F.I.T. was my dream school since I was ten years old. I was told that it was the best school for learning all aspects in the fashion industry.

Why FIT? I participated in DECA in High School, and worked in retail as well. I felt that I would love to be a Fashion Buyer, and I knew someone who had attended.

Why FIT? When I was gearing up to graduate from community college in the Hudson Valley, I only applied to FIT. My then-professors and parents were alarmed.

Why FIT? I knew from the time I was 13 that I wanted to be a Buyer and had heard about the summer high school program at FIT. After attending the summer of 1997, I knew I wanted to attend FIT for college.

Why FIT?

It was my dream to live in NYC and work in the fashion industry…..

Why FIT? From the moment my ears heard the words “Fashion Institute of Technology”, I was stopped in my tracks. I knew in my heart FIT would become my home.

Why FIT? Because FIT teaches real, hands-on skills along with the nurturing of creative ideas. And I wanted to be in NYC!

You were in the second graduating class at FIT!

Why FIT?

Once I decided to go for Fashion Illustration and Advertising there was no other place I would want to be!

Why FIT? FIT’s Interior Design Program was the best in NYC.

Year graduated? 1998

Major? Home Products

Your sister played a large role in your FIT career, please explain.

When I graduated from high school, I had a Regents scholarship and I chose this state school that was furthest away from Long Island as I could get.

Earlier this month you were awarded Cos Frag Leadership Award, congratulations! What does that mean to you? It is a great honor to receive such an award.

Why FIT?

My father is an international artist. I spent my summers as a child in NYC attending his shows. My grandfather attended NYU so NYC was always a major part of my life.

Why FIT?

FIT is a world renowned and respected institute around the world. Its the gateway to the fashion industry coming out of high school. I knew FIT was the right choice because they offered design and business degrees.

I am from the Basque Country, a small region between France and Spain.

FIT alumn Robin Rotenier passed on May 20, 2014. He will stay forever in our hearts.

Support your fellow alumn who is on the cast of NBC's Fashion Star's Season 2 which premieres Friday March 8th.

Back in the mid-1980s, when I went to F.I.T., there was a guy in the menswear department who stood out from the crowd. It was John Bartlett.

Enrico Casarosa (Illustration '97), story artist at Pixar Animation Studios and Director of La Luna, was nominated for an Oscar in the Short Film Animated category.

The New York Times recently featured FIT alumna Jacalyn Bennett, CEO of Bennett & Company, who discusses everything from her upbringing and studies at FIT to Eastern philosophy and her lingerie company.