Bergdorf Goodman Celebrates 125 Years With 850 Exclusive Creations From Fashion’s Most Prestigious Maisons

Few department stores could ask more than 100 of fashion’s most prestigious maisons to create something exclusively for their birthday. Bergdorf Goodman can.

The Fifth Avenue institution celebrates its 125th anniversary with more than 850 exclusive creations and special editions spanning fashion, shoes, accessories, jewelry and beauty. Manolo Blahnik, Alaïa, Schiaparelli, Michael Kors Collection, Akris, Brunello Cucinelli, Brioni, Creed and Verdura are among the names participating, each interpreting the occasion through its own savoir-faire.

It is an appropriately extravagant anniversary for a retailer that has shaped New York mode since 1901. Bergdorf Goodman began as an atelier before becoming one of Fifth Avenue’s defining luxury addresses. Known as much for its eye for emerging talent as for the relationships it has cultivated with established designers.

Manolo Blahnik Celebrates After Dark

Manolo Blahnik takes a more evening-focused approach, dressing familiar creations in metallic nappa leather and crystals.

Bergdorf Goodman has long been part of Manolo Blahnik’s New York story, and the anniversary collection plays directly to the designer’s particular understanding of glamour: feminine and intended for well after sunset.

Christian Louboutin and Valentino also created special-edition shoes and bags for the anniversary, turning the footwear floor into its own celebration of the art of the shoe.

Alaïa Revisits a Defining New York Moment

For Alaïa, the anniversary reaches back to 1982. The maison created a six-piece capsule inspired by Azzedine Alaïa’s 1982 presentation at Bergdorf Goodman, the designer’s New York debut and a defining chapter in his relationship with the retailer.

The collection includes a chocolate pony-hair leather coat, a black and silver studded skater skirt with a coordinating dress, an engineered knit, a deep green velvet creation, and a chocolate dress featuring the V-shape first seen on the 1982 runway.

Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Dawn Mello discovered Alaïa after noticing Paris fashion editors wearing his designs and invited him to New York. His 1982 show at Bergdorf Goodman was photographed from the audience by Andy Warhol, and the collection reportedly sold through within two days.

Schiaparelli, Michael Kors & A Very Bergdorf Sense of Occasion

Taking the anniversary into more theatrical territory, Schiaparelli created a series of rare global exclusives, channeling the maison’s taste for surrealism, opulence, and objects designed to be collected as much as worn.

Michael Kors Collection marks a double celebration. Bergdorf Goodman turns 125, while Michael Kors celebrates 45 years in fashion. The connection feels particularly New York, bringing together two names deeply woven into the city’s fashion history.

Shifting the mood again, Akris revisits its archives through jewel-toned evening creations, while Libertine turns Bergdorf Goodman itself into the motif. The Fifth Avenue facade and grand foyer chandelier appear across custom pieces, translating two familiar New York signatures into fashion.

Fifth Avenue Dresses for 125

Bergdorf Goodman’s famous Fifth Avenue windows have been reimagined in the retailer’s signature lavender, mixing archival imagery with fall fashion and references to its 125-year history. The windows have long been part of Bergdorf’s particular art de vivre, where retail display becomes fashion theater for anyone walking along Fifth Avenue.

The anniversary officially began with a September 9 celebration at the store, gathering designers, clients, and familiar faces from New York fashion. Michael Kors, Wes Gordon, Jason Wu, Nicky Hilton, Padma Lakshmi, Rachel Zoe, Tina Leung and Prabal Gurung were among the attendees, while Ravyn Lenae performed in Valentino.

Even the restaurant joined the birthday mood, with a special cocktail menu featuring the 125 Starlight Martini, Miss Bergdorf, The Chandelier, and 1901. It is perhaps the most Bergdorf way possible to toast a department store anniversary.

Very Bergdorf

The celebrations continue on the printed page with Very Bergdorf, a new Assouline book tracing 125 years through more than 80 defining moments. With an introduction by Wendy Goodman, the volume explores the personalities, designers, windows and creative relationships that built Bergdorf Goodman’s mythology. It also captures something the anniversary capsules make particularly clear: Bergdorf Goodman's influence lies in deciding what deserves space on Fifth Avenue before everyone else agrees.

Discover the Bergdorf Goodman 125th anniversary Capsule