Fashion Institute of Technology

This Spring I took Photoshop I evening class from Certificate programs with Brad Farwell as a professor.
It was a memorable experience. The course was very good presented and organized by the professor. I enjoyed very friendly and open atmosphere in the class every time. The price was also very reasonable for 15 classes-​around $ 380! After the course you will have a complete manual of what was taught during the class. (Could be printed from the class website) and a base to transfer to Photoshop II. Professor is a professional contemporary photographer with lots of experience. The only minus-​class is based on Bridge CC, not Lightroom.
This summer I took the WordPress course from the Non Certificate Programs –4 classes for $ 300 and it was a big disappointment — complete waste of time and money. I would give a one star for it.
Do not take this class!!! The teacher is probably a good professional, but can not teach. It is a very brief presentation of a huge field of study. Amount of classes absolutely insufficient, no chance to create or get any record of what was tought. The presentation is scattered and chaotic, no website will be created after the course. Plenty of references to the Internet, but it can be obtained for free. The teacher is talking mostly to himself without any idea what students can understand and do they follow him or not. It is his conscious decision-​he does not care and not willing to control himself.

I loved working and living right here in Chelsea! It was a nice campus that took over 27^th Street and there were trees and the ¹⁄₉ train right outside your door. (I realize there is no longer a 9 train and I am dating myself, but it was there when I was there!)
This was a fantastic campus with incredibly talented faculty and staff. Artists and geniuses alike.
There were many restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions within walking distance.
The best part? After some research, I discovered that my Great Grandma Valentino lived ONE block away on 26^th Street when she immigrated to NYC from Italy. One block away from me! She worked in the garment district, so it made complete sense that she made Chelsea her home.
I always felt a special connection to this campus, and this personal touch made it extra special. I appreciate the years I spent here developing my career.

Was able to catch the fairy tale themed show. Wish there was more to do here but it was still nice and interesting.

Do not take their AMC program. The teachers are racist and entitled jerks. The education from the AAS to BS is the same exact thing. You learn nothing of value. I had to switch my major when I came in contact with some of the teachers. I ended up learning more than their crappy AMC program.

I’ll go straight to the point. If you’re not majoring in art or fashion and majoring in business or marketing here, you will not make it in the long term. It all comes down to having the word «Fashion» in your resume when you graduate. It’ll close a lot of doors when job hunting and make things a whole lot harder when the recruiters see that in a non fashion company. Surprisingly, even the career center suggested putting SUNY as your school instead of the job blocking Fashion Institute of Tech.
However if you are majoring in the arts, make sure you actually have talent and not let a bunch of yes men be your judge. I’ve seen countless displays in the photography exhibit that shows snapshots. There’s a huge difference between photography and snapshots. You’ll only end up with a piece of paper, debt and no experience except a portfolio full of snapshots. I know a few that fiddled with the software and ended up working at a shoe store for a few years. Yes men also includes admissions.
For those looking into Continuing Education here. Don’t. Just don’t. I put down @$$ loads of money for an Adobe After Effects class here and while in the beginning it was informative and valuable. The latter half the fat ass teacher endlessly talked about how much more money he makes in corporate than freelance and how his wife cooks dinner with lines of Dr. Who in between. The computer was on Screensaver for 2 hours each class from doing nothing.
What I would like to see improve in this school? Students selling their old textbooks to other students. No one does that here. Entrepreneurship is below them.

I took a couple of continuing education classes there in the hopes that one day I would try to get a certificate. I’m glad I didn’t make the commitment to get a certificate because I had the most miserable time with the classes I did take there. The students (some of them were actually full time students who were taking extra classes) were very rude and overly-​competitive. It was very cliquey and I found people, including the teachers, to be very haughty and negative. The school is full of people with bad attitudes.

We took my younger daughter for portfolio day to present her artwork and to hopefully get a better idea of what major she would like to take. I was very impressed, the staff was organized and informative. When we first arrived they sat us in groups according the student’s course of study. After that they started calling students by groups to be evaluated and giving them guidance on how to proceed to their next step in the admission process.
While counselors were speaking to the students, we the parents were given breakfast and there were advisors to answer any of our questions. They too were also very informative. It was a continental breakfast with bagels, muffins, fruit, cereal, yogurt, coffee and tea. All was well prepared and then extended to the students.
They assisted my daughter with exactly what she needed to prepare for her next visit. One of the advisors actually spent quite a bit of time with us discussing all our options. I will be looking forward to our next visit. I always hear good things about FIT, there have been many successful people who have graduated from there.

