SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF'S looks at the interior workings of Manhattan's famous store, interviews some of their most celebrated employees and talks to a series of fashion designers and customers who have enjoyed an association with the store over the years. Divided into a series of sections - for example, looking at how designers get accepted, the business of selling, or the planning that goes into the Christmas window-dressing campaign - the documentary shows how the store maintains its aura of exclusivity, not just because of the outrageous prices it charges, but because of the way it treats its customers. Star salesperson Betty Halbreich tells her clients the truth about themselves, while persuading them to spend fantastic sums on clothing. In the shoe salon, staff take a conscious pride in selling what they perceive as top-of-the-range models. Running throughout the film is a narrative concentrating on Bergdorf's iconic window-displays for 2012 - entitled "The Carnival of the Animals," they are quite simply mind- boggling in their detail and richness, creating a never-never land of their own that draws customers as well as tourists and window-shoppers. The interviews with the fashion designers are perhaps the film's least interesting aspect; it is much more instructive to look at the way in which hard-edged buyer Linda Fargo both nurtures and directs potential designers; she knows what she wants, and is prepared to get it at any cost. While Miele's film celebrates the store's durability - it even managed to weather the 2008 economic crisis - it perhaps lacks a sense of historical background: we could have found out more about how and why it attained its prestige in the first place. It remains highly entertaining nonetheless.
8 Reviews
I would have to say "meh"
richard-markowski28 July 2013
I should say at the outset that not only I am no fashionista, but that the fashion industry as a whole gives me the serious irrits. That should actually be a good starting point for this film as I came in with very low expectations, and I guess it's fair to say they were about met. This is, essentially, a bog standard, talking heads documentary, lacking any sort of dramatic arc or thread to hold the collection of anecdotes together. The only real point of interest for me was the creation of the seasonal window displays, which were breathtakingly and beautifully over the top, and without these this film would have rated a 3... maybe that's a bit harsh. As with any good documentary, I was hoping this film would make me care about something I didn't, but unfortunately what was not the case here.
99%er's--Cover Your Ears & Hide the Children!
larrys315 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I found this documentary, written and directed by Matthew Miele, became more and more pretentious and self-congratulatory as it progressed. It's a glimpse into the world of people who live in an alternate reality from 99.9% of the rest of us. It reminded me somewhat of the documentary "The Queen of Versailles" where the main characters had seemingly no clue, or didn't want to know how the rest of the world lives.
The subject here is the iconic department store and building, taking up the entire block at 57th Street and 5th Avenue, in Manhattan, of Bergdorf Goodman. It's purported to be, in the film, the classiest retail clothier around, showcasing the world's best designers for the world's wealthiest clients.
Without trying to get too moralistic, when you look at the desperation of the people of the Phillipines, due to Typhoon Haiyan, and knowing the struggles of so many here in the States financially, it's hard to really enjoy a film that highlights the snooty world of the obscenely rich and famous and their clothing purchases.
Also, I certainly got the impression that there were strict controls on what was being filmed and what the final product would be. It became, in my opinion, more and more of an infomercial for Bergdorf Goodman.
On the positive side, I thought it was interesting to see the history of the company itself and how their famous building was designed and built. However, you don't learn till the very end of the film that the owner Andrew Goodman, who is highly praised in the film, sold out in 1972, and the company is now a subsidiary of Neiman Marcus.
Also, I thought the preparations of the Holiday windows at Bergdorf's was quite fascinating and the final results were amazing. So maybe I'll see you all gawking at the Christmas displays in the Bergdorf Goodman windows, because we're probably not going to go in and buy a $6,000 pair of shoes!
The subject here is the iconic department store and building, taking up the entire block at 57th Street and 5th Avenue, in Manhattan, of Bergdorf Goodman. It's purported to be, in the film, the classiest retail clothier around, showcasing the world's best designers for the world's wealthiest clients.
Without trying to get too moralistic, when you look at the desperation of the people of the Phillipines, due to Typhoon Haiyan, and knowing the struggles of so many here in the States financially, it's hard to really enjoy a film that highlights the snooty world of the obscenely rich and famous and their clothing purchases.
