Calvin Klein, Company Donate $2M to FIT

February 13, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on February 14, 2012 The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City has received a $2 million gift from alumnus Calvin Klein, and the company he founded, Calvin Klein, Inc.

Klein donated $1 million, through the Calvin Klein Family Foundation, which was matched by a $1 million donation by Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH Corp. (NYSE: PVH). This is the largest gift received to date from an FIT alumnus.

The funds will support the college's annual spring runway show, which showcases designs of students about to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design.

The fashion show is a professionally produced event that provides FIT students with the first opportunity to showcase their talents to industry professionals, established designers, and worldwide media. The 2012 runway show will be held Wednesday, May 2 at FIT.

"The annual FIT fashion show is the culmination of the very best of the fashion design students' accomplishments during their studies at FIT," Klein said. "This fund is dedicated to ensure that the FIT fashion show will continue to be the students' showcase to our industry without compromise. I am very proud that Calvin Klein, Inc. has joined my family foundation in this effort."

"FIT is extremely proud to call Calvin Klein one of our own," said Dr. Joyce F. Brown, president of FIT. "We value the commitment Calvin has demonstrated to our Fashion Design students by taking on the role of classroom mentor and critic as they prepare their capstone collections. Now, thanks to this generous gift from Calvin and Calvin Klein, Inc., FIT's young designers will have a runway show that is completely worthy of their talents for years to come."

Each spring, as a component of their graduation requirements, more than 150 fashion design majors entering their final semester design and produce a collection and have the opportunity to showcase one of their garments in their area of specialization: sportswear, special occasion, knitwear, intimate apparel, or childrenswear.

FIT's Fashion Design program was established in 1944, the year the college was founded. The associate-degree program provides students with an essential foundation for creating apparel from sketch to finished garment. In the baccalaureate program, students receive advanced instruction in specialized areas.