Contributors

Stephen Burrows

Stephen Burrows is an acclaimed African American designer based in New York. Burrows came to the attention of Geraldine Stutz in 1971, who immediately recruited him to Bendel’s. From 1971 to 1973, and again in 1977, he designed for Bendel’s Studio, an inhouse ready-to-wear line, as well as for his own in-store boutique, Stephen Burrows World. Known for easy jersey dresses in vibrant colors, Burrows continues to design today.

Carlos Falchi

Brazilian born New York designer Carlos Falchi is best known for his soft, slouchy leather handbags. A small independent fashion designer creating leather looks for musicians such as Miles Davis and Mick Jagger, Falchi was introduced to Stutz in 1971 and was encouraged to specialize in handbags. With the help of Bendel’s, Falchi’s business greatly expanded into a multi-million dollar brand. He passed away in 2015.

Bruce Oldfield

Bruce Oldfield is a British fashion designer. After leaving the acclaimed design school Central Saint Martin’s in London, Oldfield was hired by Stutz to design for Bendel’s in-house studio. He worked with Bendel’s from 1973 to 1974. Subsequently, Oldfield opened his own eponymous label, which specializes in couture evening wear and is still in operation today.

Jean Rosenberg

Geraldine Stutz often called Jean Rosenberg Henri Bendel’s “fashion conscience”. Rosenberg worked at Bendel’s for over 30 years, during the entirety of Stutz’s time as president, acting as vice Prpsident of merchandising for much of this term. Rosenberg’s sharp eye as head buyer was responsible for much of Bendel’s fashion leadership, and she discovered designers including Krizia, Sonia Rykiel, Chloe, Jean Muir and Emmanuelle Khanh. Now in her 90s, she lives near Central Park.

Robert Rufino

Robert Rufino began his career in display at Henri Bendel in 1971 at the age of 19. Trained by renowned visual display director Robert Currie, Rufino became the visual merchandizing director at Henri Bendel, staying with the store for 11 years until 1982. He went on to serve as the vice president of visual merchandising and vice president of creative services for Tiffany & Co. from 1996-2009. Rufino is currently the interiors editor at Elle Decor.

Marion Greenberg

Marion Greenberg was a buyer at Henri Bendel from 1971 to 1980. Leading the eveningwear department Bendel’s Fancy, she notably developed the designer Zoran. Greenberg left Bendel’s to open her own fashion public relations firm, Marion Greenberg Inc., at a time when PR was an emerging business. In operation for nearly 30 years, MGI represented such brands as Comme des Garcons, Jil Sander and Alexander McQueen for Givenchy.

Joan Kaner

Joan Kaner’s career spanned 45 years in the fashion business. It began in earnest as an assistant buyer at Henri Bendel, where she remained for 9 years from 1967-1976. Subsequently, Kaner worked at the famous Fiorruci boutique, and served as fashion director of numerous retailers, including Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, and finally Neiman Marcus. Kaner spent 16 years at Neiman Marcus, where she was also a vice president, before retiring in 2005.

Grace Mirabella

Former editor-in-chief of Vogue Grace Mirabella helmed the famous fashion publication from 1971-1988. She had worked at Vogue since the 1950s, and championed easy-to-wear, elegant clothing. She subsequently directed Mirabella Magazine, which ran until 2000. Mirabella is now retired and lives on the Upper East Side.

Harold Prince

Harold Prince is an acclaimed Broadway director and producer. A winner of many Tony Awards, he is well known for his productions of West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera. Prince was a long-time friend of Geraldine Stutz, and continues to work on Broadway.

June Weir

June Weir was a respected fashion journalist who worked as a fashion editor and vice president at publications including Women’s Wear Daily, W Magazine, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Mirabella and the New York Times. In addition to her long career in journalism, Weir was also a fashion historian who taught at both Parsons and New York University. She passed away in 2015.

Nathalie Rykiel

Nathalie Rykiel is a designer and the daughter of French fashion designer Sonia Rykiel. Sonia Rykiel was introduced to the American market by Jean Rosenberg, who discovered her designs in Paris in the late 1960s. Bendel’s subsequently opened a Sonia Rykiel boutique on the third floor of the store in 1969.

Ellen Hopkins

Ellen Hopkins is the niece of Geraldine Stutz. Stutz was not only an important family member in Ellen’s life, she was also an employer. Hopkins worked as a sales clerk at Henri Bendel part time after graduating from college in the early 1980s. Today, she is a lawyer at the State Attorney’s office in New York City.

Emma Turner

Emma Turner first met Geraldine Stutz in 1966 as a step-daughter. Even after Stutz and her father divorced, Emma remained extremely close with Stutz throughout her life, and continues today to act as a co-trustee of the Geraldine Stutz Trust. She lives in London, where she works as a director of Client Philanthropy at Barclays.

Allen Greenberg

Allen Greenberg is a former accountant for both Hal Prince and Geraldine Stutz. He assisted Stutz on some of the details of the sale of Henri Bendel in 1985. Greenberg and Stutz became good friends, and today Greenberg manages the Geraldine Stutz Trust as a co-trustee.