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Herbert GallenAmerican businessman
Date of Birth: 15.09.1915
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Herbert Gallen
Herbert Gallen was an American businessman who founded and owned the company 'Ellen Tracy, Inc.' for over half a century. The company specialized in producing clothing and accessories for professional women. In 2002, the popular and respected brand was acquired by 'Liz Claiborne' for a substantial amount.
Early Life and Career
Herbert Gallen was born on September 15, 1915, in Passaic, New Jersey. He grew up in the neighboring city of Patterson. Ironically, Gallen had no plans to continue the family business or work in the fashion industry. After completing school, he went to work for his uncle, who owned thirty automotive parts stores. Before his military service, Gallen became the manager of his own store. During World War II, he continued to work in the automotive business, as the market was rapidly expanding in the United States.
However, Gallen's business acumen came into play when he saw an opportunity to use his family connections in the fabric industry. Due to wartime restrictions, it became difficult to purchase certain fabrics in stores. Gallen recognized this as a chance to venture into the world of clothing production. He crafted several models of women's blouses from fabric acquired through acquaintances. These blouses were then offered to prominent department stores on Manhattan.
Founding 'Ellen Tracy'
Gallen's breakthrough came when he met Franklin Simon, the owner of 'Franklin Simon & Co.', a department store that resembled modern shopping centers. Gallen successfully sold all his blouses to Simon, providing a fortunate start for his new business. Over the next few years, he continued to produce modest blouses under the brand name 'Betty Barr,' named after his wife. Together with a sales manager, Gallen opened a showroom on Third Avenue, which served both as a store and a warehouse.
Finally, in 1949, with financial support from his business partner Mike Brawer, Gallen officially launched 'Ellen Tracy.' He believed that a women's clothing company should bear a feminine name to appeal to consumers. Blouses for women and teenage girls with the 'Ellen Tracy' label were sold to wholesale buyers like 'Oppenheim Collins,' 'B. Altman,' and 'Macy's' for $28.5-30 per dozen.
As the business grew, Gallen hired more employees, acquired a larger showroom and a new warehouse. By the early 1960s, the company even expanded its production overseas, opening a branch in Pennsylvania.
The Success of 'Ellen Tracy'
Gallen was a pragmatic owner who immersed himself in every aspect of his business, earning a reputation as a perfectionist. He hired designers to make the blouse styles more appealing. Over the course of ten years, several people held this position until Linda Allard, a recent college graduate from Ohio, became the company's chief designer. Allard's talent and flawless sense of style, similar to Gallen's, turned 'Ellen Tracy' into one of the most beloved brands among professional women in the country. She arrived in New York City with only $200 in her pocket, desperately seeking a job in the fashion industry. After three weeks of interviews, running out of money and contemplating returning to Ohio, Allard received a call inviting her for an interview with Gallen. He must have recognized her desperate need for work because, after reviewing her resume and portfolio, he asked her how much she would like to earn. Allard replied that $50 a week would be sufficient. Gallen responded, "If you agree to $60, then consider yourself employed." Allard, a young and talented designer with the same unwavering instinct for success as Gallen, transformed the company's product line, making it popular among young working women.
For nearly 40 years, Gallen and Allard worked together, and in 2001, after Gallen's wife passed away, they married. Herbert Gallen passed away on September 22, 2007, just a few days after his 92nd birthday.
