Helen Weiss, divisional vice president of public relations and special events at Famous-Barr, was stylish, flamboyant, and never afraid to be herself. She began her career of almost 50 years accidentally, by volunteering to organize an unrelated charity fundraiser being held in the Famous-Barr parking lot. Helen’s boundless talents attracted the attention of Famous-Barr executives, who hired her in 1959 to work part-time handling special events. Weiss used this part-time gig as a springboard into the ranks of male executives, at a time when few women had careers outside the home at all.
“Helen Weiss was a rare talent.”
Image of Helen Weiss next to a red ladder. The word ESPRIT is painted on the wall behind her.
Helen Weiss participates in a promotional photoshoot for the Esprit brand, 1986. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Helen was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1925 and came to St. Louis when she was still a child. She graduated from University City High School and Washington University, and in 1947, she married Richard M. Weiss, a news producer and on-air business reporter for KSDK.
During the 1950s, Helen was busy raising her two children and volunteering for her many causes. While organizing the annual book sale to benefit the Nursery Foundation, Weiss caught the eye of Famous-Barr executives—and she never looked back!
Image of Grand opening event with balloons.
Store openings, like this 1981 grand opening of the Famous-Barr department store at Mid Rivers Mall, became signature events. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss’s job at Famous-Barr was to get shoppers into the store, but she wanted them to have fun while they spent their money. In a St. Louis Beacon obituary, Maxine Clark, a former colleague at May Department Stores, described Weiss’s role: “Helen Weiss was a rare talent. She knew how to take a product, make it a hero, have fun while doing it and most of all to sell a lot of it. She taught an entire generation of younger retailers what entertainment in retail was all about.” (Maxine later became the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop.)
Image of Young African American girl holding a carved pumpkin and wearing a banner that reads, The Most Sincere Pumpkin
Not all Famous-Barr events were showy and extravagant. This young girl won The Most Sincere Pumpkin in a pumpkin-carving contest, ca. 1985. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss wanted shoppers to have fun at Famous-Barr.
During her time with Famous-Barr, Weiss brought in national celebrities, such as Sophia Loren, as well as local stars like Cardinals baseball legend Ozzie Smith. She also organized the annual Christmas extravaganza, including elaborate window displays and Breakfast with Santa. Outside-the-box promotions included the arrival of the Wonder Bra in St. Louis—the bra pulled up in its very own limousine!
Image of The front of a Viking-style boat on display outside of Famous-Barr.
Viking-style longship display at Famous-Barr for the Scandia exhibit, ca. 1965. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Famous-Barr played host to several large-scale promotions.
Weiss was also integral to planning large-scale promotions such as Scandia, a celebration of Scandinavian countries that included a Viking ship replica that sailed from Chicago to St. Louis; Hail to the British Commonwealth, featuring art, merchandise, and craftsmen from across the British empire; and Beautiful American, celebrating American folklife with musicians, dancers, artists, and other displays.
Image of A marching band going down a street, surrounded by crowds.
The Tuxedo Marching Band of New Orleans at the opening parade for Famous-Barr’s Beautiful American festival, 1968. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss encouraged her employer to take an active role in civic life and be a force for good in the community. Weiss and her boss, Vice President and Director of Publicity Joan Van de Erve, were the primary actors behind the Famous-Barr–sponsored Fourth of July festival on the riverfront. From 1964 to 1978, Weiss was one of the main drivers of the event, which drew crowds with nightly fireworks and other attractions and became the precursor to Fair St. Louis. Weiss also encouraged Famous-Barr to engage in the causes that were important to her, such as making stores more accessible to people with disabilities.
Weiss served as a mentor to many.
Image of Helen Weiss, wearing oversized earrings, seated at a table.
Helen Weiss shows off her signature fashion accessory—a pair of flamboyantly-oversized earrings—while working at an event in 1990. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
After 48 years as a force to be reckoned with, Weiss finally retired from Famous-Barr at the age of 81, and she passed away the following year, in 2008. Over the course of her storied career, she served as a mentor to legions of Famous-Barr employees and women trying to make it in the business world. The Beacon obituary quotes another former colleague, Debby Silverberg, who sums up Weiss’s influence: “She was a role model for me . . . a woman who succeeded because she wasn’t afraid to be herself.”