Also, I certainly got the impression that there were strict controls on what was being filmed and what the final product would be. It became, in my opinion, more and more of an infomercial for Bergdorf Goodman.
On the positive side, I thought it was interesting to see the history of the company itself and how their famous building was designed and built. However, you don't learn till the very end of the film that the owner Andrew Goodman, who is highly praised in the film, sold out in 1972, and the company is now a subsidiary of Neiman Marcus.
Also, I thought the preparations of the Holiday windows at Bergdorf's was quite fascinating and the final results were amazing. So maybe I'll see you all gawking at the Christmas displays in the Bergdorf Goodman windows, because we're probably not going to go in and buy a $6,000 pair of shoes!
nice window displays
blanche-228 October 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I used to work directly across the street from Bergdorf's and actually used to buy my makeup there which was specially blended for my skin. One thing I noticed every time I went in is that everyone shopping had an accent. None of we Americans had any money.
Bergdorf's is an institution, an American success story, originally a family-run business run by people who cared about their customers and their product. I would say it's still that way.
One of the best things about Christmas in New York is the Bergdorf windows, which are always sumptuous and put one right into the Christmas spirit, no matter how rotten they feel.
As far a their pricing, their markup is probably 400%.
I didn't mind the interviews, I found them very interesting with the various designers and also how Halston or Ralph Lauren, I can't remember which, was dumped from the store after his line for J. C. Penney was announced.
There was a little spot on the saleswoman Betty who was quite funny. "Johnny Depp is my favorite person in the world," she says, "and he's the only one I haven't met." "Do you like the way he dresses?" someone asks. "Oh, who cares about that," she says. When asked what she would be doing if she wasn't working at Bergdorf's, she says, "Drinking."
The only problem with the documentary in my opinion was that it was all about the filthy rich indulging in nauseating excess. As the divide between rich and poor becomes bigger (especially in New York) it's kind of sickening. As one woman explained it, when milk goes up 4 cents at Walmart, you stop buying it. But Bergdorf was able to raise prices and sell expensive items. Not, of course, to the same crowd.
Bergdorf's is an institution, an American success story, originally a family-run business run by people who cared about their customers and their product. I would say it's still that way.
One of the best things about Christmas in New York is the Bergdorf windows, which are always sumptuous and put one right into the Christmas spirit, no matter how rotten they feel.
As far a their pricing, their markup is probably 400%.
I didn't mind the interviews, I found them very interesting with the various designers and also how Halston or Ralph Lauren, I can't remember which, was dumped from the store after his line for J. C. Penney was announced.
There was a little spot on the saleswoman Betty who was quite funny. "Johnny Depp is my favorite person in the world," she says, "and he's the only one I haven't met." "Do you like the way he dresses?" someone asks. "Oh, who cares about that," she says. When asked what she would be doing if she wasn't working at Bergdorf's, she says, "Drinking."
The only problem with the documentary in my opinion was that it was all about the filthy rich indulging in nauseating excess. As the divide between rich and poor becomes bigger (especially in New York) it's kind of sickening. As one woman explained it, when milk goes up 4 cents at Walmart, you stop buying it. But Bergdorf was able to raise prices and sell expensive items. Not, of course, to the same crowd.
Am I the only one who didn't care for the windows?
thejdrage15 November 2022
I would not be writing this review if it weren't for the windows. While, to me, they have the potential to be absolutely spectacular, then all of a sudden, they added 10 times more things than necessary. At times, it was hard to find the clothing - it was lost in the mishmash of "everything including the kitchen sink" which appears to be the philosophy of the Bergdorf/Goodman's lead designer.
Less is more, little dude!!! Less is more!!
Or have one idea along a few windows.
Yes, I know no one asked me, but they honestly made me nervous - there was so much "stuff". And I am NOT a minimalist at all.
My heart also sank when Yoko and John bought 80 fur coats. (Yes, I'm one of "those", please don't ding me negatively for that!)
All in all, it was interesting to see. It did a lot for fashion - that most of us can't afford! HA!
But go to Canal St. And get a knock off. (NO!! I'm kidding!!) Nowadays, go on a website and find that special piece online at a decent price!!!
Less is more, little dude!!! Less is more!!
Or have one idea along a few windows.
