Alumni Weekend 2024 Schedule
October 25–27
A weekend of festivities welcoming alumni back to campus.
Online registration is now closed; We will accept walk-up registrations for all events that are not sold out.
Featured Events
Rising Stars Alumni Fireside Chat
Friday, October 25 | 6:30 pm | Livestream
Industry Networking + Mentorship Luncheon
Saturday, October 26 | 12:30 pm
Hue Live: Writing Fashion History Alumni Panel
Saturday, October 26 | 4 pm | Livestream
Reunion Brunch
Sunday, October 27 | 11 am
After-Party at "Binsky's"
Friday, October 25 | 7:30 pm
Young Alumni Happy Hour
Saturday, October 26 | 5 pm
Full Schedule
Check-In
Pomerantz Center, Lobby
at the corner of West 27th Street and Seventh Avenue
Check in with the Alumni Relations team in the lobby of the Pomerantz Center, where you will receive your Alumni Weekend lanyard and badge, which will allow access to campus for the weekend.
Legend
^ add-on purchase required.
* events open to children, see note for ages.
Friday, October 25
Pomerantz Center Lobby
Check in with the Alumni Relations team in the Pomerantz Center lobby to receive your Alumni Weekend lanyard and badge, which you will use for campus access during the weekend.
All interested must register in advance to attend; you can do so at the link below:
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, Pomerantz Center
The Museum at FIT's 32nd symposium, Africa's Fashion Diaspora, will explore key histories, networks, and industries led by Black designers who are actively shaping fashion culture. Scholars and designers illustrate the breadth and depth of diasporic fashion networks, from the African continent to South America and the United States.
Concurrent events; choose one. Space is limited, register now!
Picturing Light: Artists Explore Luminosity Curator Tour
Art and Design Gallery, Pomerantz Center
Professor Anne Finkelstein will lead a tour of Picturing Light, a follow-up to Picturing Space (2019), which is an exploration of the many manifestations of light. The exhibition brings together the work of fine artists and photographers, including FIT alumni artists, and exhibition, textile, and interior designers who respond to natural and artificial light.
The Science and Craft of Papermaking Hands-on Workshop*
Dubinsky Student Center, Room AC-08
Come learn about the science behind our most versatile and recyclable material: paper! From writing, to origami, to packaging materials paper is the foundation for recording human knowledge and exploring our creativity. Hosted by Julian Silverman from the Department of Science and Math with the support of the FIT President’s Sustainability Council.
*Children ages 10 and up are welcome.
Natural Dye Garden Tour + Workshop*^
Dye Garden Rooftop, Feldman Center, Ninth Floor
Tour FIT's rooftop Natural Dye Garden with professor Whitney Crutchfield and learn about our dye plants and processes, as well as how the garden is harvested and maintained by students and volunteers. Then dive into our world of natural color with a hands-on dyeing workshop to make your very own silk scarf!
FIT's Natural Dye Garden was established by students with an interest in sustainable textile production and is an ongoing student-led research project.
*Children ages 8 and up are welcome to join!
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
Concurrent events; choose one. Space is limited, register now!
Hollywood: A History Class Lecture
3:10–4:30 pm
Pomerantz Center, Room D-211
Meet recent FIT Film and Media alumna Erin Willers. Willers will share her experiences as Martin Scorsese's video archivist, on the set of Scorsese's recent film Flowers of the Killer Moon, and building her career in film. Willers will be interviewed by a current FIT student from the class "Hollywood: A History," taught by Professor Dan Levinson Wilk.
Fragrance Development Workshop^
3:30–4:30 pm
Annette Green Fragrance Foundation Studio, Dubinsky Student Center, Sixth Floor, Room
A-682
Express yourself by customizing FIT's Scentwear Fragrance in the Fragrance Studio at FIT with Cosmetics and Fragrance Marketing professor Virginia Bonofiglio. Participants will be able to customize their fragrance based on the addition of a personal choice top note, and learn how to use materials indispensable to the creation of your favorite perfumes and colognes.
Print & Pattern: Designing a Custom FIT Tote Bag^*
3:30–4:30 pm
Dubinsky Student Center, Fifth Floor, Room A-581
Learn the basics of block printing and explore different printing techniques with alum Stephanie Oge! You'll learn how to apply patterns and textures to fabric, gaining an understanding of color layering and composition. By the end of the workshop, you'll have the opportunity to design your own tote bag to take home a lasting memory from the weekend!
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
*Children ages 10 and up are welcome to join!
