If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, WWD may receive an affiliate commission.

The shocking demise of Barneys continues to be mourned in the world of fashion, but the iconic, industry-changing retailer has just gotten a fresh lease on life, in the form of a new tell-all from Gene Pressman, who was the co-CEO, creative director, and head of merchandising and marketing at Barneys New York for more than 25 years (he was also the grandson of Barney Pressman, the namesake businessman who founded the famed department store back in 1923).

Pressman’s memoir was released just last week, but it’s already managed to make major waves — hitting the “#1 Bestseller” spot in Amazon’s Fashion Design books category. Also available to shop in Kindle-friendly and audiobook form (you can get the latter for free with a free Audible trial on Amazon, as it turns out), the 400-page hardcover from Penguin’s Viking imprint grants a rare inside look not only at the workings of Barneys during its heyday but the cultural context of the late 1900s as a whole.

What originally started as a Seventh Avenue discount clothing store with the slogan “No Bunk, No Junk, No Imitations” quickly transitioned to being New York’s (and then the country’s) prime luxury shopping destination, as Barney Pressman’s son, Fred, reimagined Barneys’ operations entirely, from the type of fare it served in the cafe to the source of its designs (Italian-made suits were now the status quo).

During the 1970s and ’80s, Barneys fell into the hands of Fred’s sons, Gene Pressman and his brother Robert — experiencing an absolute boom and, pivotally, introducing American shoppers with high tastes to previously unbeknown-to-them labels that would go on to have a major impact stateside (the likes of Alaïa, Comme des Garçons, and Dries Van Noten, not to mention Giorgio Armani, as it was the first clothing store in the country to stock the late designer’s full line). Pressman himself was also responsible for expanding the Barneys collection to womenswear, which was crucial for widening the retailer’s fanbase.

His new book captures the pervasive je ne sais quoi of this era: one of glitz and glamour, yes, but also hubris, excess, and unreasonable expectations. Ultimately, it is this insatiable hunger for more, in the form of Barneys’ overexpansion both within its city of origin and other locations around the U.S., that felled the empire and the lavish lifestyles it backed.

Barneys‘ 1996 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing forced the Pressman family out, only to be replaced by a revolving door of owners and shuttering for good in February 2020. Pressman, though, lived to tell the tale of what the playground of New York’s rich and famous looked like at its peak: having dressed everyone from Andy Warhol and Madonna to Donald Trump and Elizabeth Taylor.

Though the style mecca is no more, Pressman has makes its lush history accessible: blessing readers with never-before-heard anecdotes from the man behind it all. Don’t waste a second in scoring the title today, which is already the name on everyone’s lips (and Goodreads lists). Calvin Klein, after all, said the following about it: “Barneys was a truly unique experience — sophisticated, creative, and one of endless discovery. The same can be said of Gene’s book, which vividly captures this legendary time and place.”

Sign up for WWD Shop‘s newsletter to get the scoop on the best in beauty and style with in-depth reviews of exciting new releases and buyer’s guides to find the products you need to try ASAP.

Why Trust WWD

Since 1910, WWD — often referred to as “the fashion bible” — has been the leading industry voice of authority for senior executives in the global women’s and men’s fashion, retail and beauty communities, while also informing the consumer media that cover the market. Today, WWD’s breaking news and trend coverage continues to be a trustworthy resource for both fashion insiders and consumers alike. Our shopping editors continue to uphold WWD’s editorial standards and values with quality, expert-backed product selections. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on new releases in the world of fashion, memoirs included.