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US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.3 · item · 1996 May 21
Part of Academic Affairs records

Alan Fishman, the son of Shirley Goodman, discusses Goodman’s role in the early days of FIT. Goodman had worked on the World’s Fair with Grover Whalen, and was eventually introduced to the group of successful businessmen who were founding the institute out of the High School of the Needle Trades. Fishman describes his mother’s intense and lasting advocacy for the institute, though she came in without fashion industry experience. Fishman began working in the FIT mail room during his high school years. He recalls putting fliers together to announce that FIT was building a new building with the firm Deyoung & Moskowitz. Fishman then launches into a colorful description of the exchange trade fair with the U.S.S.R. in Moscow. He witnessed the infamous “Kitchen Debate” between Nixon and Krushchev and performed with a host of American models to showcase the American take on fashion. Following that summer, Fishman attended Cornell and graduated in 1966 with two years spent in Italy. He was briefly drafted, but exempted from service in Vietnam due to his family situation. He returned to FIT in 1966 as a part-time faculty member in the Fine Arts Department. Fishman discusses FIT’s international involvements and his placement at the Polimoda school in Florence, Italy for 7 years at the behest of Marvin Feldman. He describes FIT’s demographics in the 1960s and how those have changed in the years since. He then discusses other roles he has held at the school including time spent working with Deyoung & Moskowitz on the development of the FIT campus. He explains the Fine Arts Department’s role at FIT and the founding of the Artisan Space Gallery. Finally, Fishman notes his mother’s involvement with the “Inner Circle,” an elite group of leading women in the fashion industry.

Fishman, Alan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.6 · item · 1987 November16
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Alan Reyburn talks about restuaranteuring in the context of the retail world. Reyburn ran all food operations at Bloomingdale's during the 1980s, including staff restuarants. After briefly describing his past hospitality job working for a cruise line, Reyburn explains that New York City is a restaurant city and the Bloomingdale's client is someone who considers food and dining to be part of the fashionable lifestyle. Reyburn attributes Bloomingdale's Marvin S. Traub for having the total vision that included food operations as part of the Department Store's success. Most notable among Reyburn's projects while at Bloomingdale's was Le Train Bleu, a rooftop restuarant designed to look like the luxury train used by travelers going between Paris and the Mediterranean. Reyburn shares a number of anecdotes about the inception, operation, and overall concept of Le Train Bleu. As Bloomingdale's was one of the few department stores to have its own restuarant at the time, Reyburn explains the challenges specific to running a restaurant within a retail environment. In regards to service, Reyburn believed that good service in the restaurant was even more important to the Bloomingdale's client than good service on the sales floor. Having traveled with Traub for business, Reyburn describes the Bloomingdale's CEO as being indefatigable, an adventurous eater, and keenly aware of his surroundings. He also describes Traub as having more vision than most retailers, seeing a broader picture and having a shorter temper.

Reyburn, Alan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.10.22 · item · 2018 December 5
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Mr. Kresch recalls his 95 years of life, including his childhood in Brooklyn, what inspired him to get interested in art, his student relationship with the artist Hans Hofmann, his time in the air corps during WW2, and his time at FIT, Parsons, and Pratt working as an art professor.

Kresch, Albert
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.6 · item · 1994 November 1
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview with Dr. Alfred Sloan, Jr. he discusses his 1958 arrival at FIT following two years of teaching at Orange County Community College, another SUNY school. He was a veteran of World War II and had spent over ten years working in the fashion industry. Sloan discusses FIT’s first home at the Central High School of Needle Trades and their eventual move to the C building. Sloan lists various founders of the school and their roots on 7th avenue in the garment industry. He describes how the fashion buying and merchandising department has grown over the years thanks to strong industry support. Sloan then mentions Rosalind Snyder and the birth of the liberal arts department at FIT. He applauds the success of FIT’s curriculum and mentions that it has served as a model for other fashion schools across the world. Sloan notes that from the 1940s to the mid-1960s, FIT had a community service requirement for students. He mentions several department Chairs and FIT’s model of requiring professional studies in the first two years in contrast to traditional liberal arts colleges. He lists the courses he teaches and mentions student placement rates. Sloan then discusses the historical success of women at FIT; a characteristic of the school he finds particularly important. Sloan describes the results of an ongoing demographic survey his department asks students to complete and FIT’s international reputation. He finishes the interview with memories of the referendum on FIT’s name in the 1970s and a brief moment of fame on the now defunct FIT baseball team.

