitnyc.edu/alumniweekend

Calling all FIT Alumni - Don't miss out on this opportunity!

Euro summer is almost over...but when you're an FIT Alumni, travel and discovery is year-round. After an overwhelming amount of interest, we are pleased to announce a second date added for an FIT Alumni trip to Japan, March 20-31, 2027!

⛩️ FIT alumni will cross the globe to visit Kyoto, Tamano, and Tokyo, experiencing the best of fashion from Ginza Fashion District to the birthplace of Japanese denim, with plenty of culture, history, and cuisine along the way.

👖 While in Tamano, travelers will have a chance to relax at a natural Japanese hot spring and take the ferry to Naoshima Art Island, followed by visiting a working indigo farm with a hands-on indigo dye workshop.

✈️ Registration for the second trip is now live. Sign up before spots fill up (our last trip sold out in less than an hour!) for the experience of a lifetime, shared with fellow alumni. Learn more at the link in our bio.

We’re serving looks!🎾
Five FIT Fashion Design undergrads brought their A-game in the returning design competition in collaboration with IHG Hotels ahead of the .

Using tennis balls as their inspiration (and their materials), they created statement dresses worthy of center court.

First place went to student designer Kaeden Quinto, whose garment will be displayed at the IHG Garage Alle on the US Open grounds all tournament long!

Catch every final design at the Museum at FIT through August 10th, and then at select IHG hotels.

Congratulations to all the finalists:

1st Place: Kaeden Quinto
2nd Place: Ashley Giraldo
3rd Place: Tanisha Patel
4th Place: Gabriella Iannace
5th Place: Uzma Samy

Exciting news! We hope you'll consider joining us for this celebrated annual luncheon in support of The Museum at FIT. The event raises critical funds for the museum, which is free and open to the public and widely recognized as "the most fashionable museum in New York City." Renowned for its groundbreaking, award-winning exhibitions, the museum is home to a permanent collection of more than 50,000 garments and accessories spanning the 18th century to today. Tickets are available now: https://fitnyc.pub/ccl-2026

We are thrilled to announce that Diane von Furstenberg will receive The Museum at FIT's 2026 Couture Council Award for her transformational influence on women’s fashion. The award will be presented at the Couture Council Luncheon on October 22.

“Fashion is truly the zeitgeist, and no institution understands that better than FIT,” said von Furstenberg. “From the excellence of the college to the distinction of the museum and its public programs, FIT continues to promote and engage the creativity of generations to come. I am very thankful to be recognized and honored by such a renowned organization.”

“Ever since she launched her iconic wrap dress in 1974, Diane von Furstenberg has been one of the most charismatic fashion figures in the world,” said Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at FIT. “Internationally recognized today for her fashion, philanthropy, and commitment to empowering women, DVF is truly the empress of American fashion.”

Photo courtesy of Diane Von Furstenberg

https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/couture-council/diane-von-furstenberg.php

“The rise of AI is sharpening our understanding of just how valuable authentic human creativity is,” wrote President Jason Schupbach in an op-ed published today in Fast Company. “That is what a creative education tied to real world workplace experiences is designed to nurture.”

Exciting news! President Schupbach announced his plans to take FIT into the future. Visit Lnk.bio/FITNYC

A little drop with a big job!

Last month, Stitch got to meet Drippy, NYC DEP’s new official mascot—a creative collaboration between the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, FIT, and NYC’s Department of Design and Construction.

Designed by students and faculty from FIT’s Illustration BFA and MFA programs through the Town+Gown NYC partnership, Drippy first emerged from “Drippy’s Water Adventure,” an interactive educational project exploring New York City’s water system through visual storytelling.

Now stepping into an official citywide role, Drippy will help introduce New Yorkers of all ages to environmental stewardship, conservation, climate awareness, and the journey of NYC’s drinking water.

Drippy officially debuted at Archer Elementary School in the Bronx ahead of a summer of appearances across all five boroughs.

Congratulations to the students of the School of Art and Design and the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences! Go out and show off those brilliant, unconventional minds and make us proud! And with that, we close out our final Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026.

Photos © Joe Carrotta (Photography ‘17)