Founded in 1969 as the Design Laboratory, the Museum at FIT holds more than 50,000 garments and accessories spanning from the 18th century to the present. It specializes in aesthetically and historically significant clothing, accessories, textiles, and visual materials, with a strong focus on contemporary avant-garde fashion. Its three galleries showcase creations by Balenciaga, Chanel, Dior, and many others.
Thematic exhibitions make the museum especially engaging. For example, I was lucky to catch a show dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, featuring a retrospective of clothing, stage costumes, and merchandise from the world’s most influential music genre.
Origins
The Museum at FIT was founded in 1969 as part of the Fashion Institute of Technology—one of the leading institutions in fashion, design, and art education. Originally intended as an educational resource for students, it has since grown into a globally recognized authority in the fashion world.
Since 1993, the museum has been formally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Thanks to curators such as Valerie Steele, The Museum at FIT has become a critical space for examining fashion as a cultural and historical phenomenon.
Collections and Exhibitions
The museum’s holdings include over 50,000 pieces covering five centuries of fashion—from rare 18th-century garments to cutting-edge designs of the 21st century. The collection features works by Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and many other iconic designers.
The Museum at FIT is renowned for its carefully curated exhibitions. Its main spaces include the Fashion and Textile History Gallery, which presents thematic shows, and the Special Exhibitions Gallery, dedicated to larger, temporary projects. Acclaimed past exhibitions include Gothic: Dark Glamour, A Queer History of Fashion, Paris, Capital of Fashion, and Reinvention and Restlessness: Fashion in the 90s.
Interesting Facts about the Museum at FIT
- Free admission: One of the few New York museums offering free entry, making it accessible to both students and the public.
- Unique academic approach: The only museum in New York dedicated exclusively to fashion, it actively engages with FIT’s research and educational programs.
- Interactive resources: Virtual tours, online exhibitions, and digital archives allow fashion lovers worldwide to explore the collections remotely.
- Valerie Steele: As director and chief curator, she is one of the most influential figures in fashion history, transforming the museum into a platform that views fashion not just as clothing but as an expression of social and cultural processes.
Visitor Information
Website: www.fitnyc.edu/museum
📍 Address: 227 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Admission: Free