Poll, Carol
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.8 · item · circa 1994-1995
Part of Academic Affairs records

Allan Hershfield, who had been the president of FIT for 2.5 years at the time of this interview, elucidates the qualities that set the school apart from other higher education institutions by explaining the school’s direction and high placement percentages. He details close relationships with the industry via advisory councils such as the Fragrance Action Council and emphasizes the economic impact of the apparel industry on the city of New York. Hershfield talks a bit about the international nature of the workforce and describes a soon-to-be FIT design incubator. He also mentions the board of trustees and describes FIT’s advantageous status as both a SUNY school and community college. Hershfield then delves into the Educational Foundation and scholarships made possible by founders such as Morris Haft. He describes the bi-partisan legislative support FIT receives, and finally, discusses student projects and a particularly underestimated alum who became an extremely successful bridal designer.

Poll, Carol
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.3 · item · 2011 June 24
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Anka reflects on her career as a professional model, working first in Paris and then the Unites States during the 1960s and early 1970s. Anka begins by discussing her heritage and family background, and her childhood in Egypt. Anka explains how she began modeling when she was 17 years old and recounts beginning her career as a model working in Paris with many notable 20th century fashion photographers. Anka discusses meeting Eileen Ford in Paris and how Ford took Anka under her wing once she moved to New York in 1959. Anka reflects on her experiences living with the Ford family and working as a Ford model, mentioning key bookers and agents who worked with her in New York. Anka discusses meeting, dating, and marrying singer Paul Anka, retiring in the early 1970s, and raising 5 daughters. Guided by Sicular, Anka reviews her portfolio and shares stories surrounding a few of her favorite photographs and photographers. Sicular makes a point of focusing on Anka’s composite card (13:50), explaining how in a pre-digital industry the card functioned as model’s primary means of promotion. At the end of the interview, Anka speaks on the phone with her former booker, Rusty Donovan Zeddis.

Anka, Anne
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.6.3 · item · 1993 August 26
Part of Academic Affairs records

Interview with Annette Green about her work with the Fragrance Foundation, 1993 August 26. They start at the beginning of the company, Green's initial introduction and eventual rehabilitation of the foundation, and it's current position in the industry. Green discusses her involvement with starting the Cosmetic and Fragrance Program at FIT. Green also discusses her personal life, from her days as a child to her career beginnings.

Green, Annette
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.6.9 · item · 1996 March 12
Part of Academic Affairs records

This interview discusses Annette Green's contributions to The Fragrance Foundation. It begins with a discussion on the history of the company, Green's initial introduction and eventual rehabilitation of the foundation, and it's current position in the industry. Green discusses her involvement with starting the Cosmetic and Fragrance Program at FIT.

Green, Annette
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.12 · item · 1994 December 1
Part of Academic Affairs records

Annette Piecora joined FIT in 1977 as a clerical assistant under Gladys Marcus and Jean-Ellen Gibson, the chair of the social science department. Piecora would work in both the personnel department and faculty services department before finding a long-term position in the president’s office. Piecora mentions meeting her husband, Professor Steve Harrington of the social services department, through FIT. Piecora worked with Marvin Feldman and Allan Herschfield, and discusses how she began working for the Board of Trustees as assistant secretary of the college. Piecora expresses excitement for recent funding which would allow distance learning and talks of planning an upcoming 50th anniversary holiday party. She then lists many changes at FIT in faculty and student make-up and also mentions how its rapid growth and budget cuts have led to a loss of community in some senses. However, she credits the important work of the union in restoring gain-sharing relationships and holding the college together. Picora describes her work with the Student Faculty Cooperation which determines funding for various arms of Student Life. Finally, she remembers the dedication of the Marvin Feldman Center and goes on to discuss budget cuts and her own work on the union’s executive committee.

