Dawn
Dawn
The first monograph on Dawn Mello in a lavishly illustrated book that spans her impressive career.
By John A. Tiffany
Foreword by Tom Ford
Pointed Leaf Press is proud to present the first monograph on Dawn Mello in a lavishly illustrated book that spans her impressive career. In 1975, Mello was hired as Fashion Director and Vice President of Bergdorf Goodman to turn the store around and remake it in her image, by then CEO, Ira Neimark. Together they turned the once dowdy department store into the retail center of luxury fashion. Mello’s strategy not only redefined and repositioned Bergdorf Goodman, but in doing so, she discovered and encouraged the rise of exciting modern designers, while inaugurating an exuberant, new type of fashion shows. Mello left Bergdorf Goodman in the late 1980’s to revitalize the fading and unfashionable Gucci. Her time in Italy at Gucci in the late 80’s and early 90’s is the modern case study for resuscitating a luxury brand and discovering the exceptional and exact talent to breathe in new life. She hired Tom Ford to oversee women’s ready-to-wear and Richard Lambertson as design director. By the time she left, Gucci was back on top as a bonafide high-fashion luxury brand. She has spent decades identifying talent, pursuing designers, and helping launch and nurture their careers: Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Gian Franco Ferre, Azzedine Alaia, Claude Montana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Jo Malone–and the list goes on. Discover the amazing and pioneering career of the formidable Dawn Mello.
John A. Tiffany grew up in California’s Santa Ynez Valley and later graduated from Pepperdine University’s International Affairs program. He speaks all over the world and appears frequently on television, radio, and film, and is a frequent pundit in newspapers, magazines, and online. He is the author of Eleanor Lambert: Still Here published by Pointed Leaf Press.
“A rare blend of grace, power and vision, Mello had an uncanny knack for spotting and nurturing design talent, reviving brands to fashion prominence and succeeding in a male-dominated retail industry.” –Women’s Wear Daily
Hardcover
208 Pages / 9.5” X 12.125”
ISBN: 978-1-938461-95-8