Bergdorf Goodman’s icon Betty Halbreich dead at 96 as Kim Cattrall leads tributes to the personal shopper to the stars

STYLE queen Betty Halbreich has died at 96 after decades working as a personal shopper at the iconic Bergdorf Goodman.

In her years as a professional stylist, Halbreich served celebrity clients including Hollywood personalities, socialites, and politicians, with Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall leading the tributes after her death.

2019 Getty Images

2014 Getty Images

2014 Getty Images

The fashion icon died on Saturday of natural causes, Women’s Wear Daily reported after Halbreich’s children Kathy and John issued a statement.

“Our mom led a compelling  life, much of which was spent at her favorite place in the world, at her Bergdorf Goodman desk – her room with a view, tossing zingers while offering those BG tea sandwiches to whomever graced her office,” they said.

“From the young lawyer taking a case to court for the first time to decking someone out for an incredible gala evening, she was immensely proud to dress women and help them chase their dreams.

“Despite all of the glitz and glamour, she held no pretensions – she was both a realist and a romantic,” they added.

“You didn’t have to be famous or a billionaire to enter Betty’s orbit of care and advice.

“We will all miss her wisdom, sometimes caustic humor, and passion.”

Halbreich was considered the world’s most celebrated personal shopper for nearly four decades and continued to work into her 90s, even after battling through a frayed marriage, a nervous breakdown and an attempted suicide.

The shopper also faced several health battles, including a fight to overcome polio and then cancer.

She had a great influence on trends within the industry and drove generations of shoppers.

Close friends, including famous actress Kim Cattrall, shared messages of love and remembrance for Halbreich on social media.

“To the indomitable, unflappable legend Betty Halbreich.
You will be greatly missed,” Cattrall captioned the post .

The post has nearly 1000 likes with several social media users also grieving for the icon.

“And it seemed like she would live and contribute till forever. So much strength, energy and wisdom,” commented one user.

Mallory Andrews, Bergdorf’s former senior vice president for marketing, added that Halbriech was “one of a kind.”

“You never knew who you might see when you stopped by Betty’s office,” they told WWD.

“I remember one December seeing Walter Cronkite who was there to select his wife’s Christmas gift as he did every year.

“And then there were Joan Rivers, Betty Buckley, Lena Dunham and the list goes on.

“Bergdorf’s will not be the same without her.”

LASTING LEGACY

In her memoir, “I’ll Drink to That: A Life in Style, With a Twist,” Halbreich revealed the people she’s met and the things she’s seen as a fashion influencer.

‘”Patients,’ I call them. They open up to me like a therapist,” she told WWD following the release of her memoir.

“It’s very difficult to describe what I do. Yesterday I said, “Basically, I’m a clerk” – a very costly clerk for 37 years.”

Some of the notable Halbreich alumni included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jane Curtain, Sharon Stone, Julia Roberts, and more.

The stylist reminisced on the time she corrected former President Gerald Ford when he came to pick up a dress for his wife.

“It had just been pressed and finished. He took it and wrapped it over his arm like he was taking his shirts to laundry,” she wrote.

“I said, “Oh, for God’s sake. She’s going to wear that dress tonight.’

“He said, ‘I can’t believe Betty’s telling me how to carry a dress.’ I said, ‘At least I’m not telling you how to run the country.”‘

The fashion legend attributed her success to being able to adapt to the modern fashion world and not get stuck in her ways.

However, just because she was able to keep up with the times, doesn’t mean that she didn’t miss the old days.

“When you went into a store – let’s say Bonwit Teller or Lord & Taylor – you got dressed up,” she wrote.

“You wouldn’t walk around in shorts or tight white pants.

“They are so awful. I just can’t wait until people put their coats back on in winter and hide all this provocativeness.”

Halbreich looked at her career as “divine,” something she was blessed to have been able to do.

“For me, dressing someone well is as divine as helping someone to walk, to see, to smile or to bake a tall, light angel food cake,” she wrote.

“You’re probably looking at one of the most satisfied people in the world.”