Tim Allis, author of Henri Bendel and the Worlds He Fashioned, and Robert Rufino, former Bendel’s visual director, in conversation about the glory days of America’s chicest store and the little-known man who started it all.
Tim Allis was a senior editor at InStyle for twelve years. Prior to that he was a staff writer at D magazine (Dallas) and People. He has contributed articles to Out, Men’s Health, Time Out New York, Saveur, CNN.com, and Playbill.com, among others. A dedicated theater-goer, he periodically dabbles in playwriting. As Henri Bendel did, he calls both Lafayette, Louisiana, and New York City home.
Robert Rufino is a native New Yorker. He has a long journey in the world of design. After starting his career in the late 70’s, he worked for the iconic fashion destination, Henri Bendel, under the leadership of Geraldine Stutz, where he was responsible for window display as well as store design. He then entered the world of journalism, holding positions at Elle, Taxi Magagine, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar. He was also the Vice President of Creative Services for Tiffany & Co for 13 years before moving into the world of interiors, where he held editorial positions at Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, among other publications. Now, as the head of his own consulting business, he has consulted brands such as de Gournay and Urban Electric and also serves as contributing editor to Frederic Magazine and other publications.
Doors open 5pm | Lecture begins at 5:30 PM
