sub-sub-series 1 - FIT Library Marketing Files, 1949-1995

Identity area

Reference code

US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.7.1

Title

FIT Library Marketing Files, 1949-1995

Date(s)

  • 1949-1995 (Creation)

Level of description

sub-sub-series

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

Related descriptions

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

Arrangement, description, and/or archival processing by James Ferguson, FIT, NY, NY, USA, 2020-2021.

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.

Accession area