Marcus has earned his public-affairs sage status. For a man approaching his 10th decade on this planet, that may sound like a confining request, and Marcus casts his mind back considerably farther to make an illuminating comparison. I came to the business in 1926, when Neiman Marcus was 19 years old. I remember we had meetings about how we should handle these new people coming into our store, people with a lot of money but little experience in matters of expensive taste. Many businesses were happy to sell them anything they wanted, but we were determined to educate the consumers about the arc of fashion.
People learn quickly if they're treated with respect.
There are those who get angry or feel insulted, but they likely wouldn't become faithful customers, anyway. And like most stereotypes, it was kindled by an ember of truth. You wonder if she left anything at home. We have tried to encourage people who might be overwhelmed by sudden wealth to dress with reserve and composure. Some say Stanley Marcus is single-handedly responsible for bringing awareness of global trends in attire to the city's elite.