Study Collection

The Study Collection consists of over 1,000 garments and accessories that are available for research and educational use. With objects spanning from the 19th century to present, it is a valuable teaching tool for FIT professors and provides unique learning opportunities for students across various disciplines.

Collection Holdings

  • Designers represented in the study collection include Adrian, Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, Bonnie Cashin, Coco Chanel, André Courrèges, Christian Dior, Claire McCardell, Halston, and Yves Saint Laurent.

  • Garments selected for study are either quintessential silhouettes throughout fashion history, archetypes of a designer’s work, or examples of specific design details.

  • The study collection is organized thematically and chronologically, which allows instructors to easily select objects according to garment type (such as lingerie, sportswear, and outerwear); fabrication technique (including tailoring, pleating, and beading); and time period.

  • Flat textiles dating back to the 17th century are also included in the study collection’s holdings—arranged in boxes by era, fiber content, and pattern.

  • A selection of line-for-line muslin copies of historical garments from the permanent collection are available to those who wish to study patterns, draping, and construction.

  • The study collection includes cabinets of accessories which hold examples of fashionable footwear, handbags, hats, gloves, belts, and fans.

  • The objects in the study collection reflect the quality of those in the museum’s permanent collection. The garments that have been reallocated for educational use are either too fragile for exhibition or are repetitions of pieces already housed in the main collection.

poink, green, yellow, and mahogany pattenred dress

Dress

Emilio Pucci, 1962

grey and brown gingham short sleeve dress with drop waist skirt

Dress

Claire McCardell, c. 1947

grey, white, and light blue coat of organically shaped stripes and exterior pockets

Coat

Emanuel Ungaro, 1968

tan, collared button down suit with matching striped skirt

Suit

Pierre Balmain, 1948

gold lame, tan crepe long sleeve dress with braided cord

Dress

Geoffrey Beene, c. 1969

red collared knee length coat and a muslin replica

Coat (copy)

 Cristóbal Balenciaga, c. 1958

gold short sleeve dress with metallic detailing

Dress

American, c. 1928

iridescent blue and purple jacket, cropped top, and mini skirt ensemble

Ensemble

Kenneth Richard, 1996

Educational Offerings

  • Students and researchers are able to view selections from the study collection in one of two museum classrooms. They are given the opportunity to look at the garments up close and observe construction details like seam finishes, fabric manipulation, and embellishment techniques.

  • The Museum at FIT serves over 1,500 students per semester from graduate, undergraduate, continuing education, and pre-college programs. Courses focused on fashion history or garment construction particularly benefit from the study collection; however, the museum welcomes classes from a range of fashion disciplines—including fashion business management, styling, and merchandising.

  • Instructors who wish to bring their classes to the study collection can book two types of appointments—either an instructor-led class with a customized selection of garments, or a History of 20th-Century Fashion lecture led by museum staff using the staff member's pre-selected pieces.

  • Individual research appointments to view study collection objects are occasionally granted to FIT undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to external graduate students and professional academics. Learn more.

  • Study collection classes can be booked by contacting Raissa Bretaña, [email protected].

a clothing rack with various clothes in a classroom
Selections from the MFIT Study Collection used for the History of 20th-Century Fashion lectures