Piecora, Annette
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.77 · item · 2011 June 21
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview Steffens discusses her role as a fashion editor and foreign correspondent for the German fashion publication, Vogue Germany. Steffens begins the interview by discussing her childhood in Germany and her early interest in fashion. For the majority of the interview, Steffens reflects on her role as a journalist and editor for a major fashion publication. Steffens outlines the varying highlights of her career, as well as the many challenges and obstacles she has faced on both a personal and professional level. Active in her field since 1996, Steffens's interview offers insight into the thoughts, opinions, and working experiences of an early 21st-century fashion editor.

Steffens, Antonia
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.8.2 · item · 1982 May 14
Part of Academic Affairs records

Arthur Jablow reflecting on his father-in-law, Maurice Rentner. There is a most interesting section in the Oral Memoirs of Maurice Rentner, (his father-in-law) which provides considerable insight into other facets of the ready-to-wear business.

Jablow, Arthur
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.8 · item · 1987 January 16
Part of Academic Affairs records

This interview covers broad subjects including women in the retail industry, family work balance, and the evolving role of the department store. The majority of the conversation concerns Bloomingdale's CEO at the time, Marvin S. Traub, with whom Barbara Bass worked closely. Bass talk about Traub's strong relationship with his wife, his high energy, his excellent listening skills, and his long-range style of thinking. Bass describes Traub as being pragmatic, and credits this as the reason why women and men are given equal opportunities in Bloomingdale's. Bass doesn't provide much information about her own job, only to describe her role as that of a "liason between the store line and the merchandising organizations." Though this was a time when there was speculation about the future downfall of department stores, Bass is positive in her statement that department stores will remain relavant as long as they continue to evolve with the customer. While Bass observes trends at this time to be less fast and severe than in the past, she does talk about Bloomingdale's as the birth place and death place of new trends. She then describes Bloomingdale's customer to be upscale, educated, "young-thinking", and traditionally dressed.

Bass, Barbara
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.2 · item · 1986 November 5
Part of Academic Affairs records

This interview discusses Barbara D'Arcy's experiences working at Bloomingdale's as the designer of the model rooms from 1958 to 1973. A large part of the conversation focuses on D'Arcy's professional relationship with Marvin Traub, Chief Excecutive of Bloomingdale's and his role in the development of the aesthetic identity of Bloomingdale's. D'Arcy also discusses her transition from model room designer to her role as head of store design.

D'Arcy, Barbara
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.2 · item · 1994 December 15
Part of Academic Affairs records

This is an interview with Doctors Joe Costelli and Barry Ginsberg of FIT. Costelli was the chair of the math and science department at the time of the interview and Ginsberg a retired professor emeritus. Ginsberg begins by describing his start at the institute in 1956 under former Department Chair Bill Leider. At the time there were approximately 20 faculty members and 200 students. He describes the tight-knit quality of FIT and weekend trips to the Hotel Grossinger. In tandem with his work as a math teacher, Ginsberg worked as the director of admissions alongside Marion Brandriss. He explains various internal leadership posts such as his time as the department chair and his time with the faculty committee. He goes on to detail the creation of rudimentary, and ultimately mandatory, arithmetic classes for pupils based on the prompting of Jeannette Jarnow. He then explains the selection process by committee of President Jarvie and his return to teaching, his “first love.” Costelli takes over the interview and describes his educational background in biology and subsequent start at FIT in 1975. Costelli explains the heavy involvement of the math and science department in the running of the school. He goes on to describe the middle states review and the writing of his textbook, Introductory Biology and Molecular Approach. He details the lineages of FIT’s liberal arts deans as well as the chairs of his department, and how the institute used industry input to evolve its coursework. Costelli remembers FIT being run as a tight ship with a hard-line dress code and also recalls the institute’s struggle to procure air conditioning from New York state. Finally, Costelli describes how the demographics of the school have changed and how they move ever deeper into computer-centered learning.

