Bergdorf Goodman celebrated its 125th anniversary on Wednesday night with an elegant event that drew a distinguished crowd of designers, socialites, and fashion insiders to its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The luxury department store, founded in 1901 by Edwin Goodman and Herman Bergdorf, marked the occasion with a lavender-themed soirée that highlighted its enduring legacy in the retail world.
Among the attendees were designers Michael Kors, Isaac Mizrahi, and Jason Wu, as well as prominent social figures including Nicky Hilton Rothschild and Ivy Getty. The store's historic windows were adorned with lavender displays featuring a glittering bust of Andrew Goodman, son of the original founder and a former owner who played a key role in shaping the store’s identity.
Inside, guests navigated through the store’s famed ground floor, passing sparkling jewelry cases and bespoke monogram bag stations to reach a bar serving specialty cocktails named “5th Avenue Icon” and “The New York Darling.” Projected images chronicled Bergdorf Goodman’s rich history, showcasing notable patrons such as John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Sara Goodman, granddaughter of Andrew Goodman, reflected on her grandfather’s deep connection to the store. “He would walk the floors,” she said, noting that staff members who recognized her would often recount her grandfather’s intimate knowledge of the store’s operations, customers, and designers.
The event came amid a challenging backdrop for department stores in New York City. With the recent closures of retail landmarks such as Barneys New York, Henri Bendel, and Lord & Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman remains one of the few heritage stores maintaining its presence. Earlier this year, the store’s parent company, Saks Global, emerged from bankruptcy and rebranded as Exemplar Luxury Group.
“It’s a vanishing world,” Goodman said, expressing hope that the store’s new management would leverage its heritage to sustain its unique appeal. Bergdorf Goodman’s senior vice president Linda Fargo, who addressed the guests during the celebration, evoked the store’s storied past, recalling performances and visits by cultural icons including Barbra Streisand, Madonna, and renowned designers such as Christian Lacroix and Giorgio Armani.
Designer Prabal Gurung, also present at the event, expressed confidence in Bergdorf Goodman’s future, stating, “I don’t think there will ever be a New York without Bergdorf’s. They’re too good to fail.”
As the night progressed, the gathering included appearances by actress Natalia Dyer, model Hari Nef, television host Padma Lakshmi, and stylist Rachel Zoe. The festivities coincided with the start of New York Fashion Week, prompting many attendees to depart for subsequent events.
James Aguiar, Bergdorf Goodman’s fashion director in the late 1990s, observed from the sidelines as the celebration drew to a close. Dressed in a lavender shirt patterned with the store’s shopping bag logo, he reflected on the importance of preserving the store’s legacy amid a retail landscape increasingly dominated by large luxury conglomerates. “We’re all culpable in keeping these places like Bergdorf alive,” Aguiar said. “It’s important, because as soon as you walk through Bergdorf’s doors, you feel something special.”