Dawn: The Career of the Legendary Fashion Retailer Dawn Mello

Foreword by Tom FordIncludes quotes by some of the biggest names in fashion including Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Donna KaranAn untold story of an essential figure in the history of fashion retailPointed Leaf Press is proud to present the first monograph on Dawn Mello in a lavishly illustrated book that spans her impressive career. In 1975, Mello was hired as Fashion Director and Vice President of Bergdorf Goodman to turn the store around and remake it in her image, by then CEO, Ira Neimark. Together they turned the once dowdy department store into the retail center of luxury fashion. Mello's strategy not only redefined and repositioned Bergdorf Goodman, but in doing so, she discovered and encouraged the rise of exciting modern designers, while inaugurating an exuberant, new type of fashion shows. Mello left Bergdorf Goodman in the late 1980s to revitalize the fading and unfashionable Gucci. She hired Tom Ford to oversee women's ready-to-wear and Richard Lambertson as Design Director. By the time she left, Gucci was back on top as a bonafide high-fashion luxury brand. She has spent decades identifying talent, pursuing designers, and helping launch and nurture their careers: Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Gianfranco Ferré, Azzedine Alaïa, Claude Montana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Jo Malone - and the list goes on. Discover the amazing and pioneering career of the formidable Dawn Mello. Contents: Foreword: Tom Ford; A Strong and Silent Dawn; The Store Mr. Goodman Built; Ira and Dawn, Dawn and Ira; The French Fashion Coup; The Italian Strategy; The Italians Keep Coming; The New French Avant-Garde Arrives; The Rise of the Americans; Miss Mello and Dr. Gucci; Dawn Returns to America; Epilogue: Dawn at Home; Chronology.