Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1949-1995 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
65.5 linear feet; 44 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Marketing Files were among the resource collections available in the library's former Vertical Files unit. The Vertical Files unit was located in the library’s former Reference Room, with a service desk near the Reference Desk. The Vertical Files footprint was largely composed of dozens of filing cabinets filled with research materials that were gathered, processed, and organized by the staff over decades. These unique resource collections included Forecasting services, Designer Files, Picture Files, Fashion Files, Costume Files, and Marketing Files. This unit was closed in January, 1996, and these files were reassigned to other units within the library. The Marketing Files were the last collection from Vertical Files to be assigned a permanent home when they came to Special Collections and College Archives in 2016.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Transferred to Special Collections and College Archives from Research and Instructional Services, originally created for Vertical Files department of Gladys Marcus Library.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Marketing Files were a unique research collection created and originally kept in the library's former Vertical Files unit. They were popular resources for researchers before the internet dominated such searches. The files were largely composed of thousands of articles related to the business and marketing side of the fashion industry that were clipped, photocopied, pasted, or laminated by the Vertical Files staff. They also included promotional and informational materials such as pamphlets, booklets, press kits, annual reports, financial reports, industry studies, and catalogs. These collected materials are grouped chronologically within each folder, and the folders are arranged alphabetically by company within each alphabetical topic. These topics include the apparel industry, cosmetics and toiletries, furs, leather, licensing, and retail stores. The dates of these collected materials range from 1949 to 1995. (The Vertical Files unit was closed in January, 1996.) Upon introduction to the College Archives these folders filled 131 archival boxes, but those have been weeded for online redundancy and condition. The remaining hard-to-find materials are now housed in 44 boxes containing 201 folders. These files might appeal to students of Fashion Business Management, Global Fashion Management, and International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries who are researching the history of various aspects of the industry.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Alphabetical by subject by internal decision.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and College Archives. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at fitlibsparc@fitnyc.edu or call (212) 217-4385.
Conditions governing reproduction
The Department of Special Collections and College Archives does not own copyright for all material held in its physical custody. It is the researcher's obligation to abide by and satisfy copyright law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#108) when copying or using materials (including digital materials) found in or made available from the department. When possible, the department will inform a researcher about the copyright status of material, the researcher's obligations with regard to such material, and, wherever possible, the owner or owners of the copyrights. Any and all reproduction of originals is at the archivist's discretion.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
The Library of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Department of Special Collections and College Archives, 27th St. at 7th Ave., NY, NY , USA, 10001
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
AAT; ANSI; DACS; DCMI; ISAD(G); ISO; LoC; NISO; etc
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English
Script(s)
- Latin
Sources
Archivist's note
Arrangement, description, and/or archival processing by James Ferguson, FIT, NY, NY, USA, 2020-2021.