I was pretty SHOCKED at how some people actually act at this school. I mean blown away and pissed off!!! I thought petty BS ended after high school but this school is just like high school for fashion. Some of the teachers here are snobs and prima donnas and play favoritism like with the rich queens and divas who have their dream jobs. The student self obsession, the entitlement, the extreme pampering of students who will «only get out of bed in the morning if I have my designer pants and shoes, my non fat soy vanilla latte, and my super posh liquor!» can get really annoying. Nobody at this school has ever used a PC computer because it is not fancy enough for their taste. Drinking starbucks coffee and frappuchinos at least 4 times a week is a big status thing here too. People can be mean and ruthless and they can be hard to avoid too as they will try to make you feel bad in any way if you don’t fit in. Everyone here was a hardcore fashionista since the age of five. I must have been the only person who became obsessed with fashion too late in life (high school?) and some teachers will notice it too sadly. This school is intimidating upon the first day as each person has to talk about themselves and their endless accomplishments for 10 minutes on the first day in some classes. I was not prepared for that. The gay guys here are nicer and more open minded. People here can be really brain dead just by their vocabulary and I wonder how on earth they got in. I am not surprised though, some majors are easier to get into if you have a good essay, you just need to know about fashion. This does not represent the whole student body but a bit of them. One time a bitch wanted me to to take notes for her in class since she skipped but I was smart enough not to.
FIT is an amazing school for fashion design and fashion merchandising and it has all of the connections and the location which are not at any other school for fashion besides parsons, fidm and pratt. I regret leaving. There were always some students in my classes and teachers who would do anything to trash talk me or my work even upon the first day. People here love to brag and it is very competitive.

I had been wanting to learn how to sew for a long time and a friend finally convinced me to take the level 1 «Sew Like a Pro» course at FIT. The class took place every Sunday and was four and a half hours long. The class was lots of fun and I learned a lot about using a sewing machine.
The class was $ 245 and there was a $ 10 materials fee. Every week, we would enter class and grab scissors, rulers, bobbins, etc. The only thing we eventually needed to get on our own was fabric, matching thread and elastic for our pajama pants.
The first week was all about learning the machine. I don’t think we started on our pants until week 3 and that class consisted of learning how to understand a pattern and cutting the fabric.
Pros.
*The teacher was very knowledgeable and it was always able to answer questions
*The pattern we used was simple and we all worked on the same thing, pj pants.
Cons
*Many students for one teacher meant you were often waiting until she was available to help you specifically.
*Two ironing boards for approximately 10 – 15 students.
*Two sergers for approximately 10 – 15 students.
I would say that approximately 25% of the students stopped attending class before it ended so there was less «fighting» for time on the machines.
Out of all the students, only one managed to finish his pants before the end of the last class but many people came very close. I only needed to finish the hem at the bottom so I finished it at home. I wear them all the time.

recently left this poorly run school. My application to return as a Bachelors student was never reviewed, despite calling several times about it and having sent it in months before the due date. But of course they took my money.
The student body here is generally cliquey and boring. I never met a single person who seemed genuine or even intelligent. Being forced to read other students’ writing made me realize that the standards for acceptance here are very low. Most of the girls in my classes were from Long Island, brought giant frappucinos, wore Lululemon every day, and had a «passion for fashion.»
Another issue I have is that the FMM professors are mostly old, white men who don’t actually know whats going on in the industry presently.
Oh, and my dorm’s workroom had pee leaking from the ceiling more than once.

Hmmm, I look at all the negative reviews and think this is all for the young people who thought that being a fashion designer entailed just drawing. I was in class with those kids. They never graduated.
Like most art schools, FIT is what you make of it. The classes are challenging but the curriculum might be a too antiquated for many people’s tastes. I think once the faculty start turning over to a «younger» faculty, new elements will be implemented into the system. For the most part, if you’re a full time student, you can take a crazy amount of classes you won’t find anywhere else like Yoga, Screen printing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Jewelry Design, etc. If you do find it at another school, you won’t be paying the low price of what a SUNY has to offer.
FIT does have its drawbacks. I went as a student over a decade ago (and am back as a part time educator and sometime student) and realized that some things were lacking:
— as said before, the antiquated thinking of most of the faculty. I remember making a dress with a crop top. My professor said the model’s belly button couldn’t be shown. This was for the fashion show… where intimate apparel would also be shown.
— when I was a Jewelry Design major our professor insisted on only drawing, when computer technology was really the way to go. We had to crowd around him during every class and watch him draw. He refused to even use an overhead projector. He was also a jerk though.
— when it comes to complaining about faculty to the higher ups, nothing seems to be done about it.
— the diplomas all look the same. If you graduate with several degrees like I did it’s the same diploma. It’s like you photocopy one to get another. There was a petition for this, but nothing really happened. It’s sad because it’s an art and design school with crappy diplomas.
— some of the students, at least when I was there were a tad racist. It was more ignorant than anything, but you learn who you can and who you can’t tolerate very quickly.
All in all, FIT is a place I go back to time and time again for the affordable class, professors with real life experience and amazing class selection.
Also, for the fashion design potentials that don’t get accepted the first time you apply, like I did, just try again or try to apply during the Spring. It’s competitive, but honestly the fashion industry sucks so try to go another route, like accessories or jewelry.