Ginsburg, Barry S.
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4.33 · item · 1994 October 12
Part of Academic Affairs records

Psychology professor Barry Karp began at FIT in 1968 and was tenured in 1971. Shortly thereafter he became active in the FIT union. Around 1986 he became administrator of the Welfare Fund. Karp discusses changes in the department’s coursework and the introduction of classes such as the Psychology of Color. He talks about changes in the student body over his time at FIT and states that FIT has more non-traditional students than at its inception; many students are coming back to school instead of coming straight from high school and the college has gained international appeal. Karp remembers the familial atmosphere of FIT in the 1970s and shares a yearbook from 1969. He mentions FIT’s growing global perspective, and talks about the appeal of their art-oriented Saturday classes for high school students. Finally, Karp discusses his daughter’s time at FIT and how it has led to a successful career in packaging design.

Karp, Barry
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.34 · item · 2010 July 22
Part of Academic Affairs records

Patty Sinclair, director of archives at the Ford Model Agency, and Professor Karen Trivette of the Fashion Institute of Technology, join together to interview model Beverly Johnson. Beverly shares her life growing up and how she was introduced to modeling. She discusses the feeling of seeing her face on a cover, and provides insight into the modeling life she experienced.

Johnson, Beverly
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.1.77 · item · circa 1980s
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Robert L. Green interviews costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie about his life and career. They discuss his methods and his experiences with specific projects and the costume industry. They discuss their experiences with Edith Head, as well as Mackie's work with a wide variety of celebrities.

Mackie, Bob
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.11 · item · 2010
Part of Academic Affairs records

The booker profile interviews in the Ford oral history series were recorded in New York. Each subject was interviewed separately:

Nicola Isaacs discusses her role as an agent for plus size models, the qualities and physical attributes that she looks for in potential models, the status and impact of plus size models on the overall industry and what working as a plus size model is like. This interview lacks a formal introduction and it appears that the camera starts rolling after the interview had already begun.

In her interview, Latoya Scott clearly articulates the roles and responsibilities of being a fit model, a model that is used for sizing and fitting garments before they are put into production. Scott discusses the qualities and requirements necessary for working as a fit model, and in the second half of the interview, she uses live models to demonstrate how to take proper measurements for potential models.

Davita Williams discusses the lifestyle division of Ford Models , how the division differs from others within the agency, the kinds of clients and types of bookings covered by the division, and the standards and requirements for modeling within the division. Williams explains that the lifestyle division deals mostly with commercial print advertising for beauty, hair, and most major commercial consumer products and brands. The division works with both male and female models of all ages and many models have long careers working within lifestyle.

he interview begins with Jessica Rosenberg explaining the foundation and function of the FM-2 division, a subsection of the main men’s division at Ford Models. Rosenberg explains that because the men’s division focuses on high fashion and major campaigns, FM-2 was founded to focus specifically on commercial catalogues and mainstream advertising. Rosenberg goes on to discuss the skills and physical qualities she seeks for models within the division, outlining ideal measurements and proportions for FM-2 models.

Christie Belfiore discusses how the children’s and teen division differs from other divisions within the agency, the age ranges covered within the division, the types of jobs booked by models in the division, what she looks for in potential models, and dealing with the parents of her models. Belfiore addresses topics such as salaries earned by child and teen models, the types of cilents that the division works with, and how her division works with and interacts with the rest of the agency as a whole.

Isaacs, Nicola