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.