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Henri Bendel (1868-1936) started as a milliner. He opened his New York City hat shop in 1896. By the 1910s, he was producing high quality custom made clothing, and was also a major importer of French designs. He was one of the first Americans to buy at Chanel, and he imported and copied many of the French couturiers.

In 1931, the store opened a ready-to-wear (pret-a-porter) department, although they continued to be known for their top-of-the-line custom work. They continued to import French fashion through the Great Depression, but were forced to stop the practice with the outbreak of WWII. By this time, Henri Bendel had died, but his namesake store remained a major force in the New York fashion world. In 1946, the store was one of the first to view and buy from the new French collections.

Henri Bendel closed its custom workrooms in the 1950s. From 1960 through 1986, Geraldine Stutz was the president of Henri Bendel. Under her direction, the store became a major promoter of the youthful Mod look, and the subsequent young trends. They were also a pioneer in the boutique within a store concept.

In 1985 Henri Bendel was acquired by L Brands Inc., who in 2018, announced plans to close all 23 stores. In January 2019, its physical stores and website were closed, ending the brand’s fabled 123 year retail history.

Written by fuzzylizzie


from a 1930s gown - Courtesy of bombshellfrocks

from a 1930s gown

Courtesy of bombshellfrocks

from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of thevintagepeddler

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of thevintagepeddler

from a 1950s pret-a-porter dress - Courtesy of thevintagepeddler.com

from a 1950s pret-a-porter dress

Courtesy of thevintagepeddler.com

from a 1950s mouton fur coat - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s mouton fur coat

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s dress - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1950s dress & jacket - Courtesy of vintage martini

from a 1950s dress & jacket

Courtesy of vintage martini

from a 1950s evening dress - Courtesy of bigchief173

from a 1950s evening dress

Courtesy of bigchief173

from a mid 1950s dress - Courtesy of thevintagepeddler

from a mid 1950s dress

Courtesy of thevintagepeddler

from a late 1950s/early 1960s evening dress - Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a late 1950s/early 1960s evening dress

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a late 1950s/early 1960s coat - Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a late 1950s/early 1960s coat

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from an early 1970s dress - Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

from an early 1970s dress

Courtesy of vivavintageclothing

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of ikonicvintage

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of ikonicvintage

from a 1980s silk blouse - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1980s silk blouse

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a pair of 1990s leggings - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a pair of 1990s leggings

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from an early 2000s jacket - Courtesy of chezmov

from an early 2000s jacket

Courtesy of chezmov