I’m only reviewing the certificate programs of FIT for professional or continuing students (I already have my master’s from another school).
They offer many professional certificates that do not pertain to replacing a full education like AAs, Bachelors etc. but rather complementing it by focusing on specific skills development such as computer technologies in design, athletic shoe wear, costume design Etc.
So far I’ve had 3 teachers and 2 were really amazing with the 3^rd being nice but with a teaching style that I do not prefer. They really focus on teaching you a skill and make you feel comfortable and confident with it.
If it wasn’t for price ($ 300 per class for a non degree program), this would earn 5 stars.

Great place to learn about the pet industry! I teach The Who’s Who in The Pet Industry Class!
Here is the Course Description: Who’s Who in the Pet Industry MOVERS & Shakers
Why not take that fashion biz know-​how in a new growth direction. Break into the pet industry where the business and talent parallels to fashion are remarkable. Find out about the pet players and who is who in this exciting world, and discover the niche that’s perfect for you. Let special guest pet-​expert marketers show you the way in terms of industry structure as well as teach you which blogs, books and magazines and trade shows are best suited to expand your know-​how for a successful career opportunity. Hear about product distributors, major retailers, pet shops, boutiques, catalogue businesses and how to market a pet e-​commerce site. Trunk shows and partnership opportunities with trainers, shelters, groomers and sitters are explored.

Please avoid at all costs. This school has NO idea what they’re doing as far as financial aid, financial assistance, or anything to help students whatsoever. They’re all brain dead and keep referring you to other brain dead idiots who have no idea what the hell they’re talking about. So unless you want to attend a school where the crap all over your financial aid and screw you over thousands of dollars, AVOID THIS SCHOOL.

This college lied to me and made me feel like total sh*t about myself. I paid almost $ 100 to submit an application to this SUNY and they asked for a portfolio. I happily gave them my art, but the problem was, I couldn’t bring the originals on such short notice. They told me it was fine to bring in a clear printed image of the drawings.
When I went to the portfolio analysis thing, it took forever to start. Then, when I handed the man the work I’ve done, he said that my artwork shouldn’t have had a signature on the bottom left corner which I was immediately offended.
Then, he then shook my hand and said that he liked my portfolio and that I should be accepted and said «You’ll do very well in this school». I was so excited to attend this place because I was very very passionate about art.
Weeks later, I received a letter in hoping on being accepted, and guess what? It was a rejection letter and how they apologize to me. Okay, FIT. I paid you guys a lot of money to submit my application and wasted my time to show you my portfolio to get told that I suck at art. The guy led me on and made me believe I was going to be accepted, but this rejection letter damaged me severely (seriously) and broke my heart. After that, I never did art again.
Bring everything you can and please them. Dress like you’re into fashion and make it seem like you mean it. I have a feeling the staff in this place are judgmental and picky.

DO it! F.I.T. will knock your scoks off! I love this place. Oh man, it’s just amazing. No words to describe.

F.I.T has THE BEST SCHOOL OF FASHION next to Parsons. This is not for lazy people that is for sure.

Yay!
Now that I am no longer a clone… er…student of FIT, I can finally give my honest opinion.
Thank you, FIT for accepting me, a humble servant of the NYC Educational System, but your institution, sucks.
As well as the incompetent teachers… oh I’m sorry, «professors» who you’ve hired.
My English professor was a wench and a joke. Every morning on Fridays, before she arrived, the students would bad mouth her. She talked with this awful, fake English-​New England-​Valley Girl accent and she had such a bad attitude.
Everyone pretty much has their own cliques. I made no friends here and am grateful for that. I regret going here. When I was put on academic probation, I was told that I’d be able to go to a seminar and «resurrect», in a sense my status. I went to sign up. It was the summer. The woman said I couldn’t sign up until I registered for classes, but it was too early to register. :blank stare:
I went to the office to see how I could sign up. NO ONE could help. Everyone gave me the run around. What did I do? I withdrew.
Screw it. I’m applying to a CUNY community college in the hopes of going to school for Social Work. At least I’d be doing something that benefits the world and not spending time with vapid, generic, «I just got to NYC so let me be cool» wannabes.
I am a born and raised New Yorker. Save the pseudo-​posh for someone else FIT students.

