When Women Ran Fifth Avenue; Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion

The Women Who Shaped the Golden Age of American Department Stores

A New York Times Bestseller and a Best Book of the Year (Amazon, Smithsonian, Financial Times), this captivating history from award-winning author Julie Satow unveils the dazzling world of 20th-century department stores—and the trailblazing women who ruled them.

Department stores weren’t just places to shop; they were opulent havens where customers could sip afternoon tea, browse the latest fashions, and even plan weddings or funerals—all under one roof. Though men owned the buildings, inside, it was women who set the trends and shaped the retail experience.

At the heart of this glamorous world were three visionary women:

• Hortense Odlum (Bonwit Teller)—A housewife turned executive in the 1930s, she transformed the store’s appeal to female shoppers and ultimately took charge of the entire company.
• Dorothy Shaver (Lord & Taylor)—A champion of American designers in the 1940s, she revolutionized fashion retail and became the first female business executive to earn a $1 million salary.
• Geraldine Stutz (Henri Bendel)—A style maven in the 1960s, she reinvented the modern department store, setting trends that shaped the industry for decades.

Rich with personal drama, behind-the-scenes secrets, and the glitz of high-end retail, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue is a fascinating look at the fearless women who built an empire of style, influence, and independence.