When I was retiring from Saks Fifth Avenue, seven years ago, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with all my paperwork, memorabilia, awards, etc. Who would want them and how would they house them? I did want them to be accessible for study. I didn’t have to think long…Heidi Marshall, Head of Archives & Special Collections at Columbia College Chicago, contacted me to see if I would be interested in giving everything to the College. Not only was I interested I was extremely honored. Heidi came to my office and started her search through my things, and believe me when I tell you, my office was filled. Every wall had either autographed photographs of many of the designers I had worked with but also photographs from events I had done, a wall dedicated to Victor Skebneski’s photographs, some of me, and various other materials. Press clippings, invitations, programs from shows, events, as well as events I had chaired or worked on, lots of fashion show files and photographs, and, of course, some books (those I kept!) she wanted everything and indeed, took it all! We photographed the office before dismantling it. Hope to find those photos.
A shadow box (the batting was placed behind the bottles by the archivists) filled with miniature perfume bottles from various fragrance launches. The box was created by one of my assistants as a gift for me, I find it quite charming and almost naive. The archives also contain full-size bottles of some of the launches, many signed. The College had some of this part of the Collection on display in the school’s library.
I will be referring to the Nena Ivon Collection in the Columbia College Archives many times and I thought I would share a bit of insight of how the Collection came to be.