School of Graduate Studies Alumni Gathering
Grad Studies Lounge, Goodman Center, Room E-619
Come join Graduate School alumni for wine and cheese reception and an opportunity to reconnect and network with fellow graduates, the Dean, and faculty from all seven of FIT's graduate programs. Catch up with the many creative and business professionals who have gone on to shape numerous fields in the creative economy.
LGBTQ+ Community Social
Lagary Board Room, Feldman Center, Ninth Floor
Enjoy light refreshments, learn about LGBTQ History Month, and browse ICON, an art zine created by and for queer students. This gathering offers a chance to reconnect, celebrate diversity, and explore the dynamic voices of FIT's LGBTQ+ community.
This event is hosted in partnership with FIT's LGBTQ+ Alliance.
The Museum at FIT Lobby
President Joyce F. Brown will join us for a welcome reception to kick off Alumni Weekend. Everyone is invited, and campus leaders and faculty from each academic division will be present to welcome our alumni back to campus at this sophisticated evening celebration. There will be complimentary passed hors d'oeuvres, and beverages will be provided.
Rising Stars Alumni Panel
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
President Joyce F. Brown will host a fireside chat with three alumni reshaping the landscape of the fashion
industry.
Rowell Concepcion, Milliner, Binata Millinery
Rowell Concepcion studied fashion merchandising management and later, millinery, at FIT. He has worked for brands from Balenciaga to Alexander Wang, and founded Creative Projects Division, an accessories showroom, in 2015. Rowell launched Binata Millinery, in August 2020, as a tribute to his dad and a nod to his Filipino heritage. He is inspired by all things playful, quirky, and whimsical. Rowell currently makes every hat using traditional millinery techniques and responsibly sourced materials.
Rujuta Sheth, Womenswear designer, Rujuta Sheth
Rujuta Sheth lives and works in New York City. She travels often, and draws inspiration
from the cultures and landscapes she experiences. Born in India, she grew up surrounded
by artisans, weavers, beaders, and embroiderers. When she launched her namesake line,
Rujuta Sheth, in 2015, she naturally returned to tap into the creativity and craftsmanship
she knew so well. In her collections, Rujuta is committed to sustainability and longevity
in all facets of design, production, and wearability.
Clara Son, Menswear designer, Clara Son
South Korea born menswear designer Clara Son launched her New York City-based brand
in 2020. She studied in the BFA fashion design program at Parsons School of Design
and completed her MFA in fashion design at FIT. Since 2022, Clara has showcased her
collections at New York Fashion Week: Men's for three consecutive years and she was
also named a Fashion Trust US finalist in 2024. Clara's goal is to provide post-genderism
in her elegant and minimal designs.
Haft Theater Stage
Following the day's activities, join us for the afterparty at "Binsky's", a storied bar that once operated in the Dubinsky Student Center basement, which will be "re-staged" at Haft Theater for Alumni Weekend.
Whether you're reminiscing about your time at FIT or making new memories, the evening will be one you won't forget. The space will be transformed with throwback MTV-era videos and music mixed and curated by the NYC-based artist and DJ, Chris Jordan.
Ticket price includes light bites like smoked gouda mac and cheese and meatball sliders, as well as an open bar with beer, wine, sparkling wine, and a specialty Bourbon cocktail, "The Binsky"! Sponsored by Aramark.
^ additional ticket purchase required.
Saturday, October 26
Pomerantz Center Lobby
Check in with the Alumni Relations team in the lobby of the Pomerantz Center to receive your Alumni Weekend lanyard and badge, which you will use for campus access during the weekend.
Student Performances
Haft Theater
The Department of Student Life will host a vibrant and energizing welcome for Alumni Weekend and Family Day, featuring student performances that showcase the talent and passion of FIT.
*This event is part of Family Day and all ages are welcome.
Living Room, Feldman Center, Ninth Floor
The Presidential Scholars Program will host a mini-reunion for all program alumni. Please join new director, Katelyn Prager, past director Yasemin Levine, current scholars, and other alumni for coffee, pastries, and conversation.
Lagary Board Room, Feldman Center, Ninth Floor
We invite all Baker Scholars Alumni to a special breakfast reception during Alumni Weekend!
Join us on Saturday as we reconnect and celebrate all Baker Scholars. This event will bring together alumni and current scholars, offering a unique opportunity to share your experiences as ambassadors of the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology. We look forward to seeing you there!
Framed for Success: Headshot Station
Business and Liberal Arts Building Lobby
Need a new LinkedIn profile photo or just want a refreshed portrait? Get ready for your close up at our complimentary headshot station.