The Missouri Historical Society received significant archival and photograph collections of Weiss’s Famous-Barr files. Browse archival materials from the Famous-Barr Company Public Relations Records collection now, and discover photos from the collection as material is processed and becomes available online.
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES
“Helen Weiss was a rare talent.”
Image of Helen Weiss next to a red ladder. The word ESPRIT is painted on the wall behind her.
Helen Weiss participates in a promotional photoshoot for the Esprit brand, 1986. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Helen was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1925 and came to St. Louis when she was still a child. She graduated from University City High School and Washington University, and in 1947, she married Richard M. Weiss, a news producer and on-air business reporter for KSDK.
During the 1950s, Helen was busy raising her two children and volunteering for her many causes. While organizing the annual book sale to benefit the Nursery Foundation, Weiss caught the eye of Famous-Barr executives—and she never looked back!
Image of Grand opening event with balloons.
Store openings, like this 1981 grand opening of the Famous-Barr department store at Mid Rivers Mall, became signature events. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss’s job at Famous-Barr was to get shoppers into the store, but she wanted them to have fun while they spent their money. In a St. Louis Beacon obituary, Maxine Clark, a former colleague at May Department Stores, described Weiss’s role: “Helen Weiss was a rare talent. She knew how to take a product, make it a hero, have fun while doing it and most of all to sell a lot of it. She taught an entire generation of younger retailers what entertainment in retail was all about.” (Maxine later became the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop.)
Image of Young African American girl holding a carved pumpkin and wearing a banner that reads, The Most Sincere Pumpkin
Not all Famous-Barr events were showy and extravagant. This young girl won The Most Sincere Pumpkin in a pumpkin-carving contest, ca. 1985. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss wanted shoppers to have fun at Famous-Barr.
During her time with Famous-Barr, Weiss brought in national celebrities, such as Sophia Loren, as well as local stars like Cardinals baseball legend Ozzie Smith. She also organized the annual Christmas extravaganza, including elaborate window displays and Breakfast with Santa. Outside-the-box promotions included the arrival of the Wonder Bra in St. Louis—the bra pulled up in its very own limousine!
Image of The front of a Viking-style boat on display outside of Famous-Barr.
Viking-style longship display at Famous-Barr for the Scandia exhibit, ca. 1965. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Famous-Barr played host to several large-scale promotions.
Weiss was also integral to planning large-scale promotions such as Scandia, a celebration of Scandinavian countries that included a Viking ship replica that sailed from Chicago to St. Louis; Hail to the British Commonwealth, featuring art, merchandise, and craftsmen from across the British empire; and Beautiful American, celebrating American folklife with musicians, dancers, artists, and other displays.
Image of A marching band going down a street, surrounded by crowds.
The Tuxedo Marching Band of New Orleans at the opening parade for Famous-Barr’s Beautiful American festival, 1968. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss encouraged her employer to take an active role in civic life and be a force for good in the community. Weiss and her boss, Vice President and Director of Publicity Joan Van de Erve, were the primary actors behind the Famous-Barr–sponsored Fourth of July festival on the riverfront. From 1964 to 1978, Weiss was one of the main drivers of the event, which drew crowds with nightly fireworks and other attractions and became the precursor to Fair St. Louis. Weiss also encouraged Famous-Barr to engage in the causes that were important to her, such as making stores more accessible to people with disabilities.
Weiss served as a mentor to many.
Image of Helen Weiss, wearing oversized earrings, seated at a table.
Helen Weiss shows off her signature fashion accessory—a pair of flamboyantly-oversized earrings—while working at an event in 1990. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
After 48 years as a force to be reckoned with, Weiss finally retired from Famous-Barr at the age of 81, and she passed away the following year, in 2008. Over the course of her storied career, she served as a mentor to legions of Famous-Barr employees and women trying to make it in the business world. The Beacon obituary quotes another former colleague, Debby Silverberg, who sums up Weiss’s influence: “She was a role model for me . . . a woman who succeeded because she wasn’t afraid to be herself.”
The Missouri Historical Society received significant archival and photograph collections of Weiss’s Famous-Barr files. Browse archival materials from the Famous-Barr Company Public Relations Records collection now, and discover photos from the collection as material is processed and becomes available online.
