Although Barneys closed its doors in 2020, its legacy lives on in New York City.
Last fall, Barneys hosted pop-up events showcasing 40 brands, including many favorites from its past, like former window dresser Simon Doonan. There are also two television series in the works, not to mention a new memoir titled “They All Came to Barneys: The Personal History of the World’s Largest Store (Vikings, Tuesday), which chronicles its remarkable journey.
Author Jean Pressman reflects, “We shot the moon and flew near the sun.”
Jean joined the family business in the 1970s, and worked her way up from the ground level to the executive suite before leaving in the late 1990s.
The book’s title is fitting—movie stars, business moguls, politicians, artists, and socialites indeed flocked to Barneys.
Andy Warhol was a Saturday regular. Susan Sontag had her hair done in Barneys’ salon. Madonna and Iman graced the charity fashion show, while the “Material Girl” often dined at the store café with her friend Sandra Bernhard.
Jean notes, “You might find Diane Keaton sitting right there at the entrance.” Even Donald Trump’s ex-wife Ivana mentioned how he would buy a significant number of clothes when he was “in a good mood.”
For fashion devotees, Barneys was paradise on earth; it became the first U.S. store to carry Armani and Japanese cult label Comme des Garçons. Sarah Jessica Parker stated, “If you’re a decent person working hard, you can certainly shop at Barneys.” (Fun fact: her character Carrie Bradshaw was also a fan.)
Barneys wasn’t just a store; it was a destination, an entertainment hub with a restaurant. People met friends, exes, and even rivals there. Jean even saw Japanese women carrying Barneys bags as wallets, which speaks volumes about its brand strength.
It didn’t start as a fashion haven, though. Bernie Pressman founded the store in 1923. He had a vision for affordable, quality men’s suits on Seventh Avenue, and those initial roots held onto a certain grit.
Originally boasting marked-down suits, Bernie labeled himself the “cut-rate king” and managed to keep prices low while offering personal customer service.
By the time Jean joined, Barneys had transitioned into a space of high-end fashion. His father Fred introduced European labels while Jean sought “cool” brands, wanting to shake things up a bit. He even interviewed potential hires at disco parties.
In 1976, Jean convinced Fred to add women’s clothing, sourcing exciting brands from around the globe. He had an instinct for showmanship, like his grandfather, and organized a memorable charity fashion event in the 1980s.
Barneys thrived during the late 1970s to mid-1990s, attracting high-profile clients. Celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson famously shopped there, and the café hosted many notable figures.
While some celebrities misbehaved—like Lauren Hutton, who once vowed never to return after being denied a dress—others, such as Robert De Niro, were friendly and engaging.
Things were thriving as Jean and his brother Bob expanded the brand, opening the first Barneys America Store in Philadelphia in 1989 and stretching to Tokyo in 1990. However, rapid growth led to overspending.
They took a bit of a gamble, organizing extravagant events to draw crowds. Unfortunately, not every locale embraced Barneys’ New York vibe—particularly not in Dallas, where stylist tensions bubbled.
Barneys filed for bankruptcy in 1996. Fast forward to 2020, and the once-iconic store closed its doors after cycling through various owners, but it still retains a nostalgic essence, especially for fans of “Sex and the City.”
Reading “They All Came to Barneys,” one can almost feel the thrill of a shopping experience that was, at one point, truly special.
