From assistant to the doorman at Bonwit Teller to CEO of Bergdorf Goodman, Ira Neimark crossed Fifth Avenue unlike anyone else. Christmas 1938, when he began working at Bonwit Teller on 56th Street and Fifth Avenue, he had just turned 17. Mary Martin, the toast of Broadway, sang at Bonwit's exclusive 721 Club Christmas cocktail party where young Ira, in a snug bellhop uniform, greeted the rich and famous. Four decades later, as the new CEO of Bergdorf Goodman, he transformed the iconic Fifth Avenue department store from an old, dull, expensive and intimidating store, into a young, exciting expensive and intimidating store that became first in luxury and glamour. Among his stunning achievements: the reintroduction of Paris couture in the United States, dramatic showcasing of the great Italian and French designers, developing the best new American designers and elaborate promotional launch events featuring haute couture that lit the spark for Bergdorf s revival. Crossing Fifth Avenue To Bergdorf Goodman captures the magic of the fashion business at its most exciting moments. It is replete with intriguing, personal anecdotes about the world s most famous fashion personalities. Also included are insightful sections on Lessons Learned (in each chapter) covering the highlights of Ira Neimark s legendary success and featuring his words of wisdom on a variety of challenges. Only Ira Neimark could tell these stories and articulate the business lessons that made him the last man standing among the greats of fashion retailing lessons that continue to compel major multi-national companies to seek his counsel.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
Ira Neimark set the standard for a chief executive in retailing. He turned Bergdorf Goodman into a leading fashion store in the U.S. abd how he did it is a must read for any one interested in fashion. --Calvin Klein
About the Author
Ira Neimark is a legendary retail executive whose career spans several decades. As Chairman and CEO of Bergdorf Goodman he set records for the company over the 17 years of his masterful leadership. He also distinguished himself in top management/ merchandising posts at the Neiman Marcus Group, B. Altman, Fox, Gladdings and Bonwit Teller. Ira is a Director of both The Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation and Hermes of Paris and was Adjunct Professor of Retail Marketing at the Columbia University Business School. The governments of Italy and France awarded him the prestigious Cavaliere Della Republica and the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters, respectively, as well as the Medal of the City of Paris
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best retail read written so far!,
By
This review is from: Crossing Fifth Avenue To Bergdorf Goodman: An Insider's Account on The Rise Of Luxury Retail (Hardcover)
I have read Ira Neimarks book twice. First for enjoyment and the for forsight!
Mr Neimark talks about how retail is constantly evolving and if you do not stay one step ahead, no matter what position you hold you can fall two steps behind. He gives first hand accounts of meetings with the leaders of the industry and how they helped shape the important role that retail plays in our country's economic development. A strong and knowledgeable businessman who will take any company that he works for to the top along with anyone who wants to join him, he shows the reader that retail is fun, exciting and a tough business to be in, but with commitment and quality to excellence one can achieve their goals. This is a must read for all associates at all levels in the retail field and for all professors in a retail curriculum.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The read and the dream,
By Babe Hope (Maryland) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Crossing Fifth Avenue To Bergdorf Goodman: An Insider's Account on The Rise Of Luxury Retail (Hardcover)
I loved CROSSING FIFTH AVENUE TO BERGDORF GOODMAN! Thank you for allowing me to be privy to the principals and the principles of a beloved era of luxury, grace and growth. As I read the account, I was struck with what I thought was a rhetorical question: "Does time make the man or does man make the time?" In Mr. Neimark's case, I believe, he made the time. His story echoes the American dream which in turn, created the America we love. So, for the read and the dream, Thank you!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Merchant Prince,
By cook (Bosque, Texas) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Crossing Fifth Avenue To Bergdorf Goodman: An Insider's Account on The Rise Of Luxury Retail (Hardcover)
Here is another person with personal integrity who brought about a great department store. Ira Neimark along with Stanley Marcus and others had it 'all together'. An interesting read for anyone. A life well lived from bell boy to merchant, one of the great stories of the 20th century.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
