The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, located in Hell's Kitchen, New York, is a unique institution dedicated to the history, art, and business of fashion. The museum, often referred to as MFIT, was founded in 1969 and is part of the Fashion Institute of Technology, a college of the State University of New York.
The museum boasts a collection of over 50,000 garments and accessories dating from the 18th century to the present. This extensive collection includes works by iconic designers such as Charles Frederick Worth, Coco Chanel, Cristóbal Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. Notably, the museum's collection also emphasizes American fashion, featuring significant contributions from designers like Claire McCardell and Halston.
One of the museum's most renowned exhibitions is "The Corset: Fashioning the Body," which explored the history and cultural significance of the corset and included rare pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries. Another notable exhibition was "Fairy Tale Fashion," which examined the role of clothing in fairy tales through garments and accessories inspired by stories like "Cinderella" and "Little Red Riding Hood."
The museum is also known for its innovative and thought-provoking exhibitions. For example, "A Queer History of Fashion: From the Closet to the Catwalk" was the first major museum exhibition to explore the contributions of LGBTQ designers to the fashion industry. Another groundbreaking exhibition was "Black Fashion Designers," which highlighted the achievements of Black designers from the 1950s to the present day.
In addition to its exhibitions, the museum offers educational programs and resources. The Fashion Culture series features lectures, panel discussions, and workshops with industry professionals, scholars, and designers. The museum also collaborates with FIT faculty on research projects and special exhibitions.
Located at Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, the museum is accessible and free to the public, making it a valuable resource for students, researchers, and fashion enthusiasts. The museum's commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives and its extensive collection make it a vital institution in the world of fashion.