Fit in pop culture

You can tell a lot about a place from the way it shows up in the culture, and references to the college appear everywhere–in movies, on TV, in books and even songs. In aggregate, these mentions tell us that “FIT” is a code word for cool among ambitious creatives. Know some we missed? Email us at [email protected].

The Sopranos

In Season 3 of the classic mob drama, aspiring wise guy Jackie Jr. drops out of Rutgers and tells Tony he wants to apply to the “Fashion Institute” to learn to design men’s suits. (Spoiler: He doesn’t survive long enough to enroll.)

HOW TO MAKE IT IN AMERICA

The story of young strivers in the fashion scene, this 2010–11 HBO show features a protagonist who consults with his old FIT professor for advice about how to start an edgy denim line.

SAVED BY THE BELL

Lisa puts on a fashion show at the Max, the restaurant where the characters in this ’80s teen sitcom hang out, to impress a recruiter from the “Fashion Institute.” The recruiter loves it, and she’s accepted!

The morning show

In Season 3 of the acclaimed Apple TV+ drama about behind-the scenes scandals roiling a network, starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, the namesake morning show hosts a gala to benefit FIT.

WELCOME TO CHIPPENDALE’S

Juliette Lewis plays the designer of the famous tear-away stripper pants, which can be removed in a single flourish, and she says she went to FIT. The character is a composite, not real—but still.

MODEL

Celebrated documentarian Frederick Wiseman directed this black and white 1980 film about the modeling industry, which includes a shot of FIT’s iconic bridge over 27th Street.

Paris is Burning

Drag legend Willi Ninja name-checks FIT in a list of places he’s taught models to walk in Jenny Livingston’s influential 1990 doc about the ball scene. Did Ninja work at FIT, or even attend? Possibly.

This is Our Youth

In 1996, writer Kenneth Lonergan had a breakout success (as did actor Mark Ruffalo) with this play about three Upper West Side slackers. The female character says her dream is to graduate from FIT.

“RICHIE AND RUBEN”

In 2011, the rock band Fountains of Wayne released their album, Sky Full of Holes, featuring this ditty about a pair of hapless entrepreneurs. The lyrics: They opened a boutique they called “Debris”/Together with some kid from FIT/ Though later it turned out he never quite/ Got his degree. Er, no comment!

GLAMORAMA

Bret Easton Ellis (1998).

Students from FIT are spotted in a dramatic party scene in this dark satire of NYC nightlife.

THE EMPEROR’S CHILDREN

Claire Messud (2006).

One of the protagonists of this moving post 9/11 group portrait comes to the college to research a (never-to be-completed) study of children’s wear.

PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT LIFE

Atticus Lish (2014).

This gritty novel tells the story of a relationship between an Iraq War vet with PTSD and a kitchen worker from Flushing who studies part time at FIT.

DOMINICANA

Angie Cruz Fashion Design ’94 (2019).

Ana, the book’s protagonist, accompanies her brother-in-law to sell fried pastelitos to garment workers. He points out FIT, and she replies that she wants to study there (as Cruz herself did).

All images courtesy of Alamy except The Morning Show (courtesy of Apple TV+), This Is Our Youth (L.A. Theatre Works), Richie and Ruben (Lojinx), Glamorama and The Emperor’s Children (Vintage), Preparation for the Next Life (Tyrant Books), and Dominicana (Flatiron Books).

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