Betty Halbreich, died Saturday in Manhattan she was 96. In addition to her discerning eye and impeccable taste, she charmed the many celebrity and typically affluent shoppers she met regularly, as well as her colleagues, and was considered an institution at Bergdorf Goodman. A native of Chicago, Halbreich was also a best-selling author.

She joined Bergdorf’s as a sales associate in 1976. The store created a personal shopping office for her upon her suggestion. Bergdorf Goodman, which is part of the Neiman Marcus Group, continues to maintain one of the strongest reputations in the retail industry for lavish, high-touch service.

During her long tenure at Bergdorf Goodman, Halbreich won the praise of fashion designers, celebrities, and loyal clients for her decisive and honest approach to getting dressed, beginning with her first client, style icon Babe Paley. Funny and cultured, she represented the best of America in the kingdom of the Big Apple. May his soul rest in peace.