Long established retail stores in the luxury market build up a loyal customer base. Henri Bendel opened its store for discerning ladies in New York City in 1896. Today's flagship store is located on fashionable Fifth Avenue in Manhattan and is known for its attractive interior. Other stores reside in New York and there are branches in Chicago, Boston, Palm Beach, Florida and Columbus, Ohio. The company is now owned by the large corporation, Limited Brands. The design layout of the stores was largely influenced by Geraldine Stutz when she was President of the company. It was her idea to place individual boutiques inside the setting of the store, an arrangement that we are all familiar with today.
The store has always been a byword in quality, selling women's clothing and accessories, gifts, make up, perfume, gourmet food and lingerie. The man who started it all, Henri Bendel, worked as a milliner and took orders from the rich, elegant ladies of New York. He made a big contribution to the city's fashion credentials by introducing new designs from the great Coco Chanel. Bendel also is said to have put on the first runway show to be seen in New York.
Stripy brown and white shopping bags are a common sight around towns with a Henri Bendel store. The pattern is repeated in their range of cosmetic bags. The store is known equally for its selection of cashmere sweaters, gloves and scarves. There are also merino wool sweaters and all in a choice of colors and designs. Handbags from Chloe and Kooba are on sale and there is a line in sunglasses, loungewear, hair accessories, scented soap and candles and skin care products. The Fifth Avenue store, which has been there since 1990 after re-locating, has a Frederic Fekkai Hair Salon.
The company has always bought from the best designers and suppliers. Up and coming designers are actively encouraged to try to sell their work to them. Talent is supported and Stephen Burrows, Diane von Furstenberg and Rick Owens all retail through Henri Bendel. All the store's products come from respected sources. The cosmetics counters display includes Bobbi Brown, Lauren Mercier and Chanel. The company does philanthropic work too, organizing events at the stores in order to raise money for charities. The branch stores will continue to make an important contribution to the local economies and the communities in which they are located.
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