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Dallas Historical Society’s Tom Alexander Event Creates NM Reunion

Sunday afternoon’s “A Conversation with Tom Alexander (pictured)” hosted by the Dallas Historical Society was supposed to be focused on Tom’s new book, Stanley Marcus: The Relentless Reign of a Merchant Prince. That sounded so very proper and intellectually stimulating. Actually, it gave hundreds a reason for a Neiman Marcus reunion.

Tom’s chat with Rena Pederson on stage at the Margaret and Al Hill Lecture Hall of Fair Park’s Hall of State literally set the stage for former NM-ers to compare notes. Thanks to the efforts of DHS’s Diane Bumpas and Jack Bunning, barely any seats were left. The crowd was made up of former NM staffers and forever-after NM clients. Front rowing it were former NM pr gal Barbara Womble with Caroline Rose Hunt (pictured right with Barbara) and Charles Simmons. Dead center on the front row was Cody Baker with two Dallas favorites, Ebby Halliday Acers and her trusty Girl Friday Betty Turner (pictured center with Ebby and Cody).

The exchange between veteran journalist Rena and former NM marketing guru Tom was filled with nuggets of new information and old tales about Stanley and his involvement in Fortnights, His and Hers gifts, and antics that made NM legendary. Names like Sophia Loren and Lord Mountbatten were dropped like prices during the vintage NM Garage Sales. (Oh, how we loved that red pen that slashed numbers!)

Rena (pictured) recalled the Fortnight which Princess Grace and Prince Rainier of Monaco attended. At that time Rena was a reporter for UPI and Julia Sweeney was coordinating pr for NM. Still-amazed Rena described how Julia managed to get Rena in for a question with the royal pair: “With everything you have, what would be the one thing you would want?” The Princess hesitated making Rena think that she had just asked the dumbest question ever. Then Grace responded, “Health for my children.” Looking at Rainier, Grace asked, “What would you want?” He answered, “Time.”

Tom even provided a slide show that included Stanley seated next to Brigitte Bardot, with Stanley blowing out some candles. This photo was misleading because the two did not have great chemistry and immediately after the photo was taken, they more or less ignored each other the rest of the evening, squelching any plans for BB to attend a French Fortnight.

Sorry, but we’re not going to share any more tales with you. You’ll just have to buy the book. They’re all in there.

However, we will tell you about the post-chat snippets that took place in the Great Hall.

Capy Alexander (pictured) was taking photos and catching up with old friends, while husband/author Tom signed book after book after book. . . Patsy Donosky was a little weary after grand-babysitting this weekend. Seems dotter Janie Condon was recovering from a broken back. Now Janie doesn’t just recover in her home or a plain old hospital. Nope! The recovery coincided with her wedding anniversary getaway to Hawaii. The docs gave her permission to make the journey only if she traveled first class. That girl knows how to mend in style. . . . Former NM pr cohorts Linda Faulkner and Keith Nix were like champion race horses at the starting gate as they coordinated pr-type stuff. . .Residential real estate fashion showstopper Erin Mathews in a delicious black knit Prada with jeweled collar and Chanel boots was chatting it up with Shelby Marcus (pictured left with Erin) after Ms. Shelby got husband/Stanley’s baby bro Lawrence (pictured) seated next to Tom to sign books. Erin had to rush back to the office for a big, fat contract waiting for her. . . Former NM sales associate Nancy Halbreich was mightily relieved after an ER situation with her nine-year old pooch requiring IV’s and lots of paw holding. . . Speaking of pooch problems, Mr. Stanley’s former assistant Deborah Fugit (pictured) was all smiles despite pending surgery on her Daisy, an adorable Westie. . . Ruth Altshuler recalled how she not only chaired the 1973 British Fortnight with Lord Mountbatten, but later visited him. Seems husband Ken also recalled that the great-grandson of Queen Victoria put his royal hand on Ruth’s knee. Oh, those hot Brits! . . . Sandy Marple joined the long line of folks including Barbara Boettingheimer (pictured) waiting to get their book signed by Tom. . . Bud Knight made the rounds in a camel hair vicuna overcoat. If you were very good, he showed the label inside the coat, which read “Vicuna coat designed for Neiman-Marcus.” And, yes, the hyphen between Neiman and Marcus was on the label. Those were the days before corporate (post Stanley) banished it from the logo. . . Marjie Rozell recalled the days of modeling in the 60′s with makeup pro/daughter Kim Rozell and gal pal Oma Church (pictured right with Marjie and Kim). . . Carolyn Cobb grabbed her autographed books and had to scramble off giggling, “Oh, the books that could be writtten.”