Joan would have loved this. Bergdorf Goodman changed its windows Thursday, Sept. 4, to honor the late Joan Rivers, who passed away at age 81 earlier that afternoon. Rivers was due at the New York City department store Thursday evening, to co-host a book launch party for her pal, legendary personal shopper Betty Halbreich.
Instead, Bergdorf's created a special tribute for the lifelong New Yorker and fashionista after hearing of Rivers' death. "In tribute to our longtime friend Joan Rivers," it read on one of the windows facing Fifth Ave., in midtown Manhattan. Alongside the inscription was a framed throwback photo of the late comedienne with Miss Piggy.
The 30-year-old still was from the 1984 movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan, in which Rivers had a cameo as a perfume counter saleswoman at Bergdorf's. Miss Piggy worked at the department store alongside Rivers, who helped the porcine beauty gain a proper footing at the store.
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend Joan Rivers. Our thoughts are with her loved ones. She will be truly missed.
— Bergdorf Goodman (@Bergdorfs) September 4, 2014
In a Q&A with Bergdorf's Glenn O'Brien, Rivers opened up about her iconic role in the beloved film. "They called me up! Very simple," Rivers said of being recruited for the movie's cast. "At the point, the Muppets were the hottest thing in America. Everybody loved Ms. Piggy. I think she even hosted one of the awards shows."
The Fashion Police host also expressed her love for style in the interview. "I always loved fashion, always loved jewelry, and I love show business," Rivers said. "I did Lord & Taylor window displays in the beginning. And that really combined everything, because you picked the fashions, you know they’d help you pick the fashions, then you’d set it up and do the whole display thing. So that’s very show business."
The Brooklyn-born comic said there was no other shopping destination like Bergdorf's. "My mother always went to Bergdorf’s. She was a big Bergdorf’s customer," Rivers explained in the same interview.
"As long as Bergdorf Goodman is on the corner of 58th and 5th, I’m a happy girl. Let me just say one more thing about Bergdorf’s. Your windows — I’m an old window display whore. I went through college doing windows. Your windows should be put in the Hall of Fame. They’re incredibly beautiful. Every week I look forward to them because they’re always beautifully, amazingly done. And Christmas…there’s nothing to discuss, they’re so perfect."