Welcome To The Fitting Room
~ Mission Statement ~
We are a boutique production fit, technical design and consulting agency
whose team has over 30 years of experience in the garment industry.
Our fit division includes women’s (missy, contemporary, petite and plus), men’s and kids. Our models
specialize in both production and proto fittings, as well as print and showroom. We pride ourselves
on training and promoting the most knowledgeable working fit models in the industry.
Our technical design division represents the industry’s finest technical designers,
who are carefully matched to meet a client’s business needs.
Our consultants and specialists division is an ensemble of multi-faceted and talented individuals who
serve an ever-changing industry and can adapt to meet the demands of our extensive list of clients.
We are happy to add our two new exciting divisions along with the addition of Ms Joanne Farina to our staff.
Please contact us and let the relationship begin!
~ Marcy Spanier ~
In 1979, my dreams of Broadway and an apartment in NYC met reality. I found the apartment, with four
roommates, and I found off-off-off-off Broadway! I loved it all but, not wanting to be yet another
unemployed actress waiting tables, I found myself signing a Plus-size modeling contract in
July of 1981 and in 3 months time was fitting coats for JC Penney. So, it began.
Over the years my career has grown to include fitting the best selling plus sized lines in the industry such as;
Eileen Fisher, Ellen Tracy, Bloomingdale’s, Lord & Taylor, Due per Due, HSN and many more. I have had
the pleasure of working with such designers as Charles Nolan, Carmen Marc Valvo, Linda Allard,
Andrea Jovine, Scassi, Christopher Fisher and Tad B. I have consulted on the opening of many
new companies, both large and small and understand the sweat and nurturing involved in
developing new businesses in today’s economy and global reach.
I began my career at Plus Models where I did production fit, print, showroom, runway and commentated fashion shows. I landed two national TV commercials, did numerous lifestyle television shows and was among
the first large sized models to appear in Vogue magazine. After 14 years at Plus Models,
I moved on to Ford where my career continued.
What I saw lacking in our market was a clear vision of truly servicing both the Client and the Fit Model.
That is why I opened the Fitting Room. Superior treatment and understanding your needs is what I
have done for the last 26 years! May it continue for another 26! Join us…
~ Joanne Farina ~
Blame it on Barbie!
Growing up in the 60’s, my passion for fashion began with designing and making clothes for my Barbie doll. That
quickly led to my first career as the premier designer and dressmaker to all the Barbie’s in my neighborhood!
From there it was one quick stop to F.I.T. and a degree in Buying and Merchandising and Patternmaking and
Textile Testing. I have always loved and understood both sides of the business!
After graduation, I began working as a Technical Designer learning my trade by working side by side with patternmakers and designers, buyers and product developers specializing in private label resourcing. My career path has taken me
to some of the finest retailers, manufacturers and catalogue houses in the business; Brylane, JC Penney,
Bloomingdales, AMC, Brooks Brothers, LFUSA, Club Monaco and New York and Company where
I was Director of Technical Design for Knits, Dresses, Intimates, and Activewear.
My experience along the way, as both a freelance Technical Designer and as a Hiring Manager, has enabled me to see the importance of matching the right TD with the right job. What I have seen lacking in the market is a Freelance Technical Design Service that does just that. After all, it is all about the “right fit” in more ways than one!
This is why I have joined the Fitting Room. Marcy and I share a common belief that providing the best service for the
both client and the Technical Designer are not only our goal but also our mission. We are both happy to work
together in finding the “right fit” for you and your company.
The Fitting Room/dba Ariel B Ltd