A special treat for you today.
On one of my last days in New York I had the chance to meet Betty Halbreich, who is 88 and is still working at Bergdorf & Goodman as a personal shopper. You may remember that I reviewed her book here.
In her book (available at Bergdorf and Amazon) she mentioned that she welcomes everyone to come in and say hello so I did just that.
At first she was not in, but her assistant told me she may be back in 15 min. So I had a look around at the fabulous store.
After 15 minutes I tried again and there she was. Looking absolutely fabulous and very welcoming! This, despite getting ready and having to leave in 15 minutes for a talk she was about to give at an external meeting.
I asked her for a quick interview and she said yes!
To be honest I could have talked with her a lot more as she was so interesting.
Looking back at this interview I wished I had gone more into depth about some of the answers she gave, but we were on a tight schedule and to be honest I had not thought that I would be so lucky to get this interview with her so was not as prepared as I could have been.
This woman is an inspiration and I hope you enjoy the interview!
Some quotes
“I don’t like trendy, trendy clothes and clothes that are very youth-oriented.”
“Clothes should have some sort of longevity.”
“No, I don’t think style changes after 40, it’s how you buy after 40.”
“I’m at the age now. I can wear my old clothes that are vintage.”
“I will probably work here until I fall over one day ….. It regenerates my being.”
I’m inspired by the fact that she still works at Bergdorf’s today and doing what she love. As she says, it regenerates her being.
I don’t think I want to stop working as I get older as I love what I do and keeps me active and engaged.
How about you? Do you plan working well above 65 or can’t you wait for work to be over? Perhaps you have already stopped working?
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What a great interview. You must have done this the summer before last. I am just seeing this now. Definitely something to save for your archives. Wonderful quotes from another style icon. What a coup Sylvia!
Thanks 🙂 It was great to talk her. Such a wonderful lady!
Sylvia. Thank you so much for this interview. She really is such an icon. I think what strikes me most about her is her confidence. She instinctively knows what works for herself and other people and she doesn’t try too hard.
Sylvia
I enjoyed that interview so much. How refreshing and different to everything else going on in ‘mainstream’. Great stuff!
Ann
Thanks Sylvia!
Words of wisdom from a True Style Icon.
Janna Beatty Co-Author Quintessential Style
I have to listen to the interview another time as I am at the hairdresser with die in my hair… Cannot use my earphone. But… I can already say I applaud anyone who can look so stylish at this age and is still working. i hope I will do that too. Only she has a very creative job and I have a stressy job… Don’t know yet, but I do want to keep active and working in a job. We will see.
On the subject of quality clothes I disagree totally. Ever seen clothes made by Theory? Or by Max Mara handmade? That is very good quality. OK it is expensive but so were the vintage pieces once.
I think you should get a creative job too after 65 as we discussed before. A place where you can talk about fashion and talk to many women the whole day!
What a treat to get to interview her! She’s a treasure.
fabulous! i HOPE i be able to do something more than sitting around when i´m 88!!
thank you sylvia for the interview! xxx
I too really enjoyed her book and find her thoughts on fashion very helpful for navigating all the many trends. I agree with Suzanne, with the exception of a handful of designers, quality is only really found today in vintage clothing and accessories. The trick is to wear your vintage in a modern way, whether this means mixing with contemporary pieces or having non designer vintage pieces altered to look current. For example, reducing large 80s shoulders in dresses and blouses.
I think Betty Heilbreich is a great inspiration for any woman interested in developing and maintaining a unique personal style throughout her lifetime.
http://www.beastofstyle.com
Betty is so charming and insightful – what a beautiful interview.
Great interview!
I love Betty Halbreich’s advice to put thought into what you are buying, and consider if the item has longevity.
I don’t see myself retiring at 65; like Betty, I believe if you do what you love, working is regenerating!
Lovely interview. I have seen Betty Halbreich on jaunts through Bergdorf’s. To me, it is the most elegant and wonderful store in NYC. I have read her Memoir and seen the movie “Scatter My Ashes”.
Fascinating interview, especially as so much seems to be a bit anti-Bergdorf. (Clothes are not quality any more, don’t buy trends, etc etc).
Well she does mention that she ‘battles with management’ all the time…
Excellent interview and so right on point about style. Thanks for sharing with us!
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Great interview. Thank you Betty is a very inspiring woman. I would love to meet her
What an interesting and inspiring lady! She looks beautiful, and much, much younger than her 88 years. I struggle sometimes with being 45, but she gives me hope that I can look that good at any age.
You know, I met so many amazing women that were much older than me. So energetic, so full of life! They made me feel young again and I feel like I still have a whole life ahead of me!
Your interview was excellent, and so was her advice.
Thank You.
Great interview Sylvia! Especially since you hadn’t prepared and caught her by chance.
She is right, if you want to find very high quality clothes you need to buy vintage.
bisous
Suzanne
Love it that you went in for the interview…I really liked her book. I just started a new business at 62 and I plan to work until I fall over…it is invigorating and gives me joy. Thanks for being and bold and for sharing the time you spent with Betty!