This was the last day of the Daphne Guinness exhibit at FIT. First of all let me just start by saying, Daphne Guinness was GAGA before there even was a GAGA. DON’T SHOOT! Daphne Guinness was GAGA before there even was a GAGA.
(Giving you little monsters time to calm down)
Heiress to the Guinness Beer Company she is known around the world as a socialite, fashion stylist, designer and muse, the late Alexander McQueen’s bf, and interestingly enough a mother of 3 children. This self entitled exhibit features her personal collection of clothes, and movie Lady White Snake.
They showcased several of her pieces designed by Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Nina Ricci and others. The lighting was perfect, very cerebral vibe with grayish– blues and her quotes written in sliver on the walls. You walk in to see collections of her shoes encased in shelves as her movie played along with various other editorial pictures she has modeled in. Another room sectioned off into 4 parts showed her various styles over the years, the selections went from Priest, to Geisha, to Harlequin, and my favorite was this sort of mermaid body suit encrusted with navy blue crystals that were shaped into scales with a flowy pearl iridescent sheer cape designed by McQueen.
The exhibit was like a sacred tomb, a mental break into someone else’s fairy tale, but yet it felt like my fairy tale too, because it’s filled with these familiar archetypes we’ve all been apart of. Daphne Guiness’s movement is beyond being seen in the latest fashion. She’s a living fantasy. I literally stepped over children who were in the aisles sketching on the floor. People were just standing in awe shaking their heads in wonderment of these garments.
There was enough material to peruse the area for about an hour at least and upstairs there was another exhibit from FIT’s permanent collection including Gucci, Christian Dior, and Miuccia Prada. And best of all it was FREE for any and all to experience and to be a part of ! FIT is a great day trip destination if you are looking for something to do before a Broadway play, a concert, or if you just want a healthy dose of inspiration. Seeing in many cases is believing… the whole experience did something really powerful in my subconscious. Thank you FIT as I am eternally grateful to be a part of the Daphne’s Guinness Fantasy.

This review is for the middle school classes only.
Great opportunity. My daughter really loved going here and being treated as a college student. They had high expectations and required the kids to actually produce results. Challenging and interesting. Couldn’t ask for more.
Thanks for offering this opportunity, FIT!

I have a lot of respect for the place that FIT holds. I was completely prepared to love this place, and to take lots of classes. However, my own experience was really bad, and I ended up dropping the only one I attempted.
I tried to take an ongoing education course. It was extremely difficult to even understand if I had made it into the course… the only way I knew they had even received my application (after I called and emailed several times) was that my *credit card was charged*.
Once that happened, I called to get information about the online class… like, When does it start? Where do I go online? What is my login? It took literal hours of my life and multiple phone calls to get this information.
No one seemed to know what was going on, and it the phone rang and rang in most offices without anyone picking it up. It felt like a joke. :-/​
Once I finally got the login, I «started» the online course. The software that they used was completely antiquated. It was a fashion styling course in which images were very important, but the scroll window was maybe 2″ high. I work in web-​based technology, and I love fashion, and I know how awesome this could have been. It wasn’t.
I dropped the course. Repeat the time spent listening to FIT’s phone ringing. The people that picked up had no idea what each other was saying or doing. And…
The only way I knew the course was dropped was that a refund finally appeared on my credit card. Yes, my primary source of communication with FIT was my credit card bill. Not phone calls, or emails, or letters.
I have a friend who swears that her professors at FIT were amazing. (She does jewelry design.) I didn’t get a chance to experience that — I was never able to wade through the administrative mess and couldn’t cope with the outdated technology.
The whole experience was a disappointment. From the looks of these reviews, I am not alone, which is a total bummer because I love that FIT exists, I adore the museum, and I want for them to be awesome.

THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
I love that this school taught me how to draw (YAY PROFESSOR EVANS!!!) considering that i have the shittiest drawing skills.
So yes, I highly recommend this school for continuing ed/​adult classes because the courses are very affordable, they are also eligible for college credit — two birds with one stone.
If you dont know it yet — FIT is part of the STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK, i suppose this allows the courses to be very very affordable (i paid $ 522 for 2 drawing classes!, with college credit)
food is questionable — you are mostly happily fed by the vending machines and the delis outside of the A bldg. But you know… fashion students dont eat… LOL
the continuing education department is also quite helpful and very knowledgeable and they answer questions right away.