Inspiring objects in our workspaces
By Jonathan Vatner
Objects can transform a space, and they hold incredible power. Whether it’s an artwork by a family member, a trinket that brings back memories of a special trip, or photographs of a personal hero, a well-placed memento can imbue a room with warmth and inspiration. On the following pages, FIT alumni, faculty, and staff share the objects that help work feel a little more like home.
My daughter must have done this painting in the third or fourth grade. She is fond of skyscapes, either with a setting or full sun; nearly all of her pieces feature them. Naturally, they remind me how proud I am of her creativity, but more than that, the images just make me happy.
—Tracy Gambles, counselor associate, Academic Advisement Center
This windbreaker hanging in my home office combines my love of boxing, admiration of Muhammad Ali, and passion for music. Ali recorded a single titled, “I Am the Greatest.” During the recordings, he had five of these jackets made for his “crew,” and they are featured in the movie The Greatest. I was told that this jacket is the only one remaining. The 45 rpm record is a first pressing used to promote the song to radio stations.
—Jeff Meltzer, adjunct instructor, Advertising and Marketing Communications; owner, Meltzer Media Productions
These are “portraits” of my beloved cat, Schmooie, who passed away in 2001.
—Nancy Eder, adjunct assistant professor, History of Art
When issues and stress arise, I look at photos of Audrey Hepburn and my favorite ’60s fashion, and the world becomes more peaceful.
—Steven Stipelman, Fashion Illustration ’63, professor, Fashion Design–Art, legendary fashion illustrator
I created this stoneware piece when I was a student, trying to figure out where I was headed. I was exploring some of the qualities that ceramics pieces could achieve—in this case, an object seemingly in suspended motion. Originally, I had planned for it to be like a series of dominoes falling, but after its firing, I thought it was better upside down. Ceramics turned out to be a step along the way toward a career in architecture and interior design, but I like to surround myself with these earlier, formative pieces as a way to remember this time in my life.
—Joseph Goldstein, adjunct assistant professor, Interior Design; founder, JGArchitects
This is my great-grandmother Ella’s freestanding sewing box, complete with thread, notions, and a pincushion that belonged to her. Her skill and interest in textiles and needle arts were passed down to me.
—Lori Weyand Mason, Textile/Surface Design ’96, founder, Lori Mason Design
Tea gets me through my day.
—Miyo Sandlin, Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice, assistant professor, Instructional Services and Student Engagement librarian
This cairn brings me from my basement office to my happy place, the great outdoors.
—Palma Genovese, Restoration ’01, associate coordinator, Operational Services, FIT
In this small section of my workspace, where wall and shelf intersect, are jewelry and mementos of dear value. The mannequins, medical and otherwise (one of whom still wears my first Covid mask) stand sentinel. The photo of Jacqueline Kennedy with Caroline and John-John in tow on horseback with a letter signed by social secretary Letitia Baldrige, was sent to me in 1963 after asking Caroline to be my friend! The black-and-white framed Xerox is a portrait of my children’s hands from when they were young. The jewelry pieces are an assorted mix of necklaces created over the years that still have no drawer to slide into or logical place to reside. The Japanese vase was placed into the assemblage to add some floral elegance. And then there’s the bold South African folk art poster at top representing hairstyles. They keep a watchful eye over the whole crew.
—Pauletta Brooks, Illustration ’79, jewelry designer
My brother and I started Spacebiskit in Brooklyn in 2016 as an experiment, bringing together his world of fine art and my background in fashion design. It’s not just fashion—it’s storytelling in the form of clothing and objects. I moved back to Chennai, India, in 2017 to be closer to production, and in 2023, we opened our concept space.
This spinal cord, which I conceptualized and hand-drew before it was sculpted in fiberglass, sits right at the front of our concept store. I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of the subconscious and the unseen structures that hold us together, physically and emotionally. The spinal cord felt like the perfect symbol for that.
—Shruti Biswajit, Fashion Design ’14, co-founder and creative director, Spacebiskit
I studied the history of the corset for years, in the process acquiring an archive of visual material, including this 1933 Corsets Le Furet Art Deco advertising poster by Roger Perot, which I found rolled up in the back of a used bookstore and purchased for $100.
—Valerie Steele, director and chief curator, The Museum at FIT
I bought these beaded patchworks and the traditional-looking hat from artisans in a remote village in Pakistan. Hand-beading, crochet, embroidery, and woven techniques inspire me tremendously.
—Nazia Rana, Textile/Surface Design ’86, owner and designer, Naazspectrum Inc.