Ira Neimark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ira Neimark
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Ira Neimark in 2011 at a book party for 'The Rise of Fashion'
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| Born | December 12, 1921 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | April 18, 2019 (aged 97) Harrison, New York, U.S.
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| Education | Columbia Business School |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) |
Jacqueline R. Myers
(m. 1953) |
| Children | 2 |
Ira Neimark (born December 12, 1921, died April 18, 2019) was an important American businessman. He was known for his work in the world of fashion and retail. From 1975 to 1992, he was the head of a famous department store called Bergdorf Goodman. He helped the store grow a lot during his time there.
Neimark brought back fancy French fashion (called haute couture) to New York. This included famous designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, and Christian Dior. Under his leadership, Bergdorf Goodman's sales grew from $18 million to $250 million. He also opened a separate store just for men's fashion in 1991.
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Ira Neimark's Early Life
Ira Neimark was born on December 12, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a lawyer. When Ira was 16, his father passed away. This meant Ira needed to find a job to help out.
In late 1938, he got a Christmas job at a store called Bonwit Teller. He started as a "pageboy," helping customers. After Christmas, he became a "doorboy," greeting people as they came in. He was later promoted to office boy and then stock boy.
Education and Military Service
Ira went to Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn. He didn't get his diploma until 1945, after World War II. This was because he was working and then joined the military.
In 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Corps. He served in Saipan with the 20th Air Force. Before joining the army, he took evening classes at Columbia Business School. Even though he didn't get a degree, Columbia still considers him an alumnus. He later returned to teach and give lectures there.
Ira Neimark's Retail Career
After serving in World War II, Neimark went back to Bonwit Teller. He worked his way up, becoming a manager and then an assistant to the president. He later became a buyer for blouses.
In 1950, he moved to McCreery's in New York. The next year, he joined Gladdings in Rhode Island. He earned $9,000 a year there. In 1959, he moved to a well-known store called G. Fox & Co. in Connecticut.
Leading Bergdorf Goodman
In 1975, Ira Neimark took charge of Bergdorf Goodman. He was the first person outside the founding family to lead the company since it started in 1899. He wanted to change the store's image. He aimed to make it "young, exciting, expensive, and intimidating."
His main plan was to focus on top designers. He hired Dawn Mello to lead the store's fashion department. Neimark worked to bring famous designers from all over the world to Bergdorf Goodman. He wanted them to have special agreements with his store.
Fashion Shows and Growth
Bergdorf Goodman became known for putting on amazing fashion shows. These events got a lot of attention from newspapers and celebrities. For example, in 1981, they held a show for Fendi furs at a famous fountain. The fountain became the runway for the models.
Ira Neimark also helped launch the careers of designers like Donna Karan and Michael Kors. Their first big fashion shows were held at Bergdorf Goodman.
Under Neimark's leadership, Bergdorf Goodman grew a lot. Sales went from $18 million in 1975 to $250 million by 1992. This growth continued even after he left.
Professional Honors and Awards
Ira Neimark received special awards from the governments of Italy and France. Italy gave him the Cavaliere Della Republica. France gave him the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters. He also received the Medal of the City of Paris.
He was a Director Emeritus for Hermés of Paris. He also served as a director for The Fashion Institute of Technology Foundation.
Ira Neimark's Personal Life
While working in Rhode Island, Ira Neimark met Jackie Myers on a blind date. She was a handbag buyer for a company called T.W. Rounds. They got married on March 10, 1953. They had two daughters together.
Ira Neimark passed away on April 18, 2019, at his home in Harrison, New York.
Activities After Retirement
After he retired, Ira Neimark continued to share his knowledge. He was a guest lecturer at Columbia Business School. He also spoke to business students at other universities.
He wrote four books about his experiences in the luxury retail business. These books shared lessons he learned throughout his successful career.
