Burton Tansky interview, 1990 January 26, 1990 January 26
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 Leblang, Helen O'Hagan, Jay Rossbach, Ellen Saltzman, Doris Shaw, Robert Suslow, Burton Tansky, Norman Wechsler, Charlotte Kramer, Sid Mayar, Janet Reese, and William Lucas
Dates
- Creation: 1990 January 26
Creator
- Tansky, Burton, 1937- (1937-) (Person)
Language of Materials
English Latin
Conditions Governing Access
Access is open to researchers by appointment at the Fashion Institute of Technology Library, Department of Special Collections and FIT Archive. If you have any questions, or wish to schedule an appointment contact us at [email protected] or call (212) 217-4385.
Biographical / Historical
Burton Tansky was born on November 30th, 1937 in Pittsburg, PA. After graduating from University of Pittsburg in 1961, Tansky worked as a buyer at department stores Filene's and Kauffman's before moving into an executive role at I. Magnin's and then working as president and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue from 1980 to 1989. Tansky became the CEO and Chairman of Bergdorf Goodman in 1990, a position he still held at the time of this interview. Tansky has received a number of industry awards, including the Superstar Award from Fashion Group International in 2006, a Visionaries! Award in 2005 from the Museum of Arts and Design, the 2004 Gold Medal Award from the National Retail Federation, and, in 2002, appointment as a “Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur” by the French government for his promotion of French-made merchandise in America. This interview was conducted by Estelle Ellis, founder of Business, Inc., a business market research firm.
Full Extent
From the Sub-Group: 1 placeholder
Physical Description
- Original media: 1 audio cassette and paper transcription - Digital media and transcription files
General
Burton Tansky was born on November 30th, 1937 in Pittsburg, PA. After graduating from University of Pittsburg in 1961, Tansky worked as a buyer at department stores Filene's and Kauffman's before moving into an executive role at I. Magnin's and then working as president and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue from 1980 to 1989. Tansky became the CEO and Chairman of Bergdorf Goodman in 1990, a position he still held at the time of this interview. Tansky has received a number of industry awards, including the Superstar Award from Fashion Group International in 2006, a Visionaries! Award in 2005 from the Museum of Arts and Design, the 2004 Gold Medal Award from the National Retail Federation, and, in 2002, appointment as a “Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur” by the French government for his promotion of French-made merchandise in America. This interview was conducted by Estelle Ellis, founder of Business, Inc., a business market research firm.
General
Published
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository