Franklin Simon
Encyclopedia
Franklin Simon was the owner of Franklin Simon & Co.
, a department store in Manhattan
. The store was founded in February 1902, and his business partner was Herman A. Flurscheim
.
to Henry Simon, an immigrant from Frankfurt, Germany who worked as a wood carver and a cigarmaker. Franklin had three brothers and three sisters. In 1878, he worked in Stern Brothers' dry goods store at 32-36 West 23rd Street run by Louis Stern
. In 1902 he was the first to open a department store, the Franklin Simon Specialty Shops, above 34th street and was seen as a maverick by his peers. When he purchased the home of Orne Wilson for the creation of the store, others in the industry mocked him and said, "well if Simon wants to be next to a graveyard, it WILL be quiet!"—insinuating that the bold move into what was only a high-end residential area, that he would find no business.
He was called "The Merchant Prince" for his "sixth sense for what would be fashionable for the future"—forever changing the Fashion Industry with his visionary prowess and instinct.
He was the first to view 5th ave as a retail center-The visionary behind the "First Review" of American designers-which became what is now known as "Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He was the man who started "Buyers Week" and "Market Week", changing the way both manufacturers and retailers presented and sold new fashions, accessories, shoes etc. to each other-and in turn, generating millions of dollars in business not just for the fashion industry, but for all NYC businesses, from hotels, to restaurants, and theatres. He was the forefather of "outlet stores", calling for the opening of outlets to deal with season end merchandise.
Franklin Simon, along with Norman Bel Geddes and Donald Deskey, changed the future of department store display windows, creating such futuristic window displays that they stopped traffic on 5th Ave. Franklin Simon was also the first Department Store to stay open until 9 pm—a move that was frowned upon by its competitors—with it taking decades longer for other retailers to remain open until 9.
When two French orphans from the Titanic were brought to the store to buy them new clothes by their caretakers, Franklin Simon made sure they had whatever they needed at no cost.
He was given France's highest honor, "The Legion D'Honneur", for doing more than anyone to put American women in French clothing.
Franklin Simon married Frances and had three children: Arthur J. Simon (1892–1968); Helene Simon (1895-?); and George D. Simon (1898–1944). His two sons, and his son-in-law, Laurence Magee Lloyd (1893–1972), served as officers in the company. Simon bought the home of Mrs. Orme Wilson, sister of John Jacob Astor
, at 414 Fifth Avenue and opened his store there. Franklin's widow died in 1949. His grandson and namesake, Franklin Simon the 2nd, was blessed with his grandfather's fashion genius—becoming Senior VP for Bloomingdale's and being credited with giving them their Mens identity and being given the name "Dean of the Mens Industry". He then went on to become President of Filenes, VP of Burdines and finally CEO and President of Bullocks. Grandson George D. Simon was VP of Systems for Revlon Cosmetics for 15 yrs. Great-granddaughter Gail Simon (Chafik) has also continued the Simon fashion dynasty's trailblazing in the Fashion industry as a world renowned international model scout and photographer, discovering Victoria's Secret Supermodels Morgane Dubled and Rie Rassmussen, as well as scores of others, such as Theres Alexandersson one of Vogue's Top Ten New Models of 2011-and has, through her work as a top scout, played an integral part in the successful advertising for almost every major retail, cosmetic company and designer worldwide.
Civic minded, he was chairman of the centennial committee of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, which was responsible for saving Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, which would have been demolished if not for drive he created. He was a director of the Hospital for Joint Diseases and a member of the board of governors of the Stuyvesant Square Hospital. Simon was a member of the Empire State Luncheon Club, Westchester Country Club
, Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Uptown Club and the National Democratic Club. By 1932, he was spending time in Palm Beach, Florida
, where he opened a resort shop. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
, New York.
Franklin Simon & Co.
Franklin Simon & Co. was a department store chain specializing in women's fashions and furnishing based in New York City. The store was conceived as a collection of specialty shops rather than a traditional department store...
, a department store in 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...
. The store was founded in February 1902, and his business partner was Herman A. Flurscheim
Herman A. Flurscheim
Herman A. Flurscheim , or Hermann Flürscheim, was a pioneer dry goods merchant and art collector. He was one of the first merchants to move to Fifth Avenue. -Biography:...
.
Biography
He was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Henry Simon, an immigrant from Frankfurt, Germany who worked as a wood carver and a cigarmaker. Franklin had three brothers and three sisters. In 1878, he worked in Stern Brothers' dry goods store at 32-36 West 23rd Street run by Louis Stern
Louis Stern
Louis Stern, president of Louis Stern Fine Arts in West Hollywood, California, is a leading American art dealer with a wide range of interests and expertise. He established himself in the mid-1960s as a specialist in Impressionist and Modern art and gradually expanded his purview...
. In 1902 he was the first to open a department store, the Franklin Simon Specialty Shops, above 34th street and was seen as a maverick by his peers. When he purchased the home of Orne Wilson for the creation of the store, others in the industry mocked him and said, "well if Simon wants to be next to a graveyard, it WILL be quiet!"—insinuating that the bold move into what was only a high-end residential area, that he would find no business.
He was called "The Merchant Prince" for his "sixth sense for what would be fashionable for the future"—forever changing the Fashion Industry with his visionary prowess and instinct.
He was the first to view 5th ave as a retail center-The visionary behind the "First Review" of American designers-which became what is now known as "Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. He was the man who started "Buyers Week" and "Market Week", changing the way both manufacturers and retailers presented and sold new fashions, accessories, shoes etc. to each other-and in turn, generating millions of dollars in business not just for the fashion industry, but for all NYC businesses, from hotels, to restaurants, and theatres. He was the forefather of "outlet stores", calling for the opening of outlets to deal with season end merchandise.
Franklin Simon, along with Norman Bel Geddes and Donald Deskey, changed the future of department store display windows, creating such futuristic window displays that they stopped traffic on 5th Ave. Franklin Simon was also the first Department Store to stay open until 9 pm—a move that was frowned upon by its competitors—with it taking decades longer for other retailers to remain open until 9.
When two French orphans from the Titanic were brought to the store to buy them new clothes by their caretakers, Franklin Simon made sure they had whatever they needed at no cost.
He was given France's highest honor, "The Legion D'Honneur", for doing more than anyone to put American women in French clothing.
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
, at 414 Fifth Avenue and opened his store there. Franklin's widow died in 1949. His grandson and namesake, Franklin Simon the 2nd, was blessed with his grandfather's fashion genius—becoming Senior VP for Bloomingdale's and being credited with giving them their Mens identity and being given the name "Dean of the Mens Industry". He then went on to become President of Filenes, VP of Burdines and finally CEO and President of Bullocks. Grandson George D. Simon was VP of Systems for Revlon Cosmetics for 15 yrs. Great-granddaughter Gail Simon (Chafik) has also continued the Simon fashion dynasty's trailblazing in the Fashion industry as a world renowned international model scout and photographer, discovering Victoria's Secret Supermodels Morgane Dubled and Rie Rassmussen, as well as scores of others, such as Theres Alexandersson one of Vogue's Top Ten New Models of 2011-and has, through her work as a top scout, played an integral part in the successful advertising for almost every major retail, cosmetic company and designer worldwide.
Civic minded, he was chairman of the centennial committee of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, which was responsible for saving Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, which would have been demolished if not for drive he created. He was a director of the Hospital for Joint Diseases and a member of the board of governors of the Stuyvesant Square Hospital. Simon was a member of the Empire State Luncheon Club, Westchester Country Club
Westchester Country Club
The Westchester Country Club was founded by John McEntee Bowman, who hired Walter Travis to design two golf courses in the Town of Harrison, New York as a luxury resort hotel. The West Course was designed for championship play and has hosted PGA tournaments since 1963...
, Quaker Ridge Golf Club, Uptown Club and the National Democratic Club. By 1932, he was spending time in Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
, where he opened a resort shop. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx
Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City and is a designated National Historic Landmark.A rural cemetery located in the Bronx, it opened in 1863, in what was then southern Westchester County, in an area that was annexed to New York City in 1874.The cemetery covers more...
, New York.