Fern Mallis has been named foundation director at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In her new role, Mallis will serve as a mentor, industry liaison, advocate, and philanthropic adviser. The foundation was established in 1944 by apparel industry leaders to nurture and educate future leaders for the fashion industry. Today the foundation serves as an advisory and fundraising body to FIT. Foundation directors share their knowledge and experience with students by serving as panelists and lecturers, as well as meeting and interacting with students in all areas of study. They are also responsible for fundraising.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the FIT Foundation Board. FIT has always been an incredible part of our industry with over 11,000 students from 70 countries,” Mallis told The Daily. “Its campus is just next door to the fashion industry and it’s where we all look for the next generation of professionals. I love the diversity of its programming—from toy design to production, business and technology to communication and exhibition design. It’s not just fashion. And at this stage of my career I enjoy giving back and being part of this creative college.”
Mallis is a longtime industry vet having been a former senior vice president of IMG and former executive director of the CFDA. She is currently president of her own international fashion and design consultancy. She is a published author of Fashion Lives: Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis and is the creator and host of the lauded “Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis” series at the 92nd Street Y. In 2013, she was the recipient of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from FIT.
Current directors, in addition to Mallis, include Jay Baker, Pamela Baxter, Joy Herfel Cronin, Diane D’Erasmo, Abbey Doneger, Morris Goldfarb, Jill Granoff, Sam Haddad, Jane Hertzman Hudis, Laurence C. Leeds, Jr., Kevin Mansell, Athanasios (Tom) Nastos, Elizabeth Peek, Roberto Ramos, Bruce P. Rockowitz, Peter G. Scotese, Gary Sheinbaum, and J. Michael Stanley.
