Legendary New York-based department store Bloomingdale’s is turning 150 this year.
And starting this September during New York Fashion Week, the retailer will kick-off its milestone celebration with exclusive product collaborations, consumer experiences, pop-ups, special events across the country, and more, Bloomingdale’s said in a statement.
Billed as “a celebration like no other,” the festivities will continue into the holiday season with special programming at select stores including the 59th Street flagship in NYC, and select stores including South Coast Plaza, North Michigan Avenue, Valley Fair, and Chestnut Hill.
“This significant milestone represents a unique moment in Bloomingdale’s rich history to not only celebrate our heritage, but to also look ahead to our next chapter,” Tony Spring, CEO of Bloomingdale’s said in a statement. “Some of fashion’s best brands started here, trends have been ignited here, and discoveries are made here every day. Bloomingdale’s has always been a brand that inspires, bringing people, style, culture, and technology together. It’s like no other store in the world, and will continue to be so for decades to come.”
“From the world class collaborations to innovative new experiences, our 150th is all about celebrating with, and also giving back to our customers, colleagues, partners, and everyone who has been a part of making Bloomingdale’s the icon it is today,” added Frank Berman, EVP and CMO at Bloomingdale’s. “Together, we’ll inspire the next generation of shoppers through the creative and captivating Bloomingdale’s lens. You only turn 150 once, and this monumental celebration will be one of the biggest and brightest moments in our company’s history to-date.”
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See here some of the many special initiatives that will debut later this year.
Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary Exclusive Collection: On Sept. 8, Bloomingdale’s will launch a selection of over 300 exclusive products and styles developed in partnership with top brands and designers, including special luxury selections, across women’s and men’s fashion, accessories, beauty, home, fine jewelry and more. Some of the participating brands include Gucci, Balenciaga, Prada, Valentino, David Yurman, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Byredo, and many more.
“As a multi-category luxury retailer, we are proud to be able to feature the most coveted selection of brands and products across every single department,” said Denise Magid, EVP and GMM at Bloomingdale’s. “Having such an impressive group of the most in-demand designers and labels partner with us to create exclusive, limited-edition designs to commemorate our 150th anniversary is truly an honor, and we could not be more excited about the collection they’ve created.”
Designer Pop-Ups and Installations: Throughout the fall season, select Bloomingdale’s stores will host special experiences as part of the 150th Anniversary celebration in collaboration with a line-up of design partners and brands. Immersive pop-up shops, trunk shows and original, shoppable installations will be activated with brands ranging from La Prairie, Ralph Lauren, and Louis Vuitton to Bernardaud, Devialet and many more.
Virtual Shopping Experience: Bloomingdale’s will launch an immersive virtual store with Emperia, a pioneer in e-commerce’s technology frontier, in celebration of this milestone. Debuting Sept. 8, the futuristic virtual space will allow visitors to discover exclusive products, play games and unlock a surprise and delight room.
Limited Edition Big Brown Bags: The retailer’s world-famous Big Brown Bag created a sensation when it first hit stores in 1973—and remains one of the most iconic—and recognizable—bags of all time. Originally designed by legendary graphic designer Massimo Vignelli, the presciently sustainable shopper gets a special anniversary update with five designer-inspired styles, available at all stores for a limited time beginning Sept. 8.
A Party Like No Other: Bloomingdale’s will host Harper’s Bazaar’s annual “Icons” event at its 59th Street flagship on Sept. 9. The fun and festive NYFW cocktail party draws inspiration from iconic New York City nostalgia and will bring together the biggest names influencing style and culture today. The evening will also feature a surprise performance by one of today’s most popular new talents. That same night, Bloomingdale’s and Harper’s Bazaar will take the celebration on the road with mini versions of the event at Bloomingdale’s across the U.S., including top markets Florida, Massachusetts, and California.
Celebrating Saturday’s Generation: On Saturday, Sept. 10, all Bloomingdale’s stores will host an Anniversary Bash. These events will take inspiration from “Saturday’s Generation” – a term endearingly attributed to Bloomingdale’s clientele in the 1970s – with storewide interactive experiences. Customers will be invited to partake in the festivities with in-store events, special shopping activations, entertainment and more.
The Makeup Date x 150th: Bloomingdale’s will bring a special 150 anniversary beauty experience to life, in all stores, with a New York-inspired beauty festival. On Saturday, Sept. 17, customers can enjoy a curated beauty experience at counter events and offerings. On the same day, select stores will also host a Beauty Trend Show. Top beauty customers will receive special perks and gifts from featured brands, have the chance to participate in brand partner trend discussions, enjoy complimentary treats and more. Additionally, Bloomingdale’s will kick-off The Makeup Date events via Bloomingdale’s On Screen on Wednesday, Sept. 14. This virtual event will feature fashion director finds and a trend conversation with top beauty experts.
150th Anniversary Branding: Bloomingdale’s is developing dedicated 150th Anniversary branding that will be featured throughout the campaign and integrated into special consumer experiences including limited edition anniversary merchandise collections, a dedicated 150th Anniversary campaign digital experience, and more.
Community Engagement: Throughout the anniversary campaign, Bloomingdale’s will be partnering with organizations, landmarks, and institutions both in New York City and beyond to celebrate, give back and support the communities it serves.
Founded in 1872, the iconic retailer is now part of Macy’s, Inc. and currently operates 34 mainline Bloomingdale’s stores, 20 outlet shops, and 1 small format Bloomies location.
