Skip to main content

Ellis, Estelle (1919-2012)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1919-2012

Biography

Estelle Ellis was born on November 12, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Hunter College in 1940, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Journalism, Ellis began a career in publishing. Ellis was crucial in the founding of Seventeen magazine in 1943, assisting Helen Valentine with design and advertising for the magazine. In 1958, Ellis founded Business Image, Incorporated, a creative marketing firm that stressed the importance of market and product positioning. Her company worked primarily with Condé Nast publications but other businesses, such as Yves Saint-Laurent Fragrances, Evan-Picone, AT&T, and Scoville, hired Business Image as well.

Beginning in the mid-1960s, Ellis began working with the Fashion Institute of Technology, creating programs and fundraising campaigns to help with financial support. During the 1990s, Ellis focused on writing, co-authoring At Home with Books: How Booklovers Live With and Care for Their Libraries (1995), At Home with Art: How Art Lovers Live With and Care for Their Treasures (1999), and The Booklover's Repair Kit: First Aid for Home Libraries (2000). Estelle Ellis passed away on July 12, 2012.

General Context

  • The Estelle Ellis Collection at the Smithsonian Institution: https://sova.si.edu/record/NMAH.AC.0423

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Bergdorf Goodman oral history, 1977 and 1994, bulk 1994, 1977 and 1994, bulk 1994

 sub-sub-sub-series
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.2
Scope and Contents

This series consists of oral history interviews that discuss the history of Bergdorf Goodman, as well as the store's status and future plans as they stood at the time. Interviews were conducted first in December 1977 by Robert Riley, and subsequently in July 1994 by Valerie Steele and Estelle Ellis with Stephen Elkin, Chairman, Berdorf Goodman, Dawn Mello, President, Bergdorf Goodman, Nena Goodman, widow of Andrew Goodman, Edwin Goodman, son of Andrew Goodman.

Dates: 1977 and 1994, bulk 1994

Saks Fifth Avenue oral history series, 1989 January 26 - 1990 June 3, 1989 January 26 - 1990 June 3

 sub-sub-sub-series
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.9
Scope and Contents Conducted by Estelle Ellis in the late 1980s into the early 1990s, this is a series of oral history interviews of executives who worked for Saks Fifth Avenue throughout the 20th century. Interviewees discuss the goals of the store's president, Adam Gimbel, others they worked with, and the fashion retail industry, and the various experiences they had while working for Saks Fifth Avenue.Interviewees include: Arnold Aronson, Bill Berta, Mel Jacobs, Allan R. Johnson, Paul...
Dates: 1989 January 26 - 1990 June 3

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

Filtered By

  • Subject: Department stores X

Additional filters: