Under Construction.
Student Researchers
Nelli Ayvazyan – Researcher
Nelli Ayvazyan graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Professions. She has past experience in research, administration, and marketing communications. She has also volunteered in Doctors Without Borders to produce fundraising campaign materials.
Masako Birmingham – Researcher
Masako Birmingham earned a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Professions from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She has worked as a library assistant at Rockland Community College. She has also volunteered and interned at Orangetown Historical Museum, where she assisted in museum curation, research, fundraising, welcoming guests, and blogging. Linkedin.
Yilin Chen – Researcher
Yilin Chen earned a bachelor’s degree in Art and Museum Professions, minoring in Fashion History, Theory, and Culture from FIT with a cum laude honor. Yilin has worked with notable museums such as the Museum of Chinese America and The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, serving as a visitor services associate and a museum facilitator.
Yeji Chon – Researcher
Yeji Chon is a sophomore at Seoul Foreign School in Seoul, South Korea. She is currently trying to discover where her heart lies in the field of arts. Additionally, through this Bamboo Canvas program she is aiming to raise her overall level of experience.
Ann Christensen – Researcher
Ann Christensen is a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology who will be graduating in Spring ’21 with a degree in Art History & Museum Professions and with two minors: Italian Studies and Ethics & Sustainability. She has previously received an Associates of Applied Science in Fine Arts from FIT. Her experience includes Volunteering at the Museum at FIT and cultural researching for MTV. Currently, she works as an Interior Designer for a Digital Startup Company Modsy.
Alyssa Hardy – Researcher
Alyssa Hardy earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and museum professions, as well as an associate’s degree in fashion merchandising from the Fashion Institute of Technology. In addition to working as a researcher for FIT, Alyssa worked for the Hispanic Society of America Museum and Library as a researcher and teacher. She was also a regular contributor to Highlark Magazine. Her eclectic experience highlights her desire to grow as a researcher and make a difference.
Jiahui He – Researcher
Jiahui He is a graduate student from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Her research focuses on visual culture of the Persianate world from late 14th to early 18th century, including the circulations of objects between the Timurid dynasty and Ming China and later between Safavid Iran and the Bijapur sultanate in the Deccan, India. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Art History and Museum Professions from the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, in 2017. Linkedin.
Katherine Hur – Researcher
Katherine Hur is a sophomore at Bayside High School in New York. Her future goal is to take a path in fashion editing. She has experience in volunteering, and her strength is editing. As Bamboo Canvas being her first internship experience, she is looking forward to developing and learning new skills.
Paige Johnston – Researcher
Paige Johnston graduated from FIT in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Professions with a minor in Italian Studies. She has worked with the Museum at FIT as a museum facilitator. Her experience includes volunteering events, editing, and researching.
Amanda Kelly – Researcher
Amanda Kelly graduated the Fashion Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Studies, with a minor in Asian Studies. She has contributed immensely to the students of FIT by working as a curator for the Hall of Art, which shows student work and offers student art events. She has also worked as a resident assistant to ensure the well being of dorm residents.
Lynn Kim – Researcher
Lynn Kim is a senior at Hunter College High School in New York City. She has researched and organized our website’s cultural appropriation section, highlighting the effects of cultural appropriation on society and the arts.
Ester Kwon – Researcher
Ester Kwon holds a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Studies with a minor in Italian Language. She has volunteered at the Center for Urban Pedagogy, and worked with Jeffrey Leder Gallery, the Museum of Chinese in America, and FIT. Her expertise lies in creating program-related marketing and promotional materials, video and audio editing, and website management. She has also helped curate exhibitions and implement public programs and collaborative events with other cultural institutions.
Robin Lynch – Researcher and Website Developer
Robin Lynch graduated from FIT in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Business Management, specializing in product development. Their passions lie in learning about fashion and textile history across cultures, trend forecasting, and sustainable textile innovations, all of which they incorporate in their design research and development processes. Robin works as a research assistant at the Fashion Institute of Technology and as a footwear production coordinator, and occasionally designs footwear and ready to wear. Linkedin.
Riya Vas – Researcher
Riya Vyas will be graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in spring 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. She will also graduate with two minors: Art History and Ethics & Sustainability. She was previously the Treasurer and, later, President of the FIT Interior Design Club. Riya focuses on researching South Asian and Southeast Asian arts and crafts to better represent the vast diversity within Asia.
Yasemin Yeldener – Researcher
Yasemin Yeldener graduated from FIT in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Art History and Museum Professions. She has worked with the Museum at FIT and Thierry Goldberg Gallery. Her experience includes volunteering at fashion culture events, archiving artists and past shows, and creating press releases for upcoming shows.