Mission Statement

Founded in 1969 by the Fashion Institute of Technology of the State University of New York, The Museum at FIT is a specialized fashion museum that fulfills the educational mission of the college and university by promoting original research, creative thinking, and lifelong learning among diverse and inclusive audiences.

Whereas many academic museums have fine art or natural history collections, The Museum at FIT ethically collects, conserves, documents, exhibits, and interprets aesthetically and historically important examples of dress and fashion from around the world, which it holds in trust for future generations.

The museum’s innovative exhibitions, programs, publications, digital resources, and collaborations have made it internationally renowned as a dynamic center of creativity, research, and scholarship that educates and inspires audiences, and advances recognition of the cultural significance of dress and fashion. 

The museum supports and enriches FIT’s academic programs through exhibitions that support pedagogy and highlight the creative work of FIT students, alumni, and faculty, as well as through collections-based classes, research opportunities, internships, and professional training for the next generation of cultural leaders.

Finally, the museum serves as a bridge between the campus and the wider community. With its free exhibitions, public programs, and online initiatives, often focusing on diverse and inclusive themes, the museum is one place on campus where the public is always welcome, and where visitors, including future students and members of underserved communities, find opportunities for inspiration, engagement, and experiential learning.