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US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.60 · item · 2010 March 31
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Linda Morand interviews model Chris Royer, where Royer shares her career growth, past experiences, favorite campaigns, work with Halston, model relationships, and general modeling memories. Royer even gives out some of her beauty secrets and provides advice for young aspiring models.

Royer, Chris
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.48 · item · 2011 June 21
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Gonet reflects on his career as an agent working for top modeling agencies in New York during the late 1970s and 1980s. In the second half of the interview, Gonet shares his experiences as the owner and president of his former male modeling agency, Nytro Models. Gonet begins the interview by covering his arrival in New York in 1978 subsequently discussing breaking into the industry with his first job as an agent for Wilhelmina Models. Gonet reflects on his experiences working under the supervision of agency founder, Wilhelmina Cooper, recounting learning experiences which helped him to become a better agent. Gonet moves on to discuss moving to Elite Model Management, working with agency founder John Casablancas, and managing the agency's male model division. Gonet moves on to discuss opening his own male modeling agency, and for the remainder of the interview, Gonet reflects on changes and developments he has experienced working within the industry for over 20 years.

Gonet, Jan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.41 · item · 2010 September 14
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In this interview, Meehan reflects on her career as a booking agent for Ford Models between 1977 and 1983. Topics covered include Meehan’s life and background prior to working for the agency, her role and responsibilities as a booker, her friendships with many prominent models and fashion photographers, and her relationship with Eileen and Jerry Ford.

Meehan, Jane
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.34 · item · 2010 July 22
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Patty Sinclair, director of archives at the Ford Model Agency, and Professor Karen Trivette of the Fashion Institute of Technology, join together to interview model Beverly Johnson. Beverly shares her life growing up and how she was introduced to modeling. She discusses the feeling of seeing her face on a cover, and provides insight into the modeling life she experienced.

Johnson, Beverly
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.17 · item · 2010 May 18
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In this interview Brainard reflects on her career as a model working first in the United States, and then Europe during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Brainard begins the interview by discussing how she was discovered during her junior year of university, and how this led to occasional commercial work modeling sportswear. Brainard discusses how after college, she first worked as a photographer’s assistant for the photographer John Cochran before beginning her career as a professional model with the Ford Model agency. Brainard reflects on the year and a half she spent modeling in New York, commenting on working conditions for models at that time, and mentioning some of her favorite campaigns for Rheingold beer and the clothing company, Peck and Peck. Brainard then goes on to discuss moving to Europe, and the rest of the interview mostly focuses on her experiences modeling in Europe. Throughout the interview, Brainard provides commentary on the differences between working as a model in New York versus working as a model in Europe during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Present throughout the interview, but not shown on screen, is Brainard’s longtime friend and fellow Ford model, Linda Morand.

Brainard, Susan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.25 · item · 2011 June 24
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In this interview, Davies reflects on her career working as a professional model from 1946 to 1967. Topics covered include Davies’s life and background prior to modeling, her experiences working as model in New York in the late 1940s prior to the establishment of a standardized and regulated modeling industry, working with photographer Howell Conant, signing with Ford Models, and working with founder Eileen Ford. Davies interview gives testimony to what it was like to be working during this period. Prior to standardization within the modeling industry models were expected to set their own wages and collect their own fees. Additionally, models would only be paid after agencies had been paid by their clients; a process which could often take months to years before a model could collect their earnings.

Davies-Knopf, Lorraine
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.23 · item · 2010 July 17
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Dakin begins the interview by briefly recounting his experiences as a teen model. Dakin explains that it was his early exposure to the modeling industry which made him realize he wanted to be an agent. Dakin mentions that he has now been in the industry for twenty years, and with Ford Models for the last twelve. After briefly commenting on his connection to the Ford family, Dakin goes on to describe his views on the roles and responsibilities of an agent, as well as some of his personal highlights from working in the industry. A central theme of Dakin’s interview is the subject of plus sized models working in the industry, and a need from within the industry to cease labeling models as plus sized. Dakin argues for greater inclusion of plus sized models in mainstream fashion, and cites many examples of working models that have had success despite being labeled plus size. Dakin frequently mentions the model Crystal Renn, his client at the time, as one such model who has enjoyed success as a plus size model.

Dakin, Gary
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.13 · item · 2010 April 8
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Karen Trivette interviews model Karen Bjornson for the Ford Model oral histories series. The interview explores Bjornson’s start in modeling, her interaction with Wilhelmina right out of high school, and even shares her personal romantic life. Bjornson discusses her most memorable modeling experiences and what it was like to work with designers such as Halston and Ralph Rucci.

