One hundred years ago, three young entrepreneurs, Herbert Marcus, Sr., his sister Carrie Marcus Neiman, and her husband A.L. Neiman, invested just over $75,000 to open the first
Neiman Marcus store in Dallas, TX. Today, the specialty retailer operates 39 full-line stores in 18 states and the District of Columbia, an e-commerce web site and a successful catalog operation. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the downtown Dallas flagship store is hosting a special centennial exhibit honoring the past and looking forward to the future.
   
The exhibits, which are on display from October 13, 2007 to November 3, 2007, include one-of-a-kind designs from the world's leading fashion designers; a look at the future of jewelry, furniture and art; special artist installations; and an opportunity to write a wish for the future to be added to the Future Tree. Also on display in the store is a retrospective of vintage catalog covers and Fortnight posters.
   
On Friday, October 12th, Neiman Marcus hosts an exclusive, by-invitation-only, black tie gala benefiting the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. The sold-out event in the downtown Dallas store is expected to raise one million dollars for the new homes of The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Texas Ballet Theater, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, and other Dallas-area performing arts organizations.
   
"Minding the store means guarding our great traditions and honoring our history with the unending promise to bring our customers the best of everything," said Karen Katz, President and CEO of Neiman Marcus Stores. "We approach the future with the hope that Neiman Marcus will always be of its time and yet, in its very essence, timeless.
   
Over 150 exclusive items were created in honor of Neiman Marcus' anniversary. Buccellati pays tribute to the NM butterfly with a one-of-a-kind $150,000 diamond-encrusted cuff. Brioni's exclusive ties are woven in 24-karat gold; while Hermes reissued its 1962 "Cheval Fleuri" by Henri d'Origny silk scarf.
   
The world's top designers also praise Neiman Marcus in a 25-minute video entitled "Neiman Marcus: The Mystique." Giorgio Armani, Bobbi Brown, Karl Lagerfeld, Ermenegildo Zegna, and others discuss Neiman Marcus' unique position as the leading retailer of luxury and fashion in the United States. The video can be viewed at http://www.neimanmarcus.com/.
   
Two special books were created exclusively for the centennial celebration. The limited-edition Pop Up Book illustrates some of the magical stories behind Neiman Marcus. The commemorative book costs $100 and features stunning three-dimensional, pop-up images of some of the company's historical highlights.  Spreads showcase the Fortnight celebrations, the His and Hers gifts from the famous Christmas Book, the museum-quality Neiman Marcus art collection, groundbreaking fashion advertising, over-the-top holiday season décor, the company's symbol for the beauty of transformation -- the butterfly, and a salute to the 100-year anniversary.
   
Neiman Marcus Taste: Timeless American Recipes (Clarkson Potter/Publishers; On Sale October 9; Hardcover; $45.00) contains a compilation of the Zodiac Restaurant's most beloved dishes from Helen Corbitt, the first Neiman Marcus Director of Restaurants, as well as some new and delicious recipes. The book also includes photos and menus from various Neiman Marcus restaurants over the past five decades and a moving tribute to Helen Corbitt who helped build the extraordinary reputation that the Neiman Marcus restaurants have today,
   
For the first time, and in celebration of its 100th anniversary, Neiman Marcus is sponsoring the International Press and Information Centre for the "Semaine des Createurs de Mode" taking place from September 30 - October 7, 2007. In addition to having press materials available, the famed retailer will broadcast the video "Neiman Marcus: The Mystique" throughout the shows.

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