The Documentary That Celebrates The History Of A Legend
Monday evening brought retail and fashion leaders out to celebrate in New York. It was for the premiere of the PBS film about philanthropist/visionary developer of California’s South Coast Plaza, Henry Segerstrom. Guests including Terry Lundgren Michael Gould and Prosper Assouline attended the screening at the Directors Guild of America, followed by dinner at Weill Terrace Room inside Carnegie Hall. The producer, Maria Hall-Brown introduced the documentary that began years before his death in February 2015.
It depicts the story of how Segerstrom and his family grew their lima bean fields and dairy farm into the luxury shopping center in Orange County. The Segerstrom family built South Coast Plaza and the adjacent cultural center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts (SCFTA). South Coast Plaza is known as an international shopping destination as it houses exclusive brands that are hard to find in the marketplace. Retailers including Halston, Yves Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, and Harry Winston were all situated inside the luxury mall.
The documentary is apropos as South Coast Plaza is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It highlights archival footage of many who knew Segerstrom as a business partner, patron of the arts, luxury retailer and friend. Recollections feature Misty Copeland, Bruce Nordstrom, Frank Gehry, Michael Gould and Terry Lundgren. Henry T. Segerstrom: Imagining the Future will premiere on PBS March 31 and April 2. It will also be viewable on PBS’s streaming website.
Photo: Annie Watt Agency & Patrick McMullan Company
