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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 36 Collections and/or Records:

Rosemarie Bravo interview, 1993 August 26, 1993 August 26

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.6.4
Scope and Contents

Interview with Rose Marie Bravo about Annette Green and the Fragrance Foundation. In the interview, Estelle Ellis questions Bravo on the fragrance industry, it's history and current state. Bravo discusses the importance of Green and other leaders in the industry, such as Estée Lauder.

Dates: 1993 August 26

Russell Stravitz interview, 1987 January 16, 1987 January 16

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.14
Scope and Contents In this interview, Stravitz focuses mostly on the challenges and successes he has faced in trying to expand the Bloomingdale's model into other markets. In doing this, he covers the importance of paying attention to each market's regional needs as well as ways in which marketing can be tailored to suit a particular market, culturally. At the same time, Stravitz explores what the New York store represents and how that can be carried through in other markets. A larger discussion of the...
Dates: 1987 January 16

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

Steven Elkin interview, 1994 July 13, 1994 July 13

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.2.4
Scope and Contents

Interview with Steven Elkin about his relationship and history with the Bergdorf Goodman store.

Dates: 1994 July 13

Terry Schaefer interview, 1986 November 21, 1986 November 21

 Item
Identifier: SC.FITA.3.20.4.9.3.7
Scope and Contents This conversation takes place only a few weeks after Schaefer had joined Bloomingdale's as the Vice President of Marketing. Schaefer gives a quick recap of the previous 13 years of his career before talking about his thoughts on his new boss, Marvin S. Traub, as well as his new position at Bloomingdale's. Coming from first a marketing background and then, briefly, a retail background, Schaefer discusses the importance of retailers being fully aware of what people are reading, wearing,...
Dates: 1986 November 21

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