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Listen carefully and pass the monkey bread.
In 1907, Herbert Marcus opened a store in Dallas with his sister Carrie and husband Al Neiman. At that time, the oil business had not yet flourished, and the future metropolis It is still a provincial capital city with criss-cross streets. But they co-created Neiman Marcus, bringing high-quality ready-made garments to an eager customer base. Carrie and Al Neiman divorced in 1928, and Herbert bought Al's shares. Carrie continued to work in this store and became the guiding force for Neiman Marcus to expand into new markets.
It is easy to underestimate her role in the success of Neiman Marcus. In those days, women did not receive many honors for their contribution to the retail empire. Her great niece Jerrie Marcus Smith (Jerrie Marcus Smith) has been collecting stories about Marcus’s many achievements for many years. This month she will publish a private biography of how a motivated young man became One of the most talented pioneers in the fashion industry.
The following is an excerpt from "A Girl named Carrie: The Visionary Who Created Neiman Marcus and Set the Standard of Fashion".
Over time, customers not only relied on Carrie's fashion advice, but after getting to know her intimately, they revealed deep secrets, from their greatest personal victories to their greatest disappointments. If an old customer has a wandering husband, Carrie probably knows him. If another customer needs a new set of clothes to be with a man who is not her husband, Carrie probably also knows him. Customers believe that if Carrie can tell the truth about what they are wearing in a particular outfit—if the outfit does not meet her high expectations, she will kill the sales without hesitation—she can keep their solemn secret.
Over the years, she may know better than anyone about the fickleness of the upper class in Dallas, and she has become a huge treasure trove of confidence for many long-term clients. Some people even visit her in the store without intending to buy anything. After Carrie listened carefully to their stories, she usually gave them some good suggestions—usually buying them. Her knowledge shaped Dallas society in this way, well beyond the clothes brought home by the city's most elegant residents. Because of Carrie, Neiman Marcus is considered the arbiter of fashion and taste in Dallas, which includes many areas outside of fashion. When the old Dallas lady is about to entertain an important guest, she may call Neiman Marcus (Neiman Marcus) for advice. How can I make an elegant dinner? What should she serve and how should she serve?
The store also received inquiries about travel. Where would Carrie suggest them to go on holiday and when? The phone calls became so frequent that she eventually had to ask others to help with some requests. If she wants to, Carrie doesn't always wait to be asked, but volunteers to present her original ideas about style, taste, entertainment and hiking. In 1949, she read that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor planned to visit two customers of the store—the wealthy Dallas oil merchant Clint Murchison and his wife Virginia’s Mexican ranch. Carrie called Virginia and made the correct proposal to prepare the Murchison family ranch for the royal family's visit. "It would be great if you had some linen towels with the monograms of the duke and duchess and their emblems," Carrie suggested. Virginia was excited about the idea, and was equally excited when the beautiful linens arrived on the ranch three days later. After seeing the towel, the Duchess waved to Virginia and exclaimed: "Awesome!" Decades later, Virginia still thanked Carrie for her genius-and was still shocked by the fact that the Duke and Duchess had all 12 items. Bring home towels.
This story appeared in the November 2021 issue of Towns and Villages. Subscribe now