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US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.14 · item · 1987 January 16
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Stravitz focuses mostly on the challenges and successes he has faced in trying to expand the Bloomingdale's model into other markets. In doing this, he covers the importance of paying attention to each market's regional needs as well as ways in which marketing can be tailored to suit a particular market, culturally. At the same time, Stravitz explores what the New York store represents and how that can be carried through in other markets. A larger discussion of the crossover between department stores and specialty stores looks at what makes Bloomingdale's especially strong in both categories. As an example, Stravitz talks about the two "Bloomie's Express" specialty shops which Bloomingdale's had launched at JFK airport a few months before this interview. Stravitz describes the Bloomingdale's customer, across all markets, to be sophisticated, well-traveled, fashionable, and possibly affluent. In discussing his direct boss, Bloomingdale's CEO Marvin S. Traub, Stravitz describes him as deeply caring about the people he works with. He argues that Traub's personal concern for the business as well as the people connected to it result in high expectations as well as a supportive work environment. Traub's encouragement to try new things and his willingness to take the risk and support these ventures, Stravitz suggests, are what make Bloomingdale's an especially creative and entrepreneurial place.

Stravitz, Russell
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.4 · sub-sub-sub-series · 1994-1996 bulk 1994-1995
Part of Academic Affairs records

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.

US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.1 · item · 2011 June 20
Part of Academic Affairs records

Conducted in 2011, the interview covers Adams's entry in modeling, her early career working as a professional model while still in high school, modeling throughout Europe and Scandinavia, meeting Eileen and Jerry Ford and becoming a Ford model, her experiences working as a model in the late 1960s and 1970s, and her transition into acting. Throughout the interview, Adams reflects on her experiences working closely with Eileen Ford , and expresses gratitude for the lessons Ford instilled in Adams. Adams mentions working with Ford senior Vice President, Sue Charney, and booking agent, Rusty Donovan Zeddis, as well as shooting with photographers, Helmut Newton, and Neal Barr. Halfway through the interview, Adams is joined by her friend, Carl Richards, who joins in Adams's interview before being interviewed separately by Sicular. Carl Richards spontaneously joins this interview part way in.

Adams, Maud
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.13 · item · 2010 April 8
Part of Academic Affairs records

Karen Trivette interviews model Karen Bjornson for the Ford Model oral histories series. The interview explores Bjornson’s start in modeling, her interaction with Wilhelmina right out of high school, and even shares her personal romantic life. Bjornson discusses her most memorable modeling experiences and what it was like to work with designers such as Halston and Ralph Rucci.

Bjornson, Karen
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.5 · item · 2010 July 27
Part of Academic Affairs records

Glenda 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, Glenda
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.12 · item · 2011 June 21
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Berr discusses her early ambitions of becoming a model, becoming a model at age 15, and working as a professional model in New York and Paris. Berr's career ranges from roughly 1963 through 1975, and in this interview, Berr speaks to the working conditions she faced in a time when models were expected to do most of the work to prepare themselves for a photoshoot. Berr reflects on her high and low moments as a model and talks about the self-motivated determination she believes a model should have to make it in the industry.

Berr, Susan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.9 · item · 2011 June 21
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Bauer discusses his career as a male model, working first in Europe and then the United States from roughly 1968 through the early 1990s. Bauer discusses his professional and personal relationships with modeling industry insiders Jerry Ford, Joey Hunter, Nina Blanchard, and actress Barbara Stanwyck.

Bauer, Bruce
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
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.17 · item · 2010 May 18
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview Brainard reflects on her career as a model working first in the United States, and then Europe during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Brainard begins the interview by discussing how she was discovered during her junior year of university, and how this led to occasional commercial work modeling sportswear. Brainard discusses how after college, she first worked as a photographer’s assistant for the photographer John Cochran before beginning her career as a professional model with the Ford Model agency. Brainard reflects on the year and a half she spent modeling in New York, commenting on working conditions for models at that time, and mentioning some of her favorite campaigns for Rheingold beer and the clothing company, Peck and Peck. Brainard then goes on to discuss moving to Europe, and the rest of the interview mostly focuses on her experiences modeling in Europe. Throughout the interview, Brainard provides commentary on the differences between working as a model in New York versus working as a model in Europe during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Present throughout the interview, but not shown on screen, is Brainard’s longtime friend and fellow Ford model, Linda Morand.

Brainard, Susan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.25 · item · 2011 June 24
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Davies reflects on her career working as a professional model from 1946 to 1967. Topics covered include Davies’s life and background prior to modeling, her experiences working as model in New York in the late 1940s prior to the establishment of a standardized and regulated modeling industry, working with photographer Howell Conant, signing with Ford Models, and working with founder Eileen Ford. Davies interview gives testimony to what it was like to be working during this period. Prior to standardization within the modeling industry models were expected to set their own wages and collect their own fees. Additionally, models would only be paid after agencies had been paid by their clients; a process which could often take months to years before a model could collect their earnings.

Davies-Knopf, Lorraine
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.23 · item · 2010 July 17
Part of Academic Affairs records

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, Gary
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.3.20.4.9.5.48 · item · 2011 June 21
Part of Academic Affairs records

Gonet reflects on his career as an agent working for top modeling agencies in New York during the late 1970s and 1980s. In the second half of the interview, Gonet shares his experiences as the owner and president of his former male modeling agency, Nytro Models. Gonet begins the interview by covering his arrival in New York in 1978 subsequently discussing breaking into the industry with his first job as an agent for Wilhelmina Models. Gonet reflects on his experiences working under the supervision of agency founder, Wilhelmina Cooper, recounting learning experiences which helped him to become a better agent. Gonet moves on to discuss moving to Elite Model Management, working with agency founder John Casablancas, and managing the agency's male model division. Gonet moves on to discuss opening his own male modeling agency, and for the remainder of the interview, Gonet reflects on changes and developments he has experienced working within the industry for over 20 years.

Gonet, Jan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.41 · item · 2010 September 14
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Meehan reflects on her career as a booking agent for Ford Models between 1977 and 1983. Topics covered include Meehan’s life and background prior to working for the agency, her role and responsibilities as a booker, her friendships with many prominent models and fashion photographers, and her relationship with Eileen and Jerry Ford.

Meehan, Jane
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.60 · item · 2010 March 31
Part of Academic Affairs records

Linda Morand interviews model Chris Royer, where Royer shares her career growth, past experiences, favorite campaigns, work with Halston, model relationships, and general modeling memories. Royer even gives out some of her beauty secrets and provides advice for young aspiring models.

Royer, Chris