Bjornson, Karen
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.5 · item · 2010 July 27
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Glenda Bailey, former Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar, is interviewed by Karen Trivette in correspondence with the oral history series on the history of the fashion and beauty industries. Bailey shares how her education decisions prepared her for her career, and how it blossomed into a job she loves. She explains the skills it takes to become an Editor-in-Chief, her visions for Harper's Bazaar long-term future, her passion for fashion, and more.

Bailey, Glenda
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.12 · item · 2011 June 21
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In this interview, Berr discusses her early ambitions of becoming a model, becoming a model at age 15, and working as a professional model in New York and Paris. Berr's career ranges from roughly 1963 through 1975, and in this interview, Berr speaks to the working conditions she faced in a time when models were expected to do most of the work to prepare themselves for a photoshoot. Berr reflects on her high and low moments as a model and talks about the self-motivated determination she believes a model should have to make it in the industry.

Berr, Susan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.9 · item · 2011 June 21
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In this interview, Bauer discusses his career as a male model, working first in Europe and then the United States from roughly 1968 through the early 1990s. Bauer discusses his professional and personal relationships with modeling industry insiders Jerry Ford, Joey Hunter, Nina Blanchard, and actress Barbara Stanwyck.

Bauer, Bruce
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.11 · item · 2010
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The booker profile interviews in the Ford oral history series were recorded in New York. Each subject was interviewed separately:

Nicola Isaacs discusses her role as an agent for plus size models, the qualities and physical attributes that she looks for in potential models, the status and impact of plus size models on the overall industry and what working as a plus size model is like. This interview lacks a formal introduction and it appears that the camera starts rolling after the interview had already begun.

In her interview, Latoya Scott clearly articulates the roles and responsibilities of being a fit model, a model that is used for sizing and fitting garments before they are put into production. Scott discusses the qualities and requirements necessary for working as a fit model, and in the second half of the interview, she uses live models to demonstrate how to take proper measurements for potential models.

Davita Williams discusses the lifestyle division of Ford Models , how the division differs from others within the agency, the kinds of clients and types of bookings covered by the division, and the standards and requirements for modeling within the division. Williams explains that the lifestyle division deals mostly with commercial print advertising for beauty, hair, and most major commercial consumer products and brands. The division works with both male and female models of all ages and many models have long careers working within lifestyle.

he interview begins with Jessica Rosenberg explaining the foundation and function of the FM-2 division, a subsection of the main men’s division at Ford Models. Rosenberg explains that because the men’s division focuses on high fashion and major campaigns, FM-2 was founded to focus specifically on commercial catalogues and mainstream advertising. Rosenberg goes on to discuss the skills and physical qualities she seeks for models within the division, outlining ideal measurements and proportions for FM-2 models.

Christie Belfiore discusses how the children’s and teen division differs from other divisions within the agency, the age ranges covered within the division, the types of jobs booked by models in the division, what she looks for in potential models, and dealing with the parents of her models. Belfiore addresses topics such as salaries earned by child and teen models, the types of cilents that the division works with, and how her division works with and interacts with the rest of the agency as a whole.

Isaacs, Nicola
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.5.1 · item · 2011 June 20
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Conducted in 2011, the interview covers Adams's entry in modeling, her early career working as a professional model while still in high school, modeling throughout Europe and Scandinavia, meeting Eileen and Jerry Ford and becoming a Ford model, her experiences working as a model in the late 1960s and 1970s, and her transition into acting. Throughout the interview, Adams reflects on her experiences working closely with Eileen Ford , and expresses gratitude for the lessons Ford instilled in Adams. Adams mentions working with Ford senior Vice President, Sue Charney, and booking agent, Rusty Donovan Zeddis, as well as shooting with photographers, Helmut Newton, and Neal Barr. Halfway through the interview, Adams is joined by her friend, Carl Richards, who joins in Adams's interview before being interviewed separately by Sicular. Carl Richards spontaneously joins this interview part way in.

Adams, Maud
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.10 · item · 1986 January 16
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This conversation is with Lee Traub, wife of influential Bloomingdale's executive Marvin S. Traub. In this interview, Lee Traub talks about Marvin Traub as a father, a husband, a business man, and a diplomat. She briefly talks about their meeting in 1947 and marriage in 1948 and praises Marvin for being tremendously calm both at home and in work. Lee credits Marvin for possesing a natural confidence that affected the way he was able to work with people and try new things. As the wife of a top executive, Lee provides some personal insight into the Bloomingdale's work environment of the 1960s and early 1970s, recalling a time when the department store was closed on Saturdays. Lee describes Marvin as a gentleman who has made friends with important people all over the world and who operates with a large sense of morality. Lee and Marvin were known as a strong pair and Lee went along with Marvin on several of his international trips. Lee describes her experiences with Marvin in India and France, again pointing to her husband's diplomacy. Finally, Lee attests to Marvin's renowned energy, both physical and mental. In regards to his determination, Lee recounts the story of Marvin being wounded in WWII and how he overcame his debilitating injury.