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES
Helen Weiss, divisional vice president of public relations and special events at Famous-Barr, was stylish, flamboyant, and never afraid to be herself. She began her career of almost 50 years accidentally, by volunteering to organize an unrelated charity fundraiser being held in the Famous-Barr parking lot. Helen’s boundless talents attracted the attention of Famous-Barr executives, who hired her in 1959 to work part-time handling special events. Weiss used this part-time gig as a springboard into the ranks of male executives, at a time when few women had careers outside the home at all.
“Helen Weiss was a rare talent.”
Image of Helen Weiss next to a red ladder. The word ESPRIT is painted on the wall behind her.
Helen Weiss participates in a promotional photoshoot for the Esprit brand, 1986. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Helen was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1925 and came to St. Louis when she was still a child. She graduated from University City High School and Washington University, and in 1947, she married Richard M. Weiss, a news producer and on-air business reporter for KSDK.
During the 1950s, Helen was busy raising her two children and volunteering for her many causes. While organizing the annual book sale to benefit the Nursery Foundation, Weiss caught the eye of Famous-Barr executives—and she never looked back!
Image of Grand opening event with balloons.
Store openings, like this 1981 grand opening of the Famous-Barr department store at Mid Rivers Mall, became signature events. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss’s job at Famous-Barr was to get shoppers into the store, but she wanted them to have fun while they spent their money. In a St. Louis Beacon obituary, Maxine Clark, a former colleague at May Department Stores, described Weiss’s role: “Helen Weiss was a rare talent. She knew how to take a product, make it a hero, have fun while doing it and most of all to sell a lot of it. She taught an entire generation of younger retailers what entertainment in retail was all about.” (Maxine later became the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop.)
Image of Young African American girl holding a carved pumpkin and wearing a banner that reads, The Most Sincere Pumpkin
Not all Famous-Barr events were showy and extravagant. This young girl won The Most Sincere Pumpkin in a pumpkin-carving contest, ca. 1985. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss wanted shoppers to have fun at Famous-Barr.
During her time with Famous-Barr, Weiss brought in national celebrities, such as Sophia Loren, as well as local stars like Cardinals baseball legend Ozzie Smith. She also organized the annual Christmas extravaganza, including elaborate window displays and Breakfast with Santa. Outside-the-box promotions included the arrival of the Wonder Bra in St. Louis—the bra pulled up in its very own limousine!
Image of The front of a Viking-style boat on display outside of Famous-Barr.
Viking-style longship display at Famous-Barr for the Scandia exhibit, ca. 1965. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Famous-Barr played host to several large-scale promotions.
Weiss was also integral to planning large-scale promotions such as Scandia, a celebration of Scandinavian countries that included a Viking ship replica that sailed from Chicago to St. Louis; Hail to the British Commonwealth, featuring art, merchandise, and craftsmen from across the British empire; and Beautiful American, celebrating American folklife with musicians, dancers, artists, and other displays.
Image of A marching band going down a street, surrounded by crowds.
The Tuxedo Marching Band of New Orleans at the opening parade for Famous-Barr’s Beautiful American festival, 1968. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss encouraged her employer to take an active role in civic life and be a force for good in the community. Weiss and her boss, Vice President and Director of Publicity Joan Van de Erve, were the primary actors behind the Famous-Barr–sponsored Fourth of July festival on the riverfront. From 1964 to 1978, Weiss was one of the main drivers of the event, which drew crowds with nightly fireworks and other attractions and became the precursor to Fair St. Louis. Weiss also encouraged Famous-Barr to engage in the causes that were important to her, such as making stores more accessible to people with disabilities.
Weiss served as a mentor to many.
Image of Helen Weiss, wearing oversized earrings, seated at a table.
Helen Weiss shows off her signature fashion accessory—a pair of flamboyantly-oversized earrings—while working at an event in 1990. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
After 48 years as a force to be reckoned with, Weiss finally retired from Famous-Barr at the age of 81, and she passed away the following year, in 2008. Over the course of her storied career, she served as a mentor to legions of Famous-Barr employees and women trying to make it in the business world. The Beacon obituary quotes another former colleague, Debby Silverberg, who sums up Weiss’s influence: “She was a role model for me . . . a woman who succeeded because she wasn’t afraid to be herself.”
