IFEZ Journal

INTRO-DUCING 

THE GLOBAL 

CAMPUS IN IFEZ

 

* FIT

FIT is the short form for the “Fashion Institute of Technology,” which is located in New York, the center of the American fashion industry. The school is considered the “MIT of fashion,” especially renowned for its programs in Fashion Design and Fashion Business Management. FIT cultivates leaders and professionals, and its graduates have secured positions at some of the world’s most prestigious fashion brands.

SPECIAL INTERVIEW

Shin Yong-suk

special advisor for international cooperation 

within Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ)

Leonard Bess

chair and professor of SUNY Korea FIT’s Fashion Design Department

Shin Yong-suk  Could you introduce some of the renowned designers who have graduated from FIT during its proud 80-year legacy?

Leonard Bess Among FIT’s distinguished alumni are Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Norma Kamali, Ralph Rucci, Ralph Lauren, Jil Sander, Zac Posen, Carolina Herrera, and Stephen Burrows. Notably, Director Shin Hei-soon—dean of the International Fashion Design Institute and director of the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume—was the first Korean to graduate from FIT’s Fashion Design Department, as part of the Class of 1963.

Shin Yong-suk Could you tell us about some of FIT’s major awards and other notable achievements?

Leonard Bess FIT was ranked the world’s top fashion school by the prestigious CEOWORLD Magazine in 2019, 2021, and 2023, and it has once again claimed the No. 1 spot for 2025. For your reference, CEOWORLD Magazine is one of the world’s most influential business publications, read by CEOs, CFOs, senior executives, investors, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide.

In addition, a new academic building—the first to be constructed on the New York campus in more than 40 years—is on track to open for classes in fall 2025. This 10-story, 100,000-square-foot facility offers a state-of-the-art learning environment, featuring 26 smart, energy-efficient spaces, including classrooms, studios, and labs, as well as a double-height knitting lab for hands-on training.

Shin Yong-suk What motivated FIT—widely recognized as the world’s premier fashion school—to establish a campus in Korea?

Leonard Bess In the past, Chinese students made up a significant portion of FIT’s Fashion Design Department in New York, but over the years, more and more Korean students have enrolled. We also became interested in Korea because of its distinctive cultural identity and unique fashion-related heritage. FIT decided to establish a campus in Songdo, leveraging Korea’s vibrant cultural landscape and the high demand for international education among students. The Korea campus allows students to access world-class fashion education without needing to study in the United States, also enabling FIT to expand its global presence and tap into the unique cultural DNA of Korea’s film, media, art, and fashion scenes.

Shin Yong-suk I understand that SUNY FIT Korea’s Fashion Design program is the only one in Korea accredited by NASAD. Could you explain the significance of this accreditation?

Leonard Bess Founded in 1944, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is an organization comprising schools, conservatories, colleges, and universities, with approximately 321 accredited institutional members. It establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as related credentials in art and design disciplines.

NASAD accreditation ensures that the Fashion Design program at SUNY FIT Korea provides students with world-class education. Notably, about 80% of Korean FIT graduates go on to continue their studies in New York. Currently, it remains the only NASAD-accredited fashion design program in Korea.

Shin Yong-suk  What kind of preparation is needed to apply for the FIT program at SUNY Korea?

Leonard Bess Unlike the admission system in Korea, SUNY FIT Korea, as a U.S. institution, selects all incoming students through a 100% holistic admissions process. All applications are reviewed by the New York campus, where applicants are evaluated not only on their academic performance but also on their overall experiences, potential, and capabilities. For those applying to the Fashion Design program, applicants will be given instructions for a design test and must submit a design portfolio containing various creative projects, including drawings and sewing assignments. The portfolio is a key component, showcasing an applicant’s design aptitude and artistic potential, and it plays a vital role in the admissions process. Meanwhile, applicants to the Fashion Business Management program should demonstrate both an interest in business and a comprehensive understanding of the fashion industry.

Shin Yong-suk  We’d also like to learn more about the opportunities for AAS degree graduates to continue their studies at FIT campuses in New York, Milan, or Florence. Could you share some more info on that?

Leonard Bess FIT offers residential study-abroad programs in Florence and Milan for students majoring in Fashion Design and Fashion Business Management. The Milan program, conducted in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano, is for Fashion Design (BFA) students, while the Florence program, held in partnership with Polimoda, is for Fashion Business Management students. Both programs are taught in English, and the credits earned are fully recognized toward FIT degree requirements.

Shin Yong-suk  The SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, located on the Songdo FIT campus, is really impressive. 

Leonard Bess The roots of Korean fashion education trace back to 1949, when Director Choi Kyung-ja founded the Gukje Yangjae Institute (later known as the International Clothing Institute). Her daughter, Shin Hei-soon—now director of the International Fashion Institute—carried on the family legacy, leading to the growth of fashion education in Korea. In 1963, Shin became the first Korean to complete the curriculum at FIT. After returning to Korea, she served as president of the FIT Alumni Association, contributing greatly to the advancement of fashion education and the industry in Korea. She now serves as director of the SUNY Korea Museum of Modern Costume, where she works with its curator, Linda Kim, to organize two to three special exhibitions each year and to present a graduation showcase featuring the works of Fashion Design AAS students at the end of each semester. The museum plays a key role in introducing Korea’s rich and diverse culture to global audiences, also serving as an educational hub that explores the history and culture of Korean fashion and inspiring the next generation of fashion students.

Shin Yong-suk  Are there any current events or initiatives in which FIT is engaging with the Korean or local community?

Leonard Bess FIT Korea has a long history of carrying out projects that engage local Incheon residents. We have the Natural Dye Garden, which is attended by other colleges and campus workers. In the past, we have held the Hyundai Premium Mall Fashion Show and Fashion Fiesta. In particular, the Fashion Fiesta, a musical fashion show co-hosted with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Authority, has become a signature local event. It was first held in 2019, followed by a successful second edition in 2022. FIT Korea plans to continue exploring new opportunities to engage with and contribute to the local community.

Shin Yong-suk  On behalf of the IFEZ Journal readers, I would like to thank you for sharing your valuable insights with us!