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    Neiman's Top Salesperson

    After $73 million in sales and 86 Last Calls, Neiman Marcus couture guru goes out on top

    Clifford Pugh
    Aug 29, 2015 | 9:31 am

    When Sylvia Goldstein joined Neiman Marcus in 1972 , her first sale was a $132 boa. She was thrilled, but was soon destined for bigger and better things.

    During a 43-year tenure as the top saleswoman at the Houston Galleria store and the entire Neiman Marcus chain, Goldstein sold close to $73 million in merchandise, including items at 86 Last Call sales.

    Her biggest single sale: A luxurious $250,000 James Galanos sable coat.

    Her biggest single day: $383,000 of Galanos gowns and Chanel attire to three international clients, including a Mexican customer who traveled with her personal assistant and her small dog on a private plane to meet with Goldstein at night.

    "I never had worked a day in my life," Goldstein recalled, "but I learn fast. I'm a quick study."

    The spitfire couture saleswoman with flaming red hair and hardly a wrinkle on her face — unlike many of her clients, she has never undergone cosmetic surgery and instead has studiously avoided the sun, noting there are no windows in the couture department — enjoyed her last day at the store Friday. At a morning staff meeting, she was placed on a throne and thanked for her service, and she shared an intimate lunch with 13 of her top clients at the store's Mariposa restaurant.

    At 82, she has decided to retire, leaving a sales legacy that will likely never be topped.

    "Every day I come and learn something new," she said during an interview amid designer fashions in the store's couture department on the second floor. "These customers are the loves of my life. Getting to know people and taking care of them is the thrill. It's a wonderful thing."

    Goldstein didn't even have a Social Security number when she applied for a job in the Neiman's couture department on the advice on her sister, who worked in cosmetics at the store. "I never had worked a day in my life," Goldstein recalled, "but I learn fast. I'm a quick study."

    Within two years, she was the No. 1 saleswoman, a title she has held through most of her career. "I could only have done this at Neiman Marcus. It's the best store there is. There is none better," she said.

    First name basis

    In a career that has spanned the breath of fashion design, Goldstein has been on a first-name basis with such stars as Galanos, who she admits is her favorite designer, the legendary Bill Blass, who famously chain smoked, leaving cigarette butts on the store's marble floor, the gentlemanly Oscar de la Renta, the mercurial Ralph Rucci, the masterful Geoffrey Bean and the idiosyncratic Karl Lagerfeld. And she's been quick to champion designers like Tom Ford, Azzedine Alia and Akris' Albert Krimler.

    "I'd rather see my customers underdressed for an occasion that wear the wrong thing."

    She was among the first to urge her clients to mix and match styles and not stick to just one designer head-to-toe. And she has never been shy about tell a customer if an ensemble doesn't work. "You can dress up something to be cocktail and it doesn't have to be a cocktail dress," she said. "I'd rather see my customers underdressed for an occasion that wear the wrong thing."

    Although she had no formal fashion experience, having majored in dance in college before getting married and raising a family, Goldstein had long helped friends and neighbors put their wardrobes together. As a 1997 Texas Monthly article noted, many of her Houston clients wouldn't go out at night before calling her to ask what they should wear. “Almost everything I put on, head to toe, I buy from Sylvia,” said Elyse Lanier, who has remained a close friend. “I trust her judgment and her taste completely.”

    Having had three back surgeries in the past 18 months, Goldstein has finally decided it's time to retire for good. She plans to continue to stay in shape by pedaling a stationery bike for 45 minutes every day, 7 days a week — but not at 5 in the morning like she has been doing before going to work. "I'm going to spread it out," she said.

    "I've had a few lulls in my career, but the next day something opens up and you're back in business. I made my mark and that's what I worked for," she added. "It is bittersweet. It's hard to think that my customers are going to be taken care of by someone else."

    Co-workers at Neiman Marcus signed a special card for Goldstein.

    Sylvia Goldstein at Neiman Marcus goodbye card
      
    Photo by Clifford Pugh
    Co-workers at Neiman Marcus signed a special card for Goldstein.
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    Summer Staples

    Houston fashion expert spotlights top fashion trends for summer 2025

    Gabi De la Rosa
    May 9, 2025 | 12:00 pm
    Inclan Studio
    Photo courtesy of Inclan Studio/Facebook
    The RealReal's head of fashion dishes on the top trends for summer style.

