Bergdorf Blondes
Encyclopedia
Bergdorf Blondes was the début novel
of Plum Sykes
, an English-born fashion writer and New York “it girl
”. It was first published in the USA by Miramax Books, and in Britain by Viking, in 2004. Penguin published a paperback edition in 2005.
Bergdorf Blondes was a quirky and highly successful example of “chick lit
”, selling more than a quarter of a million copies worldwide. It was set among the smart Park Avenue
“in-crowd” of Upper Manhattan
, New York
, with which Plum Sykes herself was associated as a contributing editor of American Vogue
. Among the 44 personal acknowledgements in Sykes’ preface, the first was of Anna Wintour
, the editor of Vogue who recruited Sykes from its British counterpart in the mid 1990s, and the last, the entrepreneur Toby Rowland, whom Sykes married in 2005.
in Candace Bushnell
’s Sex and the City
(HBO 1998-2004), to which some reviewers saw Bergdorf Blondes as a successor.
As a story about an English woman moving in fashionable circles in New York, the narrator (“moi”), whose “personal bible” is Anita Loos
’ novel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
(1925), appears to owe something to Sykes herself. The other main character is her best friend, Julie Bergdorf (“the biggest princess
of them all”), who is heir to the real-life Bergdorf Goodman
store, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This was founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf, an Alsatian
immigrant from whom Edwin Goodman purchased it in 1906. The journalist Ariel Leve wrote that Bergdorf Goodman "is like a five-star hotel ... You feel like you're spending money by simply breathing". Sykes has said that Julie Bergdorf was “slightly inspired” by the retail heiress Elizabeth Woolworth.
Julie is rumoured to have her hair coloured at Bergdorf every thirteen days; hence, the eponymous term, “Bergdorf blondes” (or "BBs"), for those who are able to emulate its precise colour, which is likened to that of the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (1966–99). When Julie feels unable to bide her time for a particular fashion accessory, such as a Hermès
Birkin
bag, for which there is a three-year wait, she shoplifts from the family store – “kind of stealing from yourself”.
” for “rehab”; “FOB/G” (Friend of President Bill Clinton
/George W Bush); “Ana” (anorexic). On first arriving in New York, the narrator discovers that "Brazilians" are not only men from Latin America, but total bikini waxes. To assist the reader, there is a glossary of “Manhattan shorthand”.
Sykes' second novel, The Debutante Divorcée, followed in 2006.
Debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel an author publishes. Debut novels are the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to publish in the future...
of Plum Sykes
Plum Sykes
Victoria "Plum" Sykes is an English-born fashion-writer, novelist and New York socialite. "Plum" was a childhood nickname .- Early years and antecedents :...
, an English-born fashion writer and New York “it girl
It girl
"It girl" is a term for a young woman who possess the quality "It", absolute attraction.The early usage of the concept "it" in this meaning may be seen in a story by Rudyard Kipling: "It isn't beauty, so to speak, nor good talk necessarily. It's just 'It'."...
”. It was first published in the USA by Miramax Books, and in Britain by Viking, in 2004. Penguin published a paperback edition in 2005.
Bergdorf Blondes was a quirky and highly successful example of “chick lit
Chick lit
Chick lit is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly. The genre sold well during the 1990s and 2000s, with chick lit titles topping bestseller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick lit...
”, selling more than a quarter of a million copies worldwide. It was set among the smart Park Avenue
Park Avenue (Manhattan)
Park Avenue is a wide boulevard that carries north and southbound traffic in New York City borough of Manhattan. Through most of its length, it runs parallel to Madison Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east....
“in-crowd” of Upper Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, with which Plum Sykes herself was associated as a contributing editor of American Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
. Among the 44 personal acknowledgements in Sykes’ preface, the first was of Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour
Anna Wintour, OBE is the British-born editor-in-chief of American Vogue, a position she has held since 1988. With her trademark pageboy bob haircut and sunglasses, Wintour has become an institution throughout the fashion world, widely praised for her eye for fashion trends and her support for...
, the editor of Vogue who recruited Sykes from its British counterpart in the mid 1990s, and the last, the entrepreneur Toby Rowland, whom Sykes married in 2005.
The book and its context
Bergdorf Blondes is a satirical miscellany of high fashion and style a few years into the 21st century – three years after the terrorist attacks on New York of 11 September 2001, an event which is mentioned once, but impinges not at all. Its style of narration is similar to that of Carrie BradshawCarrie Bradshaw
Carrie Preston is the fictional narrator and lead character of the HBO sitcom/drama Sex and the City, portrayed by actress Sarah Jessica Parker. She is a semi-autobiographical character created by Candace Bushnell, who published the book Sex and the City, based on her own columns in the New York...
in Candace Bushnell
Candace Bushnell
Candace Bushnell is an American author and columnist based in New York City. She is best known for writing a column that was anthologized in a book, Sex and the City, which in turn became the basis for a popular television series and its subsequent film adaptations.-Personal life:Bushnell was born...
’s Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
(HBO 1998-2004), to which some reviewers saw Bergdorf Blondes as a successor.
As a story about an English woman moving in fashionable circles in New York, the narrator (“moi”), whose “personal bible” is Anita Loos
Anita Loos
Anita Loos was an American screenwriter, playwright and author.-Early life:Born Corinne Anita Loos in Sisson, California , where her father, R. Beers Loos, had opened a tabloid newspaper for which her mother, Minerva "Minnie" Smith did most of the work of a newspaper publisher...
’ novel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (novel)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes: The Illuminating Diary of a Professional Lady is a comic novel written by Anita Loos first published in 1925. Loos was inspired to write the book after watching a sexy blonde turn intellectual H. L. Mencken into a lovestruck schoolboy. Mencken, a close friend, actually...
(1925), appears to owe something to Sykes herself. The other main character is her best friend, Julie Bergdorf (“the biggest princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
of them all”), who is heir to the real-life Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman
Bergdorf Goodman is a luxury goods department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The company was founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf and was later owned and managed by Edwin Goodman, and later his son Andrew Goodman....
store, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. This was founded in 1899 by Herman Bergdorf, an Alsatian
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
immigrant from whom Edwin Goodman purchased it in 1906. The journalist Ariel Leve wrote that Bergdorf Goodman "is like a five-star hotel ... You feel like you're spending money by simply breathing". Sykes has said that Julie Bergdorf was “slightly inspired” by the retail heiress Elizabeth Woolworth.
Julie is rumoured to have her hair coloured at Bergdorf every thirteen days; hence, the eponymous term, “Bergdorf blondes” (or "BBs"), for those who are able to emulate its precise colour, which is likened to that of the late Carolyn Bessette Kennedy (1966–99). When Julie feels unable to bide her time for a particular fashion accessory, such as a Hermès
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837, today specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear...
Birkin
Birkin Bag
The Birkin bag is a handmade purse by Hermès and named after actress and singer Jane Birkin. The bag is a symbol of wealth due to its high price and elusiveness to the public....
bag, for which there is a three-year wait, she shoplifts from the family store – “kind of stealing from yourself”.
Its language
Rather like the “Slayer slang” of the TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (WB/UPN 1998-2003), Bergdorf Blondes employs a rich vocabulary of “in” words and abbreviations – “ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
” for “rehab”; “FOB/G” (Friend of President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
/George W Bush); “Ana” (anorexic). On first arriving in New York, the narrator discovers that "Brazilians" are not only men from Latin America, but total bikini waxes. To assist the reader, there is a glossary of “Manhattan shorthand”.
Sykes' second novel, The Debutante Divorcée, followed in 2006.