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Traub, Marvin (1925-2012)

 Person

Staff Only

Dates

  • Existence: 1925-2012

Biography

Born on April 14, 1925 in New York City, Marvin S. Traub was a key figure in the retail industry of the mid to late 20th century. He is best known for turning Bloomingdale's Department Store into an upmarket, fashion forward cultural center and taking it from a $65 million dollar business in 1950 to a billion dollar business in 1987. Before starting at Bloomingdale's, Traub graduated from Harvard's undergraduate college and then Harvard Business School. Traub also served in WWII and in 1948 he married his wife, Lee (n

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Julian Tomchin interview, 1986 November, 1986 November

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.9
Scope and Contents This conversation has three main components: first, Tomchin discusses his work in the home furnishings department, consolidating the department into one cohesive collection under the guidance of a fashion director, similar to the structure of the clothing departments. This allowed the department to present more fully developed design ideas to the customer, encouraging the customer to work as her own decorator, just as the fashion departments allowed her to be her own stylist. Next, Tomchin...
Dates: 1986 November
Found in: Special Collections and FIT Archive / Academic Affairs records / Gladys Marcus Library records / Special Collections and FIT Archive / FIT oral histories collection / The Bloomingdale's interviews, 1986 November 5-1987 January 16

Marvin S. Traub interview, 1987 January 16, 1987 January 16

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.11
Scope and Contents In this conversation, Marvin S. Traub talks about his start at Bloomingdale's, and details his first seven positions at the company. He describes the Bloomingdale's customer as being someone who is interested in change and forward fashion, someone who "likes different things at different times" and who expects Bloomingdale's to alert them to the newest trends. Traub expresses his pride at helping to develop the careers of some of the industry's influential designers and executives and...
Dates: 1987 January 16
Found in: Special Collections and FIT Archive / Academic Affairs records / Gladys Marcus Library records / Special Collections and FIT Archive / FIT oral histories collection / The Bloomingdale's interviews, 1986 November 5-1987 January 16

Norman Axelrod interview, 1987 January 16, 1987 January 16

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.13
Scope and Contents From the sub-sub-sub-series:

This series consists of 14 oral history interviews, which discuss the history of Bloomingdale's, President Marvin Traub, as well as the store's current status and future plans. Interviews were conducted between November, 1986 and January 1987 by Estelle Ellis.

Dates: 1987 January 16
Found in: Special Collections and FIT Archive / Academic Affairs records / Gladys Marcus Library records / Special Collections and FIT Archive / FIT oral histories collection / The Bloomingdale's interviews, 1986 November 5-1987 January 16

The Bloomingdale's interviews, 1986 November 5-1987 January 16, 1986 November 5-1987 January 16

 sub-sub-sub-series
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3
Scope and Contents

This series consists of 14 oral history interviews, which discuss the history of Bloomingdale's, President Marvin Traub, as well as the store's current status and future plans. Interviews were conducted between November, 1986 and January 1987 by Estelle Ellis.

Dates: 1986 November 5-1987 January 16
Found in: Special Collections and FIT Archive / Academic Affairs records / Gladys Marcus Library records / Special Collections and FIT Archive / FIT oral histories collection

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