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Archival description
US NNFIT SC.382.16 · folder · 1940s
Part of Sally Victor collection, 1930s-1960s

This folder contains black and white photographs depicting clothed women and mannequin heads wearing Victor hats from the 1940s. Most photographs include typed descriptions attached and some have handwritten notes on the reverse side.

US NNFIT SC.382.7 · folder · 1942
Part of Sally Victor collection, 1930s-1960s

This folder contains black and white photographs depicting clothed women wearing Victor hats from 1942. Most photographs include typed descriptions attached and some have handwritten notes on the reverse side. Also, included are promotional materials.

US NNFIT SC.166 · collection · 1920-1972 (bulk 1970-1972)

This collection holds documents and photographic materials including correspondence between Robert Riley, Janet Gaynor, and others concerning research for the FIT exhibition, Adrian Retrospective, 1971.

Riley, Robert
US NNFIT SC.473 · collection · 1973

This collection contains a 187 page transcript of an oral history with Andrew Goodman.

The American Jewish Committee
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.1.57 · item · 1979 February 28, March 1, and March 5th
Part of Academic Affairs records

John Touhey interviews Vera Maxwell over several days in the winter of 1979 about her childhood, her entry into and experiences in the fashion industry, as well as where she sees it going.

Maxwell, Vera, 1901-1995
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.8.2 · item · 1982 May 14
Part of Academic Affairs records

Arthur Jablow reflecting on his father-in-law, Maurice Rentner. There is a most interesting section in the Oral Memoirs of Maurice Rentner, (his father-in-law) which provides considerable insight into other facets of the ready-to-wear business.

Jablow, Arthur
US NNFIT SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.10 · item · 1986 January 16
Part of Academic Affairs records

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.3.20.4.9.3.1 · 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.3.20.4.9.3.4 · 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