Paul Leblang interview, 1989 December 28, 1989 December 28
Scope and Contents
In this 1989 interview Estelle Ellis interviews Paul Leblang about his time as a Senior Vice-President and Marketing Executive at Saks Fifth Avenue. They discuss the evolution of Saks' folio (or catalogue) business; the creation and implementation of the Fifth Avenue Club; the need for Saks to expand beyond the purview of evening wear; and how a store must expand while still maintaining consistent quality control. They touch upon the changing roles of women in society and how stores must adapt to this generational shift and how the oversaturation of retail stores in American society led to the closure of many of the retail greats, including Bonwit Teller.
Dates
- Creation: 1989 December 28
Creator
- Leblang, Paul (Person)
- Ellis, Estelle (1919-2012) (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
Paul Leblang was a Senior Vice-President, Director of Marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1975-1990. In 1979, he was elected to the Retail Advertising Hall of Fame by the Retail Advertising Conference and was named Retail Man of the Year. He is a recipient of a Silver Medal from the National Retail Merchants Association, and the 1993 Edward Mayer Jr. Award from the Direct Marketing Association. He holds a Ph.D. and MBA from New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and served as an adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Biographical / Historical
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.
Full Extent
From the Sub-Group: 1 placeholder
Physical Description
Original media: 1 audio cassette
General
Paul Leblang was a Senior Vice-President, Director of Marketing at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1975-1990. In 1979, he was elected to the Retail Advertising Hall of Fame by the Retail Advertising Conference and was named Retail Man of the Year. He is a recipient of a Silver Medal from the National Retail Merchants Association, and the 1993 Edward Mayer Jr. Award from the Direct Marketing Association. He holds a Ph.D. and MBA from New York University Graduate School of Business Administration and served as an adjunct Professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
General
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
Published
Subject
- Leblang, Paul (subject, Person)
- Ellis, Estelle (1919-2012) (subject, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and FIT Archive Repository