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| 1962 Neiman Marcus Christmas Catalog |
My daughter's first job out of college was with Neiman Marcus and she worked for them for many years. Much of my Chanel, Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik, and most of my designer clothes came from the Neiman Marcus at Tysons Galleria in Virginia.
I'm sure those who live in Dallas are in shock - Neiman Marcus really helped to put Dallas on the map. I think much of the panache and luxe appeal of Dallas is connected with the Neiman Marcus flagship historic landmark there. A sad day. I still miss Chicago's Marshall Field's and D.C.'s Garfinckel's.
While there are claims of landlord issues, in fact Saks Global who owns Saks Fifth Avenue, acquired Neiman Marcus in December, and there are money issues with vendors very overdue on payments. It appears that the days of the great department stores are gone, at least here in the United States. Harrods in London that I adore is doing very well, having its best year for sales and profits in many in 2024.
I am not a Saks Fifth Avenue fan, and can't help but feel that the best days of Neiman Marcus are behind it.
I know that may of us have cherished childhood memories connected with the great department stores. For me, it was my family's annual Christmas lunch next to the Marshall Field's Christmas tree and Frango chocolate mints. Then when I went to D.C. for law school, I was so proud of my Washington Shopping Plate credit card that could be used at Garfinckel's, Woodward & Lothrop, and Hecht's. I'm sure many Dallas families are reminiscing today too.
So sad to hear this. Another retail casualty. Like you, I loved those fantastic Christmas catalogues. They were like no other. I always wondered who on earth received the major gifts in there.
ReplyDeleteMy first pair of navy blue heels for my American Airline uniform were from Neiman Marcus in Dallas, as well as my daughter’s gorgeous First Communion dress and veil. My favorite lunch spot in Ft. Lauderdale too! It’d the end of an era! 😢
ReplyDeleteThat is so very sad. I'm old enough to remember when shopping was truly an eventful experience. My mother used to take us children to downtown San Francisco at Christmas time to shop, and how we marveled at the magical window displays. Then we would meet my father, who worked in the financial district , for lunch. It was wonderful. The Neiman's at Union Square in San Francisco is still open, however I have not gone to SF in ages. Too much crime and homelessness keeps me away, and there are many stores that are shuttered. I much prefer to go the the Stanford Shopping Center.
ReplyDeleteI fear we are too addicted to cheap Chinese clothing to value the experience of Neiman Marcus clothes and high end shopping in general. On the other hand, we think nothing of paying $5 for a cup of Starbuck's coffee that we could get much, much cheaper elsewhere. Young brides no longer are interested in china and crystal and silver, rather, it's Pottery Barn stuff. Disposable, meaningless, as in no history and no aspiration for a finer future. Forget passing fine things down to your kids of this generation. I grew up in Dallas in the 60s - the news of NM closing makes me weep.
ReplyDeletei grew up in dallas in the 50's and when i down sized a few years ago, my sons, their wives and my grandchildren wanted most of my things including, china, crystal, silver, art and antiques. people kept telling me that they "Wouldn't want my stuff", and they were wrong. Also, granny look is back in style. there is hope for us yet.
DeleteOh my goodness. I will forever appreciate the fond memories of what Neiman Marcus used to be. When I moved to Houston it was my go to for just about everything. Loved the products, quality, service - everything. Right along with Chicago's Marshall Fields that I used to frequent as a child, and the Frango mints. I am fortunate to have received a few lovely gifts as a young girl from Garfinckel's but can only imagine what that lovely experience might have been, having never visited that establishment. There is little to anything left of a shopping experience that provides even a glimpse of decorum.
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to a most wonderful read called, Remembering Marshall Fields. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remembering-marshall-fields-leslie-goddard/1102186995?ean=9780738583686
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear! When wedding dress shopping I was having zero luck until heading to Neimans in their new Oak Brook, IL store this was in 1981! Also remember my last push present a Louis Vuitton Alma bag of course came from Neimans too!
ReplyDeleteI lived for many years in DC. As they began to renovate several buildings downtown, I ended up working in the building several floors up from Garfinckel's on the ground floor. I spent many lunch hours there and I was devastated when they finally closed it. I miss the lovely old department stores that were so wonderful to visit especially at Christmas. Everyone dressed to shop, no t-shirts and jeans back then.
ReplyDeleteN-M was the best thing about Dallas. I will never get over losing Garfinckel's. Or Raleigh's. Or Woodies & Hecht's.
ReplyDeleteThey claim it was a landlord tenant issue and still have stores in the Dallas suburbs but I agree. End of an era! I recall attending a fashion show at the flagship during my husband’s medical conference. He was still a resident, I couldn’t afford a thing but it was the most glorious store!
ReplyDeleteIt's a sad day here in Dallas, just as Chicago suffered when Marshall Fields closed. Fortunately I can still buy Frango Mints! Sakowitz in Houston was another great classic. I miss Lord & Taylor and Hutzler's in Maryland. They had excellent crab cakes!
ReplyDeleteI live in Dallas and can say that Neiman Marcus has been a shadow of its former self for quite a few years. It has been a sad decline .
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