Instructor Spotlight: Gary Wolf

Gary Wolf is a fashion business professional with experience in consulting for manufacturing, service, and retail companies. He is currently a professor in the Fashion Business Management Department. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and an MBA degree from Georgia State University. Gary has also been an Adjunct Professor not only at FIT, but at NYU, St John’s University, Hofstra University, Baruch University, and Parsons School of Design. During the summers of 2016 and 2017, he instructed a merchandising math and inventory valuation class at ZSTU in China.

 

Prof. Wolf teaches the following FIT Precollege Classes:
HFM 064 The Ins and Outs of Fashion Merchandising
HFM 060 Fashion Forecasting: Seeing into the Future
HSX 120 The Fabulous World of Fashion Forecasting

Teaching Philosophy:
Learning about fashion business should include problem-solving techniques that resemble real-life situations in the modern industry. I emphasize cognitive learning with an integration of modern fashion decision-making and current examples of success.

Industry Experience:

  • National Field Marketing Director of Internap Network Services Corporation, a NASDAQ listed E-commerce innovator and provider
  • Vice President, Planning and Marketing at Frederick Atkins, Inc., an international service, apparel product development, and research corporation.
  • Vice President and Corporate Controller at Frederick Atkins.
  • Board of Directors, Audit Committee, of Ultimate Shopping Network an OTC listed home shopping network and multi-store retailer
  • Fathers Day Mothers Day Council and previously with Young Men’s Association (YMA) both non-profit apparel supported associations.

Instructor Spotlight: Elida Behar

Elida Behar is a buyer with experience in multiple product categories, such as shoes, handbags, toys, dresses, childrenswear, and men’s furnishings. She has been teaching in the Fashion Business Management Department at FIT since 2009. She spent her life’s work in the retail industry. She worked first in luxury at Saks Fifth Avenue and then at the NYC off-price specialty retailer, Daffy’s.

Prof. Behar teaches the following FIT Precollege Classes:
HSX 123: A Week in the Life of a Merchant

Teaching Philosophy:
I believe in succession building; I have an obligation to impart my knowledge to those who will follow and lead in the industry and in the American society. I have always approached teaching as the business practitioner. I connect the dots for the student – they are hearing merchandising theories for the first time – it is difficult to comprehend. I give many examples from my experience and the multiple product categories which I bought.

Recent Industry Accomplishments:

International Teaching | Summer 2015-2017

Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China

Prof. Behar has been selected to teach Global Merchandising to the upper divisions and has been re-appointed every year. This past summer, she was a keynote guest speaker at the International Forum of Fashion Brand Development at the university. Her speech addressed the Global Market and Merchandising Strategy.

Prof. Behar is a contributing researcher to Retailing in Emerging Markets, 2nd Edition by Bloomsbury Publishing, which was released in October 2017. The textbook is used in the Global Merchandising course: Elida Behar Contributes to Book on Retailing

Trends for Fall 2015

November just began meaning colder weather is approaching.This could mean an excuse to do more shopping than usual. What else is better than staying warm and in style? Here are some trends I’ve been seeing everywhere and absolutely love.

Over the knee boots: Effortless and stunning on any body type. These boots will keep you warm and will suit any outfit! Pair with leggings, jeans or even a dress. These boots are very versatile. Perfect for a night out or the day time. Over the knee boots will add you a bit of maturity and sensuality.

Givenchy-Spring-2015-Runway-Over-the-Knee-Boot-with-Laces

(Givenchy Boots, reposted from spottedfashion.com)

Sneakers: Fall is the last season to wear your favorite sneakers before the snow invades. White sneakers have been all the rave lately. From adidas to Nike Air Force 1’s these will leave you feeling sporty and fun. You can work these with any outfit. Dress them up or down for everyday.

adidas

(Adidas Superstar vs. Nike Air Force 1, reposted from www.djslocker.org)

Cool Coats: Obviously coats are very necessary for the colder weather but if you’re like me, I love to layer and not just wear one big bulky coat. Bold colored jackets, fur coats, fur trimmed coats, vests, cape coats, dusters and longline jackets will keep you right on trend and ready for the brisk weather.

vest

(Vest and Hat, reposted from thetrendique.com)

cape-jacket-olivia-palermo

(Palermo Jacket, reposted from unspeakablethoughtsunspoken.blogspot.com)

duster

(Duster Jacket, reposted from http://www.fashioncorner.co)

Bell Bottom Jeans: Ditch your skinny jeans…Bell bottom jeans are the next big thing. The 70’s trend is still going strong. Fit and flare jeans paired with a chunky sweater or with some high heel booties will make you feel confident and chic.

bell jeans 3

(Bell Jeans, reposted from fash11.com)

bell jeans 2

(Bell Jeans 2, reposted from thefashionwatch.com)

021615-nyfw-fall-winter-2015-trend-turtlenecks-embed3_0

(Turtlenecks, reposted from instylewhatsrightnow.wordpress.com)

Turtlenecks: Turtlenecks were all over the runway. They are trendy as sweaters or as dresses and are great layering pieces. Even mock necks are everywhere too. Pair a chunky thick turtleneck dress with over the knee boots or with some skinny jeans and booties.

 

 

Same Shirt, Different Day: A Conversation With Taylor Orsino

Taylor Orsino, from Staten Island, was determined to leave her mark on her school’s homecoming. She decided to make a IMG_0569goal of hers to design the homecoming tee-shirts. Her art career began when her school’s art teacher told her about a class she taught at a private studio, “she handed me fliers for the class, and from there I joined fashion design.” She joined the homecoming committee at her school and began creating designs. She tried several but none caught on. This Viking with a skeleton face (below) was outright rejected by her school. She combined her carnival tent and Viking design (below), and this ultimately ended up being the design that her school picked.  According to Taylor, her shirts were a big hit at her school, “They sold out. I didn’t even get one.”

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Taylor continues to work at her art teacher’s studio teaching fashion design. She started doing inventory in the studio store but was quickly moved to assisting the classes for younger children. She then was able to teach with a partner and soon, on her own. I asked about her career prospects, “I want to go into fashion merchandising.” She is taking FIT’s HMF064 Ins and Outs of Fashion Merchandising, “the main theme of the class is imagery, so looking at what makes brands stand out and what draws people to them.”

-Matt

Congratulations Jessica!

Jessica_Caruso_newlyadmitted_1
CONGRATULATIONS TO JESSICA CARUSO WHO WAS JUST ACCEPTED TO FIT THIS FALL 2015 FOR ADVERTISING AND MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS!

Courses taken in Precollege Programs include:
Fashion Art For Dashion Designers
Fashion Merchandising

Were you accepted to FIT this fall too? We’d love to feature you on the blog as well!

Email: [email protected] for more information