Herbert Daniel Halpern

Herbert Daniel Halpern who was considered the “walking encyclopedia of fabric” and “the textile guru,” was born in New Orleans September 9, 1941 at Baptist Hospital. The youngest of four children to Max and Libby (Fuchs) Halpern, he attended Henry W. Allen School, McMain Junior High, and graduated from Isidore Newman, where he played Varsity football as a freshman and played guard along-side his brother, Elliot, in 1958. He was named All Riverside League at Tackle and was a Newman Co-Captain. Fond memories of history teacher Mr. Fredericks shaped his worldview towards tradition and collecting. The long history of fine fabrics and the act of collecting art would become part of his life practice. His father, Max, opened a retail fabric business in 1937 on Dryades St., where Herbert worked from the age of 12. Growing up in the family business influenced him to study business at Tulane University. In 1960, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business, where his brother Elliot attended. After a year, he returned to New Orleans and graduated from Tulane Business School. After graduation, he worked for Halpern’s Fabrics, which by then was 28 stores across the South. His role was to oversee each store, which necessitated grueling travel, and after the family business became a chain, he realized he preferred working in only one store. He partnered with friend, Paul Kullman, as founders of Gentry Gifts and Men’s Clothing for two years. Finally returning to his roots, he opened Promenade Fine Fabrics on St. Charles Avenue on his birthday, September 9, 1968. It was an overnight success because of his father’s legacy. Promenade Fine Fabrics became a destination for not only attracting local and regional customers, but celebrities and the film industry. After helping Phyllis Diller find the perfect silk, she praised Promenade on the Johnny Carson show. While helping Margaret Thatcher find buttons, he realized it was time to pick up the children from school, as his wife was exhibiting in Brazil. He apologized to the Prime Minister who agreed he should leave for the children. Over the years he helped CCH Pounder for lace and Sara Vaughn for silk. Kathie Bates found designer silk to wear to collect her Golden Globe for American Horror Story. For 40 years, Allen Toussaint wore Herbert’s designer brocades for stage performances. There were decades of bridal gowns, Homecoming Queens, graduations, Christenings, Mardi Gras Ball gowns, and numerous Carnival Queens. He enjoyed the whole process of solving sewing issues through design, color, and the appropriate materials, and inspired young people to sew. When he spoke at Longvue Gardens, he said, “Sewing is about who we are as a human species. It began in the caves from a basic need, to culture, a fashion statement, an art form.” In an interview with Jyl Benson for Country Roads Magazine, she wrote, “Herbert Halpern’s passion for and encyclopedic knowledge of fabrics and notions; his courtly, elegant presence and personable approach to customer service complete the equation for his lasting success.” Working with the best costume designers for film and television allowed Promenade Fabrics on the screen for 'Runaway Jury,' 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,' 'Interview with a Vampire,' 'Beautiful Creatures,' and hundreds of others. In 2012 his youngest son, Cole, left Law and joined the family business, where he brought new ideas to the store. His son, Dane, would work in the store until he opened his own fabric business in upholstery and drapery he named Backroom Fabric.

As a side interest in the 70’s, Herbert was a photographer for the Saints Football Team when they played at Tulane Stadium, a position he acquired through a friend. He had job opportunities in New York and San Francisco, but could not leave his birth home. Herbert’s love for New Orleans influenced his decision to enter politics and fight against road way developments that would destroy major avenues. When Dutch Morial ran for Mayor, Herbert worked on his campaign and joined several of his committees, where they worked together on different projects. Dutch appointed Herbert as Vice President of the Park and Parkway Commission, where he remained for 21 years protecting significant public and private trees and maintaining city greenery. Herbert viewed New Orleans as “the city of trees.”

His love of art and respect for artists was reflected in his art collection of local artists and American prints on paper from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. In 1982, mutual friends introduced him to artist Jacqueline “Jackie” Bishop at an art opening at the Arthur Roger Gallery on Magazine Street. After several rejections, they finally had their first date to see Allen Toussaint perform on the Riverboat President. The tickets were a gift to Herbert from Allen, who would forever be credited for their marriage. The following year they were married in Israel by Rabbi David Goldstein from Touro Synagogue.

In 1988 Herbert co-founded Stone and Press Gallery with fellow print collector Earl Retiff. After seven years Herbert opened Herbert Halpern Fine Arts. He wrote and designed numerous brochures, researched over 2000 artists, and participated in Print Fairs in Denver, Washington, New York, and Atlanta. In 1987 his collection was exhibited at the Louisiana Arts and Science Center in Baton Rouge, curated by Kathleen Orillion. Later the work traveled to the Pensacola Museum of Art, organized by the late Mary Takach. In 2009 Diboll Art Gallery Director, Karoline Schleh with Loyola University, invited him to show 60 pieces from his collection for an exhibition titled, “The Recording of America.” The following year a different portion of his collection was exhibited at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum by Curator Elizabeth Weinstein, titled “Recording America: Prints from the Herbert D. Halpern Collection." He has generously donated important prints to various museums around the country.

In March 2020, when the covid pandemic exploded, Herbert was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Hospitals were full of covid patients resulting in a two-month-delayed brain surgery. After a successful surgery and months of physical therapy, Herbert returned to his beloved Promenade Fine Fabrics to greet customers. It was a new lifestyle and memory. He rebounded for a few years because of the love, respect, and attention from his family, friends, devoted staff, and customers. He continued joining the Isidore Newman lunch buddies and the “Please U” breakfast gym group. He never missed seeing his cousin, Randy Newman, perform at Jazz Fest, the LPO, and other venues. There were all the family birthday dinners, holiday dinners, and dinners with friends. For Herbert, his family was the most important and being a father was a privilege and a joy that made his life complete. The special gift was the recent birth of his only grandchild, Conrad Bishop Halpern.

He was preceded in death by his parents Max and Libby Halpern; and brothers Alvin and Elliot Halpern. Herbert leaves behind his loving wife Jacqueline; sons Dane and Cole (Courtney); grandson Conrad; sister Sandra Pailet; cousins Alan and Randy Newman; and many nephews and nieces.

Deep appreciation goes to Dr. Frank Culicchia, Carrie Black, Touro Infirmary, and so many friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Words of Remembrance service in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans on Monday, September 9, 2024 at 11:00AM. A visitation will be held at the Funeral Home beginning at 9:30AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Herbert’s memory to WWNO Public Radio, www.wwno.org, Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, www