Traub, Lee
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.9 · item · 1986 November
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This conversation has three main components: first, Tomchin discusses his work in the home furnishings department, consolidating the department into one cohesive collection under the guidance of a fashion director, similar to the structure of the clothing departments. This allowed the department to present more fully developed design ideas to the customer, encouraging the customer to work as her own decorator, just as the fashion departments allowed her to be her own stylist. Next, Tomchin speaks at length about Bloomingdale's emphasis on exclusivity of product, whether through the development of Bloomingdale's own signature products, through the introduction of new international products through the country promotions, or through the collaborative efforts between Bloomingdale's and manufacturers to create products that would be of special interest to the Bloomingdale's customer. This convseration focuses heavily on the importance of the educated buyer in understanding other cultures and being able to translate the excitement of products to the customer. Finally, Tomchin speaks to the major contributions and milestones of Bloomingdale's CEO Marvin S. Traub, who opened 5 new Bloomingdale's stores during the first 8 years of Tomchin's tenure with the department store. Traub is described as having a parental sense of care and interest in the store and as having a level of respect for the customer that translated into thoughtful selection and exhibition of products.

Tomchin, Julian
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.11 · item · 1987 January 16
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In this conversation, Marvin S. Traub talks about his start at Bloomingdale's, and details his first seven positions at the company. He describes the Bloomingdale's customer as being someone who is interested in change and forward fashion, someone who "likes different things at different times" and who expects Bloomingdale's to alert them to the newest trends. Traub expresses his pride at helping to develop the careers of some of the industry's influential designers and executives and credits Bloomingdale's success to its team of talented and respectful employees. Traub talks about the role his wife has played in his life and he discusses his three children and their endeavors. In discussing some of the major changes at Bloomingdale's during Traub's tenure, there is mention of the Country Promotions, the branded shopping bags, the in-house boutiques, and Bloomingdale's role as a cultural center within a community. Traub referes to several different people as role models and peers, including Jed Davidson, Martha Graham, Bill Blass, and his wife, Lee.

Traub, Marvin
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.12 · item · 1987 January 16
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As Bloomingdale's VP of Executive Recruitment and Development at the time of this interview, Margaret Hofbeck describes the department store's lengthy training program and how it affects the staffing at higher levels. Hofbeck details the steps that a new hire must take to grow in merchandising and she credits the immediate hands-on training to be what sets Bloomingdale's apart from other stores, in regards to training. Hofbeck talks about her earlier work in advertising and how she was hired at Bloomingdale's to work in labor relations, a position that was created exclusively for her. In regards to Bloomingdale's CEO Marvin S. Traub, Hofbeck credits him as being a pace setter and trend setter. Through Bloomingdale's, Traub has created an entire lifestyle that attracts both customers as well as strong merchandisers. As the one who oversees the recruitment, hiring, and training of all of Bloomingdale's employees, Hofbeck speaks from experience when she describes Traub's ideal employee to be a strong, creative entrepreneur with excellent taste as well as business sense. Hofbeck speaks to the vital balance between the creative side and the business side of Bloomingdale's and argues that the industry, at the time of the interview, needed people with a stronger business sense. This interview was conducted by Estelle Ellis, founder of Business, Inc., a business market research firm.

Hofbeck, Margaret
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.14 · item · 1987 January 16
Part of Academic Affairs records

In this interview, Stravitz focuses mostly on the challenges and successes he has faced in trying to expand the Bloomingdale's model into other markets. In doing this, he covers the importance of paying attention to each market's regional needs as well as ways in which marketing can be tailored to suit a particular market, culturally. At the same time, Stravitz explores what the New York store represents and how that can be carried through in other markets. A larger discussion of the crossover between department stores and specialty stores looks at what makes Bloomingdale's especially strong in both categories. As an example, Stravitz talks about the two "Bloomie's Express" specialty shops which Bloomingdale's had launched at JFK airport a few months before this interview. Stravitz describes the Bloomingdale's customer, across all markets, to be sophisticated, well-traveled, fashionable, and possibly affluent. In discussing his direct boss, Bloomingdale's CEO Marvin S. Traub, Stravitz describes him as deeply caring about the people he works with. He argues that Traub's personal concern for the business as well as the people connected to it result in high expectations as well as a supportive work environment. Traub's encouragement to try new things and his willingness to take the risk and support these ventures, Stravitz suggests, are what make Bloomingdale's an especially creative and entrepreneurial place.

