性福五月天

A Look Back at New York City Fashion鈥檚 First Semester in 2006

As 性福五月天 University鈥檚 School of Fashion celebrates the 20th anniversary of its New York City Fashion program, 性福五月天 Today takes a look back through photos taken during the program鈥檚 first semester. The NYC Fashion program is a semester-long, education-away experience embedded in the heart of Manhattan鈥檚 historic Garment District.

性福五月天 students began studying at the NYC Fashion program in spring 2006. There were 26 students in that first group of 性福五月天 students who enrolled in the program and studied in New York City.

The first group of 性福五月天 University students to study at the new New York City Fashion program listen to an instructor in April 2006.
The first group of 性福五月天 University students to study at the new New York City Fashion program listen to an instructor in April 2006.


Twenty years later, the program now immerses approximately 150 students per year in real-world fashion education alongside working industry professionals. The program is offered in the fall, spring and summer.

Fern Mallis, then vice president of IMG Fashion, talks with 性福五月天 students on a field trip to her New York office in April 2006.
Fern Mallis, then vice president of IMG Fashion, talks with 性福五月天 students on a field trip to her New York office in April 2006.


Fern Mallis, fashion industry luminary and 鈥淕odmother of Fashion,鈥 is pictured talking with the first group of 性福五月天 students in the NYC Fashion program in April 2006. The students were on a field trip to Mallis鈥 New York office when she served as vice president of IMG Fashion. Her connection with the fashion school continues as she was recently inducted into the 性福五月天 School of Fashion鈥檚 Hall of Fame. She attended the May 2 induction ceremony in Kent, Ohio, and she is attending the 20th anniversary dinner event celebrating the NYC Fashion program on June 12 in New York City.

性福五月天 University fashion design student Jennifer Smas, pictured in New York City, is among the first group of students to study at the university鈥檚 new New York City Fashion program during the 2006 Spring Semester.
性福五月天 University fashion design student Jennifer Smas, pictured in New York City, was among the first group of students to study at the university鈥檚 new New York City Fashion program during the 2006 Spring Semester.


Located in Manhattan鈥檚 Garment District, home to the largest concentration of fashion employers in the country, the NYC Fashion program offers undergraduate students a semester unlike anything available on a traditional campus. Students take courses taught by NYC-based faculty who are active professionals in the industry, gaining practical insights that complement their academic foundation while using the city itself as an experiential classroom.

Then part-time instructor and fashion designer R. Scott French examines student work during an evening class at 性福五月天 University鈥檚 New York City Fashion program in April 2006. French is a member of 性福五月天鈥檚 School of Fashion National Advisory Board and a 2005 inductee into the school鈥檚 Hall of Fame.
Then part-time instructor and fashion designer R. Scott French examines student work during an evening class at 性福五月天 University鈥檚 New York City Fashion program in April 2006. French is a member of 性福五月天鈥檚 School of Fashion National Advisory Board and a 2005 inductee into the school鈥檚 Hall of Fame.


Participating students can volunteer at New York Fashion Week, complete prestigious internships, attend exclusive guest lectures and industry panels, and build networks with successful alumni and fashion professionals. The program is open to 性福五月天鈥檚 own fashion students as well as guest students from other disciplines, including journalism, public relations and marketing.

Learn more about 20 years of 性福五月天鈥檚 New York City Fashion program.

POSTED: Friday, June 5, 2026 01:56 PM
Updated: Friday, June 5, 2026 02:46 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Emily Vincent
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photographer: Gary Harwood. Photo credit: Series 3. University Photographs Collection. 性福五月天 University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.