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Everyone knows that when Holly Golightly has the mean reds, she goes straight to Tiffany’s, but did you know that when Peachy Deegan has the blues, she makes a quick diagonal cross to Bergdorf Goodman! She also goes there when she has the greens, pinks, and yellows to emerge with something of a lavender hue, and now to celebrate the milestone 111th year of Bergdorf Goodman, Harper Collins has commemorated the occasion with a gorgeous compilation of anecdotes by who’s who written by Sara James Mnookin.
You’ll find out how a bevy of well-known personalities recount their most memorable Bergdorf Goodman experiences, and you can be assured that this palace of luxury is perfect for every emotion you may ever experience, and better yet, they know success in business and in life all comes down to a relationship: people are not numbers and they are qualitative. In a world of chain stores where consumerism is rampant and sadly often devoid of quality, Bergdorf Goodman has remained true to its identity and does not compromise quality and is still a single store, and we admire and applaud them for that.
With a title based on a cartoon in the New Yorker in 1990 by Victoria Roberts that holds the popular opinion of like-minded quality seekers, Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman will delight all that encounter it, whether they read one story or all of them. For its current location, did you know that Goodman himself sketched out the building design on a cocktail napkin at the bar at The Plaza hotel? You’ll pick up a lot of fantastic cocktail party conversation here. Early on in the business, Bergdorf was bought out by Goodman and originally, it was located on 32nd street. The present location opened a year before the stock market crash of 1929.
You’ll learn that it’s not only Eloise that has great digs at the top of a legendary building in her neighborhood-you’re going to love the apartment at Bergdorfs, which has since been turned into a salon. We just love the old photographs in this book especially since they are in color which displays the fashion best. The old advertisements from the 1930’s are historic, priceless and educational; they will give you a timeless feel that you are somewhere that lasts and matters.
In our column New Window, we believe no other store has been featured more than Bergdorf Goodman, and certainly they consistently have the best window ideas and executions, especially at Christmas. Hats off to David Hoey and his crew-he’s done 4,000 windows since 1996. We particularly adore page 63: One Thousand Vintage Barbie Outfits. Gothic Splendor on page 151 is striking as well from the dress to the chandelier to the floor…just breathtaking. We’re glad everyone escaped successfully from the smoke machine idea…we applaud their risk taking.
We like what Isaac Mizrahi says about the stillness, the silence and the elegance of Bergdorf Goodman on page 64-65 and we love all that as well. Trevor Traina’s proposal will blow you away and make you wish you were starring as the princess in the tale. You’re not going to believe some of the stories though they are true-read on to see who got 70 fur coats at once. This is New York; you can’t make this stuff up! You’re going to want to see what the mother of Joan Rivers did when the WWII broke out.
We commend the order of this book: you can tell a lot of thought went into the order of these stories. Sometimes you see the same story with more than one viewpoint. We like how it evolves: it has quite a nice flow.
It’s nice to know that the Goodman family still owns the building, right down to the chandelier though the company is part of Neiman Marcus (…actually did you know that when Peachy Deegan was a senior at Boston College she interviewed to be a NM buyer and made it to the final round of interviews and was turned down because she never worked in a retail environment, and still never has-but she DID shop!!! So Peachy went to Wall Street. And shopped some more.)
You know Heaven has got to be like
so scatter away!
Whom You Know Highly Recommends Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman!
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SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF GOODMAN
Sara James Mnookin
Foreword by Holly Brubach
An irresistible illustrated companion to the fashion documentary,
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s,
Celebrating the world-renowned
luxury specialty store’s 111th anniversary.
There’s nowhere in the world like Bergdorf Goodman. A New York institution and fashion Mecca, it’s where Grace Kelly ordered her wedding invitations; where Jacqueline Kennedy was outfitted for her dress for John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Ball; where designers Halston and Michael Kors got their start.Bergdorf Goodman captures the imagination, inspires fantasy, and plays a central role in the history of New York society. Its inner realm is revealed in this illustrated book, an exclusive companion to the fashion documentary, Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s (Harper Design | On Sale: August 28, 2012 | $35.00).
An anthology of personal recollections, the book features anecdotes and stories about Bergdorf Goodman by notable fashion designers, celebrities, writers and employees. From Candice Bergen to Carol Burnett, Christian Louboutin to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Linda Fargo to Rachel Zoe, they all relate tales ranging from the fabulous to the humorous to the touching. Their stories paint an entertaining portrait that will delight lovers of fashion and New York’s social life.
The book presents elegant original Balmain, Chanel, and Lanvin sketches for Bergdorf Goodman; art and photography from major advertising campaigns throughout the store’s history; vintage photographs of the store; candid shots of celebrity clients; and images of the world-renowned window displays.
The book and documentary film launch in September, 2012, the beginning of a season of anniversary celebrations including dynamic window displays, exclusive merchandise collections, and a star-studded gala.