Stravitz, Russell
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.4 · item · 1986 November 19
Part of Academic Affairs records

This conversation covers very little of Lester Gribetz' life and career at Bloomingdale's. There is a brief intro in which Gribetz lays out his professional trajectory from trainee under Martin S. Traub to his role in merchandising. Like most of Traub's employees at Bloomingdale's, Gribetz praises Traub as a boss and as a person. He describes him as exciting, challenging, enlightened, and demanding. Gribetz attributes Traub's high standards to keeping workers excited and motivated. Traub is described as charitable in a number of the Bloomingdale's interviews but Gribetz shares a specific story of Traub organizing a massive fundraising effort for AIDS research after one of his buyers passed away from the disease. In describing the retail environment, Gribetz explains that a retail career is demanding and varied, and the hard work has discouraged many where others have thrived. Prompted several times to define Bloomingdale's milestones, Gribetz first discusses the team before Martin S. Traub's era and then the transitions and departmental changes that marked a real turning point with Traub. Bloomingdale's food business is discussed as a distinction among other retailers as well as the elaborate country promotions which were at their peak success at the time of this interview. The Bloomingdale's customer is described as being educated, affluent, adventuresome, and inventive. While Gribetz describes these qualities as being somewhat inherent in New Yorkers, he goes on to say that these ideas are present in customers in all regions and that Bloomingdale's still appeals to the mass market because it grants these qualities upon the customer.

Gribetz, Lester
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.5 · item · 1986 December 16
Part of Academic Affairs records

Carl Levine describes his early years in the home furnishings business working for his small family business before talking about his start at Bloomingdale's. The Sr. VP of Home Furnishings at the time of this interview, Levine traces the major developments of the Home Furnishings department at Bloomingdale's throughout his 30 years at the department store. Describing the department as "having trouble" when he arrived in 1955, Levine speaks at length about Bloomingdale's decision to manufacture exclusive product overseas with a special attention towards accurate period reproductions. He then talks about working with Barbara D'arcy, the creator of Bloomingdale's innovative model rooms in the 1960s. Levine, who studied furniture and crafts and design at Syracuse University as well as the NY School of Interior Design, addresses the role of education in grooming a successful executive, especially in regards to understanding the history of fashion and design. In talking about Bloomingdale's CEO Marvin S. Traub, Levine describes his strong family life, his essential role as a diplomat in the creation of the country promotions, and his tireless determination and sense of humor. Finally, Levine addresses the concept of the "Bloomingdale's customer", taking into account the increasing number of Bloomingdale's stores across various regions.

Levine, Carl
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.6 · item · 1987 November16
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In this interview, Alan Reyburn talks about restuaranteuring in the context of the retail world. Reyburn ran all food operations at Bloomingdale's during the 1980s, including staff restuarants. After briefly describing his past hospitality job working for a cruise line, Reyburn explains that New York City is a restaurant city and the Bloomingdale's client is someone who considers food and dining to be part of the fashionable lifestyle. Reyburn attributes Bloomingdale's Marvin S. Traub for having the total vision that included food operations as part of the Department Store's success. Most notable among Reyburn's projects while at Bloomingdale's was Le Train Bleu, a rooftop restuarant designed to look like the luxury train used by travelers going between Paris and the Mediterranean. Reyburn shares a number of anecdotes about the inception, operation, and overall concept of Le Train Bleu. As Bloomingdale's was one of the few department stores to have its own restuarant at the time, Reyburn explains the challenges specific to running a restaurant within a retail environment. In regards to service, Reyburn believed that good service in the restaurant was even more important to the Bloomingdale's client than good service on the sales floor. Having traveled with Traub for business, Reyburn describes the Bloomingdale's CEO as being indefatigable, an adventurous eater, and keenly aware of his surroundings. He also describes Traub as having more vision than most retailers, seeing a broader picture and having a shorter temper.

