Children’s Institute of Fashion Arts

The Children’s Institute of Fashion Arts is a New York City non-profit arts education organization founded in 2017.  We teach in-school and afterschool programs in New York City.  We also run occasional special programs such as the Fashion Arts Workshop and the Circle City Upcycle Club.

The Children’s Institute of Fashion Arts is a non-profit charitable cultural organization devoted to the expansive education in the culture and craft of clothing.

Our broad mission is to foster children’s authentic selves through creative inquiry, and to inspire children to be industrious, persistent problem-solvers. We create exhilarating, educational experiences that show the connections between clothing, fashion, design, art, science, history, cultural studies, sociology, social psychology, human development, technology, and the natural environment.

We serve children and families by providing immersive, interdisciplinary, hands-on, creative education and exhibitions that enliven and inspire people of all ages to think, understand, and innovate.

We Believe

• sewing is knowing

• children make the future

• kids are capable, intelligent and creative

• in creative building stamina and persistence

• in holistic, interdisciplinary connections

• in authenticity 

• in self-actualization

• in glamour and grit

• a childhood of creative production leads to a creatively-lived life

• confidence is earned, not given

• context matters

• perfection isn’t the goal, practice is.

• skills pay the bills

• math is loveable