From the fur salesman’s anecdote about going to John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Dakota apartment and selling them seventy fur coats in one fell swoop to Vera Wang’s memories of shopping at the store as a girl, this is a wonderful, stylish history of New York.
Who’s telling their stories about BG?
Victoria Beckham
Candice Bergen
Edward Bess
Kate Betts
ManoloBlahnik
Bobbi Brown
Carol Burnett
Tory Burch
Olivia Chantecaille
Pat Cleveland
Oscar de la Renta
AlberElbaz
Wendy Goodman
Carolina Herrera
Naeem Khan
Harold Koda
Michael Kors
William Ivey Long
Christian Louboutin
Susan Lucci
Patrick McMullan
Isaac Mizrahi
Glenn O’Brien
Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen
Candy Pratts Price
Joan Rivers
Narciso Rodriguez
Tabitha Simmons
ThakoonPanichgul
Robert Verdi
Vera Wang
Kelly Wearstler
Jason Wu
Rachel Zoe
And many others
About Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman, founded by master tailors Edwin Goodman and Herman Bergdorf, is located on the corner of New York’s Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, the former site of the Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion. This fall, Bergdorf Goodman celebrates its 111th Anniversary with a documentary film, a book, and events that engage New York in a dynamic way.
It’s a celebration of an icon and the city that makes it so unique. There’s only one Bergdorf Goodman: The pinnacle of style, service, and inspiration, since 1901.
About the Author
Sara James Mnookin is a writer, editor, and author whose work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, Departures, InStyle, Real Simple, Country Living, and Harper’s Bazaar. She has served as fashion news editor for Men’s Vogue, media editor for Women’s Wear Daily, and special projects producer for Charlie Rose on PBS. From 2006 to 2009, Random House published eight of her books in a split narrative young adult series called What If..., co-authored with Liz Ruckdeschel. She and her family currently live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman
by Sara James Mnookin
Harper Design
On Sale: August 28, 2012
Hardcover| 240 pp | $35.00ISBN: 9780062191083
Bergdorf Goodman Celebrates
111 Years Of Extraordinary
Premier Fifth Avenue Luxury Specialty Store Launches
Anniversary Season in September 2012
New York, NY April 13, 2012 -- One store, one city, one experience. This fall, Bergdorf Goodman celebrates its 111th anniversary with a series of exciting projects, including a documentary film and a book, that will draw out the magic of an institution that has seduced for more than a century.
This is the first time Bergdorf Goodman has marked its birthday since 1951, and it’s going to be a festive season. Look forward to a storewide celebration including windows with archival imagery from the store’s history, an exclusive merchandise collection and special events.
“Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf’s,” a documentary film directed by Matthew Miele, will debut at the Paris Theater. It takes the audience behind the scenes into the inner sanctum of the world’s most sophisticated store. A venerable list of fashion royalty, New Yorkers, and personalities will speak of the magic, myths and mysteries of a retailer at the apex of luxury. Karl Lagerfeld, Joan Rivers, Michael Kors, and many others, share their personal, often amusing, stories about Bergdorf Goodman.
The book, “Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorf Goodman” (Harper Design), written by fashion veteran Sara James Mnookin with an introduction by Holly Brubach, is an anthology of personal recollections from notable designers, celebrities, clients and employees. You’ll hear from Candice Bergen to Carol Burnett, Manolo Blahnik and Alber Elbaz to Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Linda Fargo to Rachel Zoe. The book includes original sketches created by Bergdorf Goodman of the work of designers including Balmain, Chanel, and Lanvin; art and photography from major advertising campaigns throughout the store’s history; vintage photographs of the store; and images of the world-renowned window displays.
In addition, more than 100 designers created items for an exclusive anniversary collection including ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, handbags, decorative home items and a fragrance. Highlights include a one-of-a-kind Alexander McQueen ruched velvet dress, Christian Louboutin pyramid-studded platforms, evening looks from Oscar de la Renta and Akris, and an exclusive eau de parfum called “754” from Maison Francis Kurkdjian.
Bergdorf Goodman is a longtime resident at one of the greatest intersections in the world and this anniversary will engage New York City in a dynamic way: The season of celebrations kicks off on September 6 with a store-wide 111th birthday party during the fourth annual Fashion’s Night Out event, which is open to customers and the public alike. Designers will be on hand signing copies of the “Scatter My Ashes…” book and celebrating the debut of the exclusive anniversary collection. Throughout the month of September, the store’s commemorative window displays will offer passersby an intimate look at highlights of the store’s history.
Across town and across media, this is a celebration of an international fashion icon and the city that makes it so unique.
About Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman, founded by master tailors Edwin Goodman and Herman Bergdorf, is located on the corner of New York’s Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, the former site of the Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion. There is only one Bergdorf Goodman in the world: The pinnacle of style, service, and inspiration, since 1901.
