When Treasure Seeker Colleen and I visited New York last October, we watched the documentary "Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's", about the wonderful New York department store Bergdorf Goodman. Personal style consultant Betty Halbreich was interviewed in the movie and we thoroughly enjoyed her humor and story. We decided to visit Bergdorfs together and Treasure Seeker Colleen was fortunate enough to meet the fabulous Betty on duty at Bergdorf Goodman's Solutions. It was the highlight of our New York adventure. Betty greeted Colleen with warmth and kindly signed our copy of her latest book "I'll drink to that". Colleen read it first and I have just finished it and would highly recommend it!About Betty
Betty created the high end personal shopping experience at Bergdorf's over 30 years ago and continues to style and work at Solutions today. She has worked with high profile clients including Joan Rivers and Candice Bergen while she was working on the set of Sex and the City. (Image left via Vanity Fair)
Fashion Learnings
I thoroughly enjoyed Betty's descriptions of clothing in this book from the clothes she wore growing up in Chicago to her searches for outfits for her clients in Berdorf's in New York. It was also interesting reading about how designers and clothes have changed over the years. Sometimes I think I am imagining that clothes don't fit the same way they used to. In the past, high end fashion designers created garments with hems and side seams that could be let out and adjusted. One of the most common things Betty sees today is the sleeves of dresses are inadequately cut for those with fuller arms. For those reading, when clothes don't fit, it's not you. It's the designer! Clothes are getting smaller and stores continue to carry a smaller array of sizes.
Betty's Honesty with her Clients: An excerpt
In my little corner of the store, I'm direct and truthful- two words not normally associated with the world of retail. I don't flatter or make nice-nice. There are many ways of selling, one being to repeat incessantly, like a trained parrot, "You look beautiful," even if it isn't true. I would rather have scrubbed the store's floors.
I became known for not having pulled up a zipper or buttoned a shirt before uttering, "Take it off. It's dreadful." My old friend Charlotte had only one arm in a dress when I ordered her to remove it at once.
"But, Betty, I haven't even put it on."
"It's terrible. I can tell in a heartbeat."
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Betty's story. I hope you read it too!
A toast to you, Betty Halbreich!
Image via the New Yorker
Betty's signing
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