My Year Dressing Frank Sinatra
The current New York City pandemic way of life featuring an empty Yankee Stadium and vacant indoor dining brings me back to another place and time.
There was no pandemic slack on 44th Street in mid-January of 1969.
J. Press enjoyed a hard-earned reputation for quality, ensuring visits from New York celebrities – actors, entertainers, athletes, writers, and business executives. But things changed in a hurry when a familiar face entered the store and simply said to me, “Show me all your 38 regulars.” Our visitor was Frank Sinatra.
To read this story and many more, purchase the Threading the Needle book by Richard Press.
13 comments
This is a great story — but where did Sinatra go after he left J Press???—- and i was delighted to be reminded of Jerry Haber, who took
good care of me for more than 25 years until
he retired. He corralled me one day while having a smoke outside the 44th St store and promptly sold me a sport jacket that he said was one of Mr. Press’s favorite patterns and was going fast. I later saw the same jacket on Henry Cooper of the New Yorker and John Chancellor, at the Century. We loved the jacket and the salesmanship. And I still have it 40 years later.
This is a wonderful story, expertly told by Richard Press. My late father, Jerry Haber, a Hall of Fame J. Press Salesman, was an avid Frank Sinatra fan and he would have loved it.
Richard,
Thank you for sharing your gift for narration and at a deeper level, a good hand at writing cultural history. I look forward to each installment.
Richard and Friends ~ My intro to J. Press was via the St. Grottlesex mafia, although I had the privilege of graduating from a school very much on the periphery of that ethic. Through more than 50 years as a naval officer and a diplomat, J. Press has been a wardrob staple and has never let me down. Your product is timeless and, in my opinion, so needed in today’s virtually standard-less society. In Churchill’s words, “Never give up. Never, never, never…” Please keep it going, without apology…
Great stories as usual. I still have a hard time imagining Frank Sinatra wearing J press clothing. I’m sure he looked quite sophisticated and charming. But I picture him more of the rat pack style
Thoroughly enjoy your stories. Quickly brings me back to a exciting saga in my life.
The Chairman of the Board. I would have loved to have joined you all for Jack and stories. Amazing! Great bio on Netflix about Mr. Sinatra, by the way.
Very well written piece of history. Mr. Press at York Street in the 1970’s told me I was the perfect J. Press 38 regular. But not anymore.
Thanks for a great ancedote.
Great story and great timing. I am currently watching the Sinatra series on Netflix.
These continual stories are great! Thank you. I guess 1969 was a time that southern California style of clothing was a changer.
Wow, great story!
That is a good one…