Yes, I know no one asked me, but they honestly made me nervous - there was so much "stuff". And I am NOT a minimalist at all.
My heart also sank when Yoko and John bought 80 fur coats. (Yes, I'm one of "those", please don't ding me negatively for that!)
All in all, it was interesting to see. It did a lot for fashion - that most of us can't afford! HA!
But go to Canal St. And get a knock off. (NO!! I'm kidding!!) Nowadays, go on a website and find that special piece online at a decent price!!!
Scatter is scattered.
Quietb-17 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
When choosing the subject for a Documentary Feature the film maker must decide if the subject will go the distance. Here's a documentary short padded into feature length. At 91 minutes it feels long and redundant. Far too many black outs followed by segment titles soon make you hope for "the end" title. The parade of repeated talking heads becomes tiresome. Joan Rivers does add a spark of life.
The people followed through their "typical day" is sometimes interesting but is anyone doing anything worthy of a documentary film? Perhaps the creation of the windows show some passion, and the personal shopper is good at her work, but for the most part it all seems like, what we have here is subject matter for reality TV on an obscure cable network.
At one point bad editing or a directing decision implies the tragedy of the Kennedy assassination seems to pale to the tragedy of Halston selling to JC Penny.
The good news is a documentary got theatrical distribution. The not so good news is there is no reason to see this scattered too long work in a theater.
The people followed through their "typical day" is sometimes interesting but is anyone doing anything worthy of a documentary film? Perhaps the creation of the windows show some passion, and the personal shopper is good at her work, but for the most part it all seems like, what we have here is subject matter for reality TV on an obscure cable network.
At one point bad editing or a directing decision implies the tragedy of the Kennedy assassination seems to pale to the tragedy of Halston selling to JC Penny.
The good news is a documentary got theatrical distribution. The not so good news is there is no reason to see this scattered too long work in a theater.
This is not a fashion documentary
MacCarmel2 July 2013
I must disagree with the naysayers. I enjoyed this documentary. And I think that those who knock it are doing so from a starting point of viewing it with the expectation that it is a fashion documentary. It is not that. This is a documentary of Bergdorf Goodman. A retailer.
I think that anyone who has an appreciation of history and art will enjoy this film. Bergdorf Goodman is a success story, known the world wide. It's a family owned department store that broke new ground in many ways -- in business understanding and scope, in architecture, marketing, mentoring, sales, window art, and building a phenomenally loyal clientele. In essence, this is a documentary of an American family owned business success. Part of that success has been to discover designer talent, teach and mentor them, create a Designer and a Line. You'll notice that every designer interviewed is both radiant and reverent when discussing Bergdorf Goodman. No one could have done what BG did for their career, except BG. And they know that.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the coverage of the window displays. The behind the scenes work and artistry that go into that is a revelation. And a celebration.
I think that anyone who has an appreciation of history and art will enjoy this film. Bergdorf Goodman is a success story, known the world wide. It's a family owned department store that broke new ground in many ways -- in business understanding and scope, in architecture, marketing, mentoring, sales, window art, and building a phenomenally loyal clientele. In essence, this is a documentary of an American family owned business success. Part of that success has been to discover designer talent, teach and mentor them, create a Designer and a Line. You'll notice that every designer interviewed is both radiant and reverent when discussing Bergdorf Goodman. No one could have done what BG did for their career, except BG. And they know that.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the coverage of the window displays. The behind the scenes work and artistry that go into that is a revelation. And a celebration.
Scatter My Ashes In Manhattan
SusanShop13 July 2013
Summertime - when all sorts of small films get to be seen - and so it is with Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorfs, a delightful film that could be seen as an infomercial for one of Manhattan's many department stores. It was fun to listen to the interviews of celebrities and near celebrities. The historical background was sparse, and must have left all the juicy bits out. A sly comparison between Anna Wintour and Dawn Mello made me feel as if I was now in on some clever insider joke or amusement. Most enchanting was the part of the film dealing with the annual creation of the fantastic Christmas windows. Oh to be a craftsman/woman employed to make fantasy pieces of art !! Many folks might look upon this film subject as too lightweight, and not worthy of their attention - and they would be wrong. We all need fantasy, and it can be found at Bergdorf's on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
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