African American Women and Neiman Marcus

My Day

By Dr. J. Ester Davis (esterdavis2000@gmail.com)

Texas stretches 773 miles from east-to-west and 800 miles north-to-south and it’s all full of fashionable African American Women who trend and reset the course of fashion.

Before my Neiman Marcus days, I actually started modeling at Davis Apparel Shop which was located for over 30 years in South Dallas, where it was affectionally called ‘the black Neiman Marcus’.  Connie and her husband, Owner and CEO, welcomed buses and car loads of black women from the DFW surrounding towns and communities, i.e., Forney, Corsicana, Buffalo, Jasper, Lindale, Marshall, Mineola, Big Sandy, Gilmer, Longview, etc., at every Fall and Spring Fashion Week.

In Dallas during “Fashion Week” we had Davis Apparel with tons of Texas Instruments glamor girls, Dallas Cowboy wives and cheerleaders, dynamism and confidence.  Houston had Diana’s Boutique with Jackie O, a daring designer with stately magnificent poise. Possibly one of the most influential black designers of the age. The most unforgettable times before women-of-color could try on clothes in white stores was our ability to design and sew our garments.  This was a huge job trade leading into alterations, zipper repair, hemming and the polished image.  The ‘Age of Harlem’ writes that the real fashion shows were held on Saturday Nights by black women with their elaborate decoration and froufrou where white designers sought to create and capture these images.  But great style comes with a personality to wear it.

In preparation for my speaking engagement at Neiman Marcus a few weeks ago, I needed help from a few very fashion legends. The first thing that came to mind was the African American sensational weddings that broke through the aristocratic mold after we could physically go into high-end couture stores and try clothes on.  The gown that Mrs. Cash bought for her wedding in 1951 has a very unique story that comes with it.  Of course, she could not walk in Neiman Marcus and try the gown on. Her Mother-in-Law worked there.  The dress was purchased and sent to Maxine Cash.  “Max” told me that the dress was not her size.  It was too small.  To make lemonade out of lemons, she lost weight to gain entry into the gown and the rest is history.

The Neiman Marcus brand is most renown, highly respected and has maintain status in the luxury world. The African American Woman has been a part of that legacy and stardom.  In addition, Stanley Marcus, a master retailer, was accessible and ‘entertained’ women-of-color in fine style. I found a few of these early Neiman Marcus shoppers who personally knew Stanley Marcus.  Despite his obvious schedule, Stanley Marcus remained busy in civic and cultural communities setting a sophiscated tone for the other retailers that were emulating that grandeur.  Years later hosting my show at Time Warner Cable, I interviewed Stanley Marcus when he donated several priceless world class items from his personal library to the public. I found him jovial and easy-to-talk to.

My favorite quote …. “Make life exciting and you will live longer”.  Stanley Marcus.