It’s the most mythic of all American emporiums – and the scene of many an ultimate fashion fantasy. Now audiences get a rarified chance to peek behind the backroom doors and into the reality of the fascinating inner workings and fabulous untold stories from Bergdorf Goodman’s iconic history in Matthew Miele’s Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s.
The legend, the parties, the fashion idols, the windows, the women, the buyers and shoppers — and most of all, the quintessentially American dreams of New York’s high-fashion hot-spot – all come to life in an ode to a realm where creativity and commerce reign equally supreme. With a light touch, Miele explores not just the glamour but the passion behind the daily creation of this luxury mecca in a film as dynamic, lush and intimate as the store itself.
The 111-year history of Bergdorf Goodman mirrors Manhattan as the store comes of age. Miele traces the tale from the store’s turn-of-the-century start to its transformation into a modern symbol of aspiration and incomparable style. But Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s also takes audiences deeper behind the scenes, into a world never seen – revealing the intriguing people and personalities who make the store tick . . . and have made it a power player in the lives of the nation’s movie stars, political figures and cultural elite. From fashion director Linda Fargo vetting young designers, to window decorator David Hoey forging the year’s Christmas spectacle to personal shopper Betty Halbreich dressing the rich and famous, the film becomes a mesmerizing portrait of those who have the job of making dreams of divine glamour come true.
Cast: Giorgio Armani, Candice Bergen, Manolo Blahnik, Dolce & Gabanna, Marc Jacobs, Naeem Khan, Michael Kors, Karl Lagerfeld, Lauren Bush Lauren, Susan Lucci, Christian Louboutin, Catherine Malandrino, Gilles Mendel, Isaac Mizrahi, Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen, Thakoon Panichgul, Joan Rivers and Jason Wu, among others.
Director: Matthew Miele
Running time: 93 minutes
Release Date: May 3, 2013
