They All Came to Barneys: A Personal History of the World's Greatest Store

They All Came to Barneys is Gene Pressman's account of his family's fashion retail business. Founded in 1923 as a discount shop on 17th Street, Barneys New York grew into an international phenomenon that shaped fashion trends in New York and worldwide. The store's black shopping bags became iconic among devoted customers. Pressman traces three generations of his family—grandfather Barney, son Fred, and grandson Gene—as they built the business through relationships with major designers and a commitment to quality merchandise. The store dressed celebrities, models, artists, and magnates, and Pressman had access to significant moments in fashion history. The narrative spans major cultural shifts, including the rise of ready-to-wear in the 1960s, the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, and globalization in the 1990s. Pressman describes the store's connections to figures including Armani, Alaïa, Wintour, and Meisel. The account also covers the store's eventual decline, attributed to hubris, ambition, and risky business decisions.