    Summer may still be over a month away, but Houstonians already feel a seasonal shift in both temperatures and new styles. Layered sweatshirts and cute booties are being tucked away and replaced by lightweight fabrics, sandals, and a softer, breezier color palette.

    One of the Houston stores staying on trend for warmer weather is The RealReal, a marketplace for authenticated, resale luxury goods. The brand quietly opened its first Houston location in the Montrose Collective mixed-use development late last year, and Noelle Sciacca, head of fashion at The RealReal, offers a peek into the top trends to watch. Sciacca has a unique perspective of what's heating up in fashion because she has insider access to what customers are searching for and actually buying.

    Although it is always nice to add a couple of new pieces to our wardrobes each season, Sciacca also firmly believes in maintaining personal style.

    "In the age of TikTok, the rapid turnover of trends can feel overwhelming. While it's exciting to anticipate what's new and next, I'm a strong believer in the power of personal style — and the value of re-wearing pieces that make you feel confident, regardless of current trends."

    CultureMap (CM): What are the top three trends you're seeing emerge for Summer 2025?

    Noelle Sciacca (NS): The modern bohemian aesthetic experienced a major resurgence last year — and all signs indicate that the trend is here to stay for Summer 2025. Key pieces that channel vintage inspiration while feeling fresh and current include the peasant blouse, which has seen a 78 percent year-over-year increase in searches on The RealReal. Tassel and fringe details are also making a strong comeback, with searches up 69 percent, while leather cord necklaces — evocative of laid-back '70s style — have surged by an impressive 193 percent since last year.

    Inclan Studio peasant blouseHouston-based Inclán Studio offers several types of peasant blouses and summer styles.Photo courtesy of Inclán Studio.

    CM: We've noticed shorts are getting a bit longer this season. What silhouettes or styles are you seeing trending in that space?

    NS: While micro-mini shorts have made frequent appearances on runways in recent seasons, they're often less practical for everyday wear. In response, we're seeing a growing interest in longer, tailored shorts that transition seamlessly into office settings and wider, knee-length denim styles that offer comfort and ease for running errands. These more versatile silhouettes strike a balance between trend and functionality, making them a smart addition to any summer wardrobe.

    SloanHall jorts Find longer short silhouettes, including this style from Lutz Huelle, at Autry Park's Sloan/Hall. Photo courtesy of Sloan/Hall/Instagram

    CM: Layered looks dominated the runways this season, even for summer. How can people embrace the trend while staying cool and comfortable in a city like Houston, where the heat can be intense?

    NS: This summer, whether staying in Houston or escaping to a tropical destination, layering remains practical and effortlessly stylish. The key to staying cool — both in temperature and appearance — is choosing loose-fitting silhouettes crafted from lightweight fabrics. Embrace the modern bohemian trend, which continues to dominate both runway collections and street style, by pairing sheer peasant blouses with minimalist bra tops and low-slung wide-leg pants. Layer delicate lace-cropped jackets over flowing maxi dresses for an elevated touch.

    Christy Lynn sheer blouse with denim Houston designer Christy Lynn offers several barely there silk tops and a new denim line perfect for warm weather.Photo courtesy of Christy Lynn

    CM: Is there an "It bag" for Summer 2025?

    NS: Originally released in 2005, the Chloé Paddington quickly achieved It-Bag status, frequently spotted on the arms of early-2000s style icons such as Paris and Nicky Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, and Sienna Miller. Recently reintroduced on the brand's Spring/Summer 2025 runway, the Paddington has sparked a renewed surge in demand. Miu Miu has emerged as a powerhouse in the handbag space, producing styles that have quickly developed cult followings. On The RealReal, sales of Miu Miu bags have increased by 60 percent year over year, with searches for the Arcadie style alone soaring by 365%.

    MiuMiu Arcadie bagOne of Miu Miu's most iconic styles, the Arcadie, is available at Saks Fifth Avenue in The Galleria.Photo courtesy of Miu Miu.

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