Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf's

I should say at the outset that not only I am no fashionista, but that the fashion industry as a whole gives me the serious irrits. That should actually be a good starting point for this film as I came in with very low expectations, and I guess it's fair to say they were about met. This is, essentially, a bog standard, talking heads documentary, lacking any sort of dramatic arc or thread to hold the collection of anecdotes together. The only real point of interest for me was the creation of the seasonal window displays, which were breathtakingly and beautifully over the top, and without these this film would have rated a 3... maybe that's a bit harsh. As with any good documentary, I was hoping this film would make me care about something I didn't, but unfortunately what was not the case here.

Summertime - when all sorts of small films get to be seen - and so it is with Scatter My Ashes At Bergdorfs, a delightful film that could be seen as an infomercial for one of Manhattan's many department stores. It was fun to listen to the interviews of celebrities and near celebrities. The historical background was sparse, and must have left all the juicy bits out. A sly comparison between Anna Wintour and Dawn Mello made me feel as if I was now in on some clever insider joke or amusement. Most enchanting was the part of the film dealing with the annual creation of the fantastic Christmas windows. Oh to be a craftsman/woman employed to make fantasy pieces of art !! Many folks might look upon this film subject as too lightweight, and not worthy of their attention - and they would be wrong. We all need fantasy, and it can be found at Bergdorf's on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

I would not be writing this review if it weren't for the windows. While, to me, they have the potential to be absolutely spectacular, then all of a sudden, they added 10 times more things than necessary. At times, it was hard to find the clothing - it was lost in the mishmash of "everything including the kitchen sink" which appears to be the philosophy of the Bergdorf/Goodman's lead designer.

Less is more, little dude!!! Less is more!!

Or have one idea along a few windows.

Yes, I know no one asked me, but they honestly made me nervous - there was so much "stuff". And I am NOT a minimalist at all.

My heart also sank when Yoko and John bought 80 fur coats. (Yes, I'm one of "those", please don't ding me negatively for that!)

All in all, it was interesting to see. It did a lot for fashion - that most of us can't afford! HA!

But go to Canal St. And get a knock off. (NO!! I'm kidding!!) Nowadays, go on a website and find that special piece online at a decent price!!!

SCATTER MY ASHES AT BERGDORF'S looks at the interior workings of Manhattan's famous store, interviews some of their most celebrated employees and talks to a series of fashion designers and customers who have enjoyed an association with the store over the years. Divided into a series of sections - for example, looking at how designers get accepted, the business of selling, or the planning that goes into the Christmas window-dressing campaign - the documentary shows how the store maintains its aura of exclusivity, not just because of the outrageous prices it charges, but because of the way it treats its customers. Star salesperson Betty Halbreich tells her clients the truth about themselves, while persuading them to spend fantastic sums on clothing. In the shoe salon, staff take a conscious pride in selling what they perceive as top-of-the-range models. Running throughout the film is a narrative concentrating on Bergdorf's iconic window-displays for 2012 - entitled "The Carnival of the Animals," they are quite simply mind- boggling in their detail and richness, creating a never-never land of their own that draws customers as well as tourists and window-shoppers. The interviews with the fashion designers are perhaps the film's least interesting aspect; it is much more instructive to look at the way in which hard-edged buyer Linda Fargo both nurtures and directs potential designers; she knows what she wants, and is prepared to get it at any cost. While Miele's film celebrates the store's durability - it even managed to weather the 2008 economic crisis - it perhaps lacks a sense of historical background: we could have found out more about how and why it attained its prestige in the first place. It remains highly entertaining nonetheless.

I must disagree with the naysayers. I enjoyed this documentary. And I think that those who knock it are doing so from a starting point of viewing it with the expectation that it is a fashion documentary. It is not that. This is a documentary of Bergdorf Goodman. A retailer.

I think that anyone who has an appreciation of history and art will enjoy this film. Bergdorf Goodman is a success story, known the world wide. It's a family owned department store that broke new ground in many ways -- in business understanding and scope, in architecture, marketing, mentoring, sales, window art, and building a phenomenally loyal clientele. In essence, this is a documentary of an American family owned business success. Part of that success has been to discover designer talent, teach and mentor them, create a Designer and a Line. You'll notice that every designer interviewed is both radiant and reverent when discussing Bergdorf Goodman. No one could have done what BG did for their career, except BG. And they know that.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the coverage of the window displays. The behind the scenes work and artistry that go into that is a revelation. And a celebration.