Phyllis Dillon speaks with Fern Mallis about her career in the fashion industry. Mallis discusses her time as a young woman working in the coveted Guest Editorship position at Madamoiselle magazine, and her time living at the Barbazon Hotel for Women. She goes on to discuss her time working for the magazine as an employee in her years after college, and the other jobs she took after leaving Madamoiselle. She then describes how she learned about the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), what led up to her being hired by them, and her development of New York Fashion Week. She discusses how vastly the industry has changed due to the rise of the prevalence and influence of technology, and issues with sustainability and how detrimental the fashion industry is to the environment. She finally speaks about her time on the FIT Board.
Dillon, PhyllisThis folder is comprised of finished and colored design sketches from 2007.
This folder is comprised of finished and colored design sketches from 2009 to 2010.
This folder is comprised of finished and colored design sketches from 2011 to 2012.
This folder is comprised of finished and colored design sketches from 2013 to 2018.
This folder is comprised of finished and colored design sketches, undated.
This series is comprised of FIT related documents from when George Simonton was a professor. The series also includes student evaluations and miscellaneos documents.
Oral history interviews conducted by Carol Poll, a sociologist and sociology professor at FIT, of various FIT professors and administrators between the years of 1994-1996 on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the college.
This folder is comprised of miscellaneous documents relating to George Simonton's teachings at FIT. The folder also includes Museum at FIT costume collection information, grading rosters and worksheets, FIT press, curriculm, coursework and class resources.
This folder is comprised of miscellaneous documents relating to George Simonton's teachings at FIT. The folder also includes a curriculum and syllabus, course resources, Human Resources documents, senior design collection information and FIT correspondence.
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.
Vertical Files unitThis collection is comprised of oral history interviews with prominent twentieth- and twenty-first-century fashion industry businesspeople, designers, and artists, as well as members of the FIT faculty and staff.
Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, N.Y.). Gladys Marcus LibraryThis folder is comprised of student evaluation report envelopes from 1987 to 1991.
This folder is comprised of student evaluation report envelopes from 1992 to 2001.
This folder is comprised of student evaluation report envelopes from 2002 to 2005.
This folder is comprised of student evaluation report envelopes from 2005 to 2007.
FIT Talks is an oral history program of the Fashion Institute of Technology/State University of New York. It documents personal accounts and experiences of people relevant to the College and to the industries that support - and are supported by - the College’s curricula. The program incorporates the most suitable technologies for the capture and provision of content and, with the guidance of an advisory board, the strategic addition of new subjects to the collection. The collection is administered by the Special Collections and College Archives, a unit of the Gladys Marcus Library.
Signed release forms for oral histories conducted
Oral history interviews between 2010 and 2011 with models, bookers, and other Ford Modeling Agency personnel, which document the modeling industry as it affects the fashion and beauty industry.
Interviews conducted by Estelle Ellis in 1993 on the occasion of the 1993 awards dinner in honor of Annette Green and the Fragrance Foundation, benefitting the educational foundation for the fashion industries. Interviews were conducted with key individuals involved in the fragrance industry including Annette Green (President, Fragrance Foundation), James Preston (Chairman, Avon Products), Lawrence Aiken (President and CEO, Sanofi Beaute), Dr. Fernando Aleu (President, Compar), Eugene Grisanti (Chairman, President and CEO, International Flavors & Fragrances), Jeanette Wagner (President, Estee Lauder), Burton Tansky, (Chairman, Bergdorf Goodman), Rosemarie Bravo (President, Saks Fifth Avenue).
Fred Pomerantz, long-time CEO and founder of Leslie Faye, discusses his start in the ready-to-wear business at age 10. Although he was briefly fired for insubordination, by age 18 he was running all of M.B. Kaufman. He then went into business with his brother, Michael. Pomerantz Brothers sold fur coats, and Fred talks colorfully of his sales methods. After enlisting as a teen during World War I, Fred attended a training camp. He talks about being the only Jewish person there and how, after being bullied to the point of being hospitalized, he came back and gained the respect of the rest of the camp. After a falling out with his brother ended their joint business endeavor, Fred founded Fred Pomerantz, Inc. and started in the dress business. That would lead him to found Silver Pom, for which he procured a factory in Mechanicsville, New York. Fred eventually moved to California to get into the retail business. He mentions proximity to Hollywood and tells the story of inviting 100 people to see him act in a Cary Grant film, only to find that his scene had been cut. Fred got into the retail business out west to little success and eventually returned to New York where he took a job with a piece goods house. Fred talks about the launch of Pommette and the realization of his dream to open Leslie Fay: a firm encompassing fashion, fashion shows, and annual advertisements in major women’s magazines. He tells a colorful anecdote about Dorothy Dean of AMC, and mentions his column in Women’s Wear entitled, “If I Was the King of Garment Town.” Fred goes on to say that Leslie Fay was the first company to produce petite dresses, and details his hard policies on sales. Leslie Fay went public in 1962 and Fred began building management up and increasing staff, while ensuring the maintenance of exceptional quality control. Fred also discusses two presidents of his company: Zachary Buchalter and John Pomerantz, his son.
Pomerantz, FredFolder contains promotional and informational materials published by the National Board of Fur Farm Organizations, Inc. and the Fur Farm Animal Welfare Coalition, as well as an occupational brief published by Science Research Associates, Inc.
Three informational booklets concerning the Fur Products Labeling Act, published by the United States Federal Trade Commission.
Four articles and one booklet concerning the imitation fur industry and trade, including articles and swatches from American Fabric.
Five photocopied and pasted articles concerning The Fur Vault, Inc.
Two photocopied and pasted articles concerning the fur trade, as well as promotional and informational materials published by the American Legend Cooperative of mink fur farmers.
Photocopied, pasted, and laminated articles concerning the fur industry and fur trade, including articles from Fur Age Weekly. Folder also contains numerous promotional and informational materials published by organizations such as the American Fur Industry, EMBA Mink Breeders Association, and the Fur Information and Fashion Council.
Photocopied, pasted, and laminated articles concerning the fur industry and fur trade, including articles from Fur Age Weekly.
Dakin begins the interview by briefly recounting his experiences as a teen model. Dakin explains that it was his early exposure to the modeling industry which made him realize he wanted to be an agent. Dakin mentions that he has now been in the industry for twenty years, and with Ford Models for the last twelve. After briefly commenting on his connection to the Ford family, Dakin goes on to describe his views on the roles and responsibilities of an agent, as well as some of his personal highlights from working in the industry. A central theme of Dakin’s interview is the subject of plus sized models working in the industry, and a need from within the industry to cease labeling models as plus sized. Dakin argues for greater inclusion of plus sized models in mainstream fashion, and cites many examples of working models that have had success despite being labeled plus size. Dakin frequently mentions the model Crystal Renn, his client at the time, as one such model who has enjoyed success as a plus size model.
Dakin, GaryFashion historian Phyllis Dillon interviews Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corporation, a financing and factoring company established in 1958. Wassner explores Hilldun’s history, his experience in production, the issues in financing a fashion company, and his own career growth.
Wassner, GaryThis collection is comprised of original sketches and photographs, business and promotional materials, and materials related to the fashion career of George Simonton as well as his work at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Simonton, GeorgeAssociate Professor of Fashion Packaging and Advertising Design George Wybenga started at FIT in 1979. Each year the department accepts 25 students and Wybenga says they have a placement rate of 100%. He discusses the department’s coursework, including bridge courses, and details different types of packaging design. He talks about how the German green laws inspired FIT to focus on environmentally-minded design; each year the New York Department of Sanitation puts on a competition and FIT wins all the major environmental awards in packaging. He discusses other competitions such as one put on by the Tube Council of North America, and then he discusses a scholarship from Avon as well as various industry grants the department receives. Wybenga mentions that the International Toy Fair asked students to design posters and discusses freelance work. He then talks about how valuable the adjunct faculty is and the difficulty in recruiting teachers when they do not want to leave the business. Many alumni do end up hiring students from FIT. Wybenga says the department receives materials from industry players such as the National Paperbox Association, and then he launches into a discussion of student demographics. He thinks the international students have been a huge boon to the program, especially as packaging grows as a global industry; in the United States it is already the second largest industry after Agriculture. Finally he talks about how most students are the first of their families to join the industry and the continued growth of the program.
Wybenga, George L.Gibbs Murray, Chair of the Display and Exhibit Department at the time of this interview, talks about the origins of the program as a double degree in fashion display and photography in the 1960s. He discusses how the Display and Exhibit Department’s singular, comprehensive nature has led to exponential levels of enrollment in recent years, and mentions student exhibitions in conjunction with companies such as Chanel, Patrick Kelly, and Romeo Gigli. Murray details a close relationship with the National Association of Display Industries, and talks about how the advisory council gives valuable feedback to students. He discusses the student body and notable alumni from the program, emphasizing that FIT is uniquely situated for the study of visual merchandising. Murray then mentions industry seminars put on by the department and underscores the value of FIT’s 2-year vocational training. Murray ends the interview with his hopes for an art and design shop at the school.
Murray, GibbsGlenda Bailey, former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar, is interviewed by Karen Trivette in correspondence with the oral history series on the history of the fashion and beauty industries. Bailey shares how her education decisions prepared her for her career, and how it blossomed into a job she loves. She explains the skills it takes to become an Editor-in-Chief, her visions for Harper's Bazaar long-term future, her passion for fashion, and more.
Bailey, GlendaThis interview takes place at a time when Bloomingdale's President Marvin S. Traub was being awarded the "Person Who Makes the Difference" award from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Gordon Cooke discusses the various ways in which Traub's style of leadership and business has made a difference in Bloomingdale's success not just as a department store but as an innovator in the world of promotions and business relations. Cooke uses Bloomingdale's country promotions as examples of Traub's creativity and insight regarding promotions. Cooke discusses the team-syle development of ideas, describing the equal value placed on promotions, design, sales, etc. as being instrumental in the creative development of Bloomingdale's. Cooke credits Bloomingale's with opening up trade with various countries before even the U.S. government had fully developed trade with these countries. Finally, Cooke talks about Traub's collaboration with both established and cutting-edge artists in advertisements and promotions.
Cooke, GordonGrace Mirabella talks about her career when she just started out, her time at Vogue magazine, and life after Vogue.
Mirabella, GraceGraduate catalogs provide information about graduate academic programs, including curricula and course descriptions. Graduate catalogs also provide information about admissions and tuition as well as the general history of the college and its campus. Some of the catalogs also include academic calendars, information about student life, information about internships or career options, lists of graduate faculty, and application materials.