Sunday, February 7, 2016

I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist by Betty Halbreich

If you've ever seen Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf Goodman, then you've met the unstoppable Director of Solutions Betty Halbreich.


Halbreich barely, if ever, refers to herself as "Director of Solutions"—to simply refer to Halbreich's position as "senior stylist" or "personal shopper" doesn't do her work justice, either. In so many words, think of Halbreich as a listener, a mother hen and then, finally, an editor of personal style. 


A Chicago native, Halbreich shares personal journey from her sensible Midwestern upbringing to her  lavish life as a well-to-do New York City housewife. Everything changes once she separates from her husband and is forced to work in order to support her lifestyle. 

Eventually Halbreich finds herself in the newly appointed "Solutions" department helping women find their style for the right occasion—socialites, actresses, politicians' wives, as well as the budget-conscious woman. 

A great read for someone interested in understanding another aspect of the fashion industry—in a world stressing the importance of data and metrics, the most vital thing to understand about any business is the soul that drives it. People like Halbreich represent what the fashion industry needs to constantly remember and never lose sight of...

It's all about the person, the personality, wearing the clothes. The runways, the shows, the logos mean nothing without the person. 

Fashion is about clothes. Style is about soul.

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