The Missouri Historical Society received significant archival and photograph collections of Weiss’s Famous-Barr files. Browse archival materials from the Famous-Barr Company Public Relations Records collection now, and discover photos from the collection as material is processed and becomes available online.
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES
“Helen Weiss was a rare talent.”
Image of Helen Weiss next to a red ladder. The word ESPRIT is painted on the wall behind her.
Helen Weiss participates in a promotional photoshoot for the Esprit brand, 1986. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Helen was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1925 and came to St. Louis when she was still a child. She graduated from University City High School and Washington University, and in 1947, she married Richard M. Weiss, a news producer and on-air business reporter for KSDK.
During the 1950s, Helen was busy raising her two children and volunteering for her many causes. While organizing the annual book sale to benefit the Nursery Foundation, Weiss caught the eye of Famous-Barr executives—and she never looked back!
Image of Grand opening event with balloons.
Store openings, like this 1981 grand opening of the Famous-Barr department store at Mid Rivers Mall, became signature events. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss’s job at Famous-Barr was to get shoppers into the store, but she wanted them to have fun while they spent their money. In a St. Louis Beacon obituary, Maxine Clark, a former colleague at May Department Stores, described Weiss’s role: “Helen Weiss was a rare talent. She knew how to take a product, make it a hero, have fun while doing it and most of all to sell a lot of it. She taught an entire generation of younger retailers what entertainment in retail was all about.” (Maxine later became the founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop.)
Image of Young African American girl holding a carved pumpkin and wearing a banner that reads, The Most Sincere Pumpkin
Not all Famous-Barr events were showy and extravagant. This young girl won The Most Sincere Pumpkin in a pumpkin-carving contest, ca. 1985. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss wanted shoppers to have fun at Famous-Barr.
During her time with Famous-Barr, Weiss brought in national celebrities, such as Sophia Loren, as well as local stars like Cardinals baseball legend Ozzie Smith. She also organized the annual Christmas extravaganza, including elaborate window displays and Breakfast with Santa. Outside-the-box promotions included the arrival of the Wonder Bra in St. Louis—the bra pulled up in its very own limousine!
Image of The front of a Viking-style boat on display outside of Famous-Barr.
Viking-style longship display at Famous-Barr for the Scandia exhibit, ca. 1965. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Famous-Barr played host to several large-scale promotions.
Weiss was also integral to planning large-scale promotions such as Scandia, a celebration of Scandinavian countries that included a Viking ship replica that sailed from Chicago to St. Louis; Hail to the British Commonwealth, featuring art, merchandise, and craftsmen from across the British empire; and Beautiful American, celebrating American folklife with musicians, dancers, artists, and other displays.
Image of A marching band going down a street, surrounded by crowds.
The Tuxedo Marching Band of New Orleans at the opening parade for Famous-Barr’s Beautiful American festival, 1968. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
Weiss encouraged her employer to take an active role in civic life and be a force for good in the community. Weiss and her boss, Vice President and Director of Publicity Joan Van de Erve, were the primary actors behind the Famous-Barr–sponsored Fourth of July festival on the riverfront. From 1964 to 1978, Weiss was one of the main drivers of the event, which drew crowds with nightly fireworks and other attractions and became the precursor to Fair St. Louis. Weiss also encouraged Famous-Barr to engage in the causes that were important to her, such as making stores more accessible to people with disabilities.
Weiss served as a mentor to many.
Image of Helen Weiss, wearing oversized earrings, seated at a table.
Helen Weiss shows off her signature fashion accessory—a pair of flamboyantly-oversized earrings—while working at an event in 1990. Missouri Historical Society Collections.
After 48 years as a force to be reckoned with, Weiss finally retired from Famous-Barr at the age of 81, and she passed away the following year, in 2008. Over the course of her storied career, she served as a mentor to legions of Famous-Barr employees and women trying to make it in the business world. The Beacon obituary quotes another former colleague, Debby Silverberg, who sums up Weiss’s influence: “She was a role model for me . . . a woman who succeeded because she wasn’t afraid to be herself.”
The Missouri Historical Society received significant archival and photograph collections of Weiss’s Famous-Barr files. Browse archival materials from the Famous-Barr Company Public Relations Records collection now, and discover photos from the collection as material is processed and becomes available online.
MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVES
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