Reyburn, Alan
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.7 · item · 1986 November 21
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This conversation takes place only a few weeks after Schaefer had joined Bloomingdale's as the Vice President of Marketing. Schaefer gives a quick recap of the previous 13 years of his career before talking about his thoughts on his new boss, Marvin S. Traub, as well as his new position at Bloomingdale's. Coming from first a marketing background and then, briefly, a retail background, Schaefer discusses the importance of retailers being fully aware of what people are reading, wearing, listening to, and even eating. This awareness is a qaulity of Traub's that Schaefer praises and which he attributes, in part, to making Bloomingdale's stand out in the retail industry. Schaefer also talks about Bloomingdale's distinguising itself by being a place of diversion, entertainment, and fun as opposed to being simply a mode of distribution. When discussing his job interview for Bloomingdale's, Schaefer recalls being impressed by the amount of thought and planning that evidently went into the future of the store and uses the country promotions as an example.

Schaefer, Terron
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.8 · item · 1987 January 16
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This interview covers broad subjects including women in the retail industry, family work balance, and the evolving role of the department store. The majority of the conversation concerns Bloomingdale's CEO at the time, Marvin S. Traub, with whom Barbara Bass worked closely. Bass talk about Traub's strong relationship with his wife, his high energy, his excellent listening skills, and his long-range style of thinking. Bass describes Traub as being pragmatic, and credits this as the reason why women and men are given equal opportunities in Bloomingdale's. Bass doesn't provide much information about her own job, only to describe her role as that of a "liason between the store line and the merchandising organizations." Though this was a time when there was speculation about the future downfall of department stores, Bass is positive in her statement that department stores will remain relavant as long as they continue to evolve with the customer. While Bass observes trends at this time to be less fast and severe than in the past, she does talk about Bloomingdale's as the birth place and death place of new trends. She then describes Bloomingdale's customer to be upscale, educated, "young-thinking", and traditionally dressed.

Bass, Barbara
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.1 · item · 1986 November 5
Part of Academic Affairs records

This interview takes place at a time when Bloomingdale's President Marvin S. Traub was being awarded the "Person Who Makes the Difference" award from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Gordon Cooke discusses the various ways in which Traub's style of leadership and business has made a difference in Bloomingdale's success not just as a department store but as an innovator in the world of promotions and business relations. Cooke uses Bloomingdale's country promotions as examples of Traub's creativity and insight regarding promotions. Cooke discusses the team-syle development of ideas, describing the equal value placed on promotions, design, sales, etc. as being instrumental in the creative development of Bloomingdale's. Cooke credits Bloomingale's with opening up trade with various countries before even the U.S. government had fully developed trade with these countries. Finally, Cooke talks about Traub's collaboration with both established and cutting-edge artists in advertisements and promotions.

Cooke, Gordon
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.3 · item · 1987 January 16
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This interview first discusses Dennis Garro's work experience leading up to his move from Macy's to Bloomingdale's in 1986. Garro briefly presents some of the main cultural differences between Macy's and Bloomingdale's as being inherenet within the California culture of Macy's and the New York City culture of Bloomingdale's. Garro shies from comparing Phil Schann (head of Macy's at the time) and Marvin S. Traub (head of Bloomingdale's at the time) other than to say that they were similar leaders. Garro describes Traub and Schann as being the type of leaders who challenge subordinates to continually look for new ways to make a better store. Traub is presented as having a drive to succeed at all things and he says that this is the same way he approaches his work. Garro discusses the Bloomingdale's business style as being merchandise driven as compared to consumer driven, though he does not consider the two as being so different. A discussion of fashion as being about different lifestyles leads to a discussion on Ralph Lauren's designs being fashionable yet traditional. As this was a period when the baby boomer generation was coming into its professional peak, Garro addresses the laid-back business approach of others in his generation, explaining that he as well as his peers are perhaps exceptions. As Senior VP and General Manager of the Men's, Boy's, and Children's divisions at Bloomingdale's, Garro offers insight into the challenges each department faces. He also predicts huge growth in the infant/ toddler division. Finally, Garro addresses the importance of assigning the right person to the right job and this leads to an exploration on the recruiting and staffing at Bloomingdale's. He describes the ideal recruit as someone who is driven, independent, and quick to respond. Garro states that a "thirst for a cultural background is more important than the actual cultural background."

Garro, Dennis
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.2 · item · 1986 November 5
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This interview discusses Barbara D'Arcy's experiences working at Bloomingdale's as the designer of the model rooms from 1958 to 1973. A large part of the conversation focuses on D'Arcy's professional relationship with Marvin Traub, Chief Excecutive of Bloomingdale's and his role in the development of the aesthetic identity of Bloomingdale's. D'Arcy also discusses her transition from model room designer to her role as head of store design.

D'Arcy, Barbara