Photography services provided by White Honey, a full-service creative agency that specializes in photography and video production for beauty, fashion and lifestyle brands. Check us out on Instagram @whitehoneynyc.
Sponsored by White Honey and tarte Cosmetics.
Breakfast + Alumni Panel
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Livestream here
The Social Justice Center at FIT will host an informal breakfast followed by a panel of alumni leading the way in the creative economy, moderated by President Joyce F. Brown. Panelists include:
Marielle Bobo '01, Publishing & Journalism
Layana Aguilar '10, Designer
Alex Chimilio '97, Creative Director and Podcast Host
Stephanie Oge '06, Entrepreneur
From entertainment to fashion education, panelists will share their stories of challenging the structural barriers for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) to succeed in creative career paths and how they have paved the way for the next generation of professionals.
The Social Justice Center at FIT was established to encourage and support the growth of diversity in the creative industries.
Concurrent events; choose one. Space is limitied, register now!
Africa's Fashion Diaspora Guided Tour
The Museum at FIT, Goodman Center
Join Raissa Bretaña, education and collections assistant at The Museum at FIT, for a tour of Africa's Fashion Diaspora. This innovative exhibition features sixty fashions and accessories that explore fashion's role in shaping international Black diasporic cultures.
Archives Show + Tell with FIT Library
FIT SPARC Reading Room, Goodman Center, Fifth Floor, Room E-435
Take a look at yearbooks, student fashion shows, designer sketches, rare fashion prints, 1800s fashion magazines—the FIT Library's unit of Special Collections and College Archives, better known as SPARC, is excited to share with alumni some of its rare and fragile items kept safe in our vaults.
SPARC's new head, Tiffany Nixon, and staff member Samantha Levin will be on hand to introduce you to what we do to preserve the special holdings we care for, and how they support FIT's current students and faculty.
Concurrent events; choose one. Space is limited, register now!
See Family Day schedule for room locations and more info.
Join the amazing FIT faculty in mock-class faculty demonstrations to see what students are learning inside the classroom! Details about specfic faculty demonstrations offered will be posted prior to Alumni Weekend.
11 am–12 pm
Digital Design Studio with professor Ruobing Zhao
Fashion Business Management First Year Experience with professor Vickie Rokkos
Fashion Marketing and Digital Technology with professor Dong Yang
Rendering the Fashion Figure with professor Helen Castillo
Notched Collar Jacket Drape with professor Juliana Cho
Studio Tour with student demonstrations with professor Damian Mucaro
12 pm–1 pm
Digital Design Studio with professor Ruobing Zhao
Water Repellent Textiles with professor Preeti Arya
Brand Management with professor Kristy Fall
Fashion Business Management First Year Experience with professor Vickie Rokkos
Rendering the Fashion Figure with professor Helen Castillo
Notched Collar Jacket Drape with professor Juliana Cho
Rhetoric, Research, and You with professor Neiha Bhandari
Studio Tour with student demonstrations with professor Damian Mucaro
1 pm–2 pm
Water Repellent Textiles with professor Preeti Arya
Fashion Business Management First Year Experience with professor Vickie Rokkos
Rhetoric, Research, and You with professor Neiha Bhandari
Studio Tour with student demonstrations with professor Damian Mucaro
Getting your film into film festival with professor Minsker
*some sessions may be appropriate for children; Refer to Family Day schedule for more details.
Networking and Mentorship Lunch
Dining Room, Dubinsky Student Center, Eighth Floor
Meet alumni, peers, and leaders in your field of expertise or interest at our luncheon! Student leaders interested in mentorship opportunities will be invited as well. Ticket price includes a seated buffet-style lunch in the Faculty Dining Room with seasonal ingredients and dessert.
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
Africa's Fashion Diaspora Exhibition Guided Tour
The Museum at FIT, Goodman Center
Join Raissa Bretaña, education and collections assistant at The Museum at FIT, for a tour of Africa's Fashion Diaspora. This innovative exhibition features sixty fashions and accessories that explore fashion's role in shaping international Black diasporic cultures.
Feldman Center, Second floor, Room C-205
Please join us for a student-led tour of the FIT campus! You'll have the opportunity to see some of our classrooms and labs, a residence hall, our student-run boutique, and more!
Business and Liberal Arts Building Lobby
Join us for a community weaving project! We invite you to add provided fabric strips to this oversized frame loom. Experience the process of free weaving and help shape this fiber art work. Stop by over the course of the day as the fabric on the loom is constantly forming and reforming throughout the day. No experience necessary!
27th Street Fall Fair
Join us on 27th Street for an afternoon of fun and activities: food trucks, pumpkin painting, games, and more.
*Family Day event open to all ages!
Alumni Bazaar
FIT Breezeway
It wouldn't be FIT without a market in the Breezeway! Partnering with the Style Shop, we have curated a market featuring goods from alumni makers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. From artisan jewelry to natural skincare to unique home decor, we have something for everybody at the Alumni Bazaar!
*Fun for all ages! There's something for everyone in the FIT family at the bazaar.
Concurrent events; choose one. Space is limited, register now!
Archives Show + Tell with FIT Library
FIT SPARC Reading Room, Goodman Center, Fifth Floor, Room E-435
Take a look at yearbooks, student fashion shows, designer sketches, rare fashion prints, 1800s fashion magazines—the FIT Library's unit of Special Collections and College Archives, better known as SPARC, is excited to share with alumni some of its rare and fragile items kept safe in our vaults.
SPARC's new head, Tiffany Nixon, and staff member Samantha Levin will be on hand to introduce you to what we do to preserve the special holdings we care for, and how they support FIT's current students and faculty.
CLO 3D Design Software Demo
Feldman Center, Second Floor, Room C-231
Learn more about this innovative technology for fashion designers and creatives with a software demonstration by Fashion Design professor Dobriana Gheneva.
Make Your Own Leather Coin Pouch Workshop*^
Dubinsky Student Center, Fourth Floor, Room A-488
In this hands on leather craft workshop, make your own leather wallet, with FIT Alum Alana Yoffee! In just one hour you will hammer, glue, and decorate your very own leather wallet! No experience necessary! An exciting opportunity to learn a new skill and work with your hands!
*Perfect for all ages and skill levels.
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
Dress for the Career You Want: Personal Style Workshop
Feldman Center, Sixth Floor, Room C-615
Celebrity stylist Jeffrey Ampratwum will give style lessons covering color analysis, styling tips, fashion theory, industry news, and give individual assessments of personal style!
FIT Bookstore, Dubinsky Student Center Basement
Join us at the Campus bookstore for a meet and greet with alumni authors:
Tonya Blazio-Licorish, author of Black in Fashion
Lara Eurdolian King, author of Charlie at the Pom Springs Hotel
Nancy MacDonell, author of Empresses of Seventh Avenue: World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion
Tanya Meléndez-Escalante, editor of Latin American and Latinx Fashion Design Today ¡MODA HOY!
Cyndie Spiegel, author of Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life is Not Okay
This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect with accomplished alumni authors, discover their latest works, and gain insights into their creative journeys. Don't miss the chance to support your fellow alumni and pick up a signed copy of their books!
Concurrent events; choose one.
Black Student Union
Dubinsky Student Center, Sixth floork, Room A-643
Meet current members and reconnect with alumni of FIT's Black Student Union. The Black Student Union at the Fashion Institute of Technology aims to offer students whose identity or identities are linked to the experiences of the African Diaspora.
Merchandising Society
Lobby of Dubinsky Student Center
Reconnect with alumni of the merchandising society over desserts and light appetizers. Club advisor and professor Catherine Geib, along with current members of the Merchandising Society and the Style Shop look forward to welcoming you!
Runway 27
Dubinsky Student Center, Game Room, Seventh floor, Room A-738
Meet and greet with current members and reconnect with alumni of Runway 27, one of FIT's longest running student organizations.
Runway27 members produce an annual fashion show: they come up with the theme, source the garments and accessories, do hair and makeup, secure sponsors, design the set, capture video and photo content, and market the event to the FIT community. Runway27 was founded in 2013 by Fashion Business Management Professor Lori Massaro. The club now has 150 student members hailing from many different majors.
Student Government Association
SGA Office, Dubinsky Student Center, Seventh Floor, Room A-730
Meet current members of the FIT Student Government Association and connect with fellow alumni who served during their time at FIT.
WFIT Radio Station
Dubinsky Student Center, Room AC-10
Meet current members and reconnect with alumni of the WFIT Radio Station student club. WFIT unites students through vibrant broadcasting, DJing, film, and media at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
W27 Newspaper
Dubinsky Student Center, Room A-707
Reconnect with alumni and meet current student members of FIT's college newspaper, W27!
W27 is created and produced monthly by students who are involved in all aspects of production: journalism, editing, layout, budget, promotion, and advertising. The paper serves as the voice of the student body and covers topics of interest to the college community.
Pomerantz Center, Sixth floor, Room D-614
Join professor Anita Clipston to learn more about the process of live portrait drawing. Get an understanding of light, form, and shadow as Clipston takes you through each step in capturing a live model as a subject. If you'd like to draw along, grab your sketchbook and some pencils!
DTech Lab, Feldman Center, Room C-110
Come to the Entrepreneurship Social, hosted by Michael Ferraro, Executive Director of the Design and Technology (DTech) Lab, and William Reinisch, Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at FIT. Network and brainstorm at the DTech Lab, a hub for innovation and collaboration.
The DTech Lab is a state-of-the-art facility that empowers FIT students to work with industry leaders on real-world projects. The Entrepreneurship Department is responsible for academic activities in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation for the creative industries. Get inspired by networking with FIT’s subject matter experts.
Writing Fashion History Alumni Panel
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, Pomerantz Center
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring three distinguished FIT alumni who have made their mark in the world of fashion literature!
Moderated by Alex Joseph, FIT's chief storyteller, this event brings together Tonya Blazio-Licorish, co-author of Black in Fashion, a celebration of Black voices in fashion history; Nancy MacDonell, fashion journalist and author of Empresses of Seventh Avenue; and Tanya Meléndez-Escalante, senior curator at The Museum at FIT and co-author of Latin American and Latinx Fashion Design Today - ¡Moda Hoy!
From exploring the contributions of Black creatives to uncovering the untold stories of women who shaped American fashion, our panelists will take you on a fascinating journey.
Rooftop Happy Hour
Good Behavior
44 W 29th St 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Reconnect with fellow recent graduates, enjoy great vibes, and dance to beats spun by FIT alum DJ Autumn at an iconic New York rooftop bar, Good Behavior. Don't miss this fun evening of networking, music, and celebration! Ticket price includes a selection of delicious, seasonal bites, and two drink tickets.
This event is intended for graduates of the last decade (class of 2014-2024), but all FIT alumni are welcome.
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
Gotham Comedy Club All-Stars Show
Gotham Comedy Club
208 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011
Meet in front of The Museum at FIT at 5:30 pm if you'd like to walk over together.
Join us for a night out at the Gotham Comedy Club! Ticket price includes access to the renowned All-Stars Show, two drinks, plus gratuity. After the show, we will convene for light appetizers and more drinks to top off the night at the Gotham Vintage Lounge for a special reception only for FIT alumni hosted by FIT alum and Gotham Comedy Club founder Chris Mazzilli.
About Gotham Comedy Club All-Stars Show: A professional Showcase featuring comics from Netflix, Showtime, HBO, The Daily Show, The Tonight Show, Late Night, The Late Show, The Late Late Show, and various TV shows and films.
^ Additional ticket purchased required.
Sunday, October 27
Reunion Brunch
Dining Room, Dubinsky Student Center, Eighth Floor
Whether you're celebrating a milestone reunion or simply want to reconnect with your FIT family, this brunch is your chance to mingle, reminisce, and enjoy a stylish morning of bites and sips. Indulge in delicious brunch classics with gluten-free and vegan options as well as two gourmet brunch cocktail bars:
Mimosa Bar: Customize your bubbles with Prosecco, pomegranate juice, OJ, white cranberry juice, peach nectar, and a vibrant array of fresh fruits and herbs.
Bloody Mary Bar: Craft your own spicy concoction with vodka, classic Bloody Mary mix, and savory garnishes like pork belly kabobs, pickles, and olives.
Ticket price covers all food, drinks, and of course, priceless memories with fellow alumni!
^ Additional ticket purchase required.
Campus Hours
Enjoy 10% off all food (excluding sushi) at the campus dining hall with your Alumni Weekend Lanyard!
Need new FIT swag? Stop by the campus store and get 20% off any item!
See below for the open hours of campus amenities:
| Days | Hours | Location | |
| Museum at FIT | Friday | 12 pm–8 pm |
Goodman Center |
| Saturday | 10 am–5 pm |
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| FIT Campus Store | Friday | 10:30 am–5 pm |
Dubinsky Student Center |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–5:30 pm |
|
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| Sunday | 10 am–3:30 pm |
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| The Style Shop | Friday | 10 am–6 pm |
Lobby of Dubinsky Student Center |
| Saturday | 10 am–6:30 pm |
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| Dining Hall | Friday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
Dubinsky Student Center |
| Saturday |
10 am–2 pm |
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| Starbucks | Friday |
7:30 am–5 pm |
Located inside Dining Hall, Dubinsky Student Center |
| Saturday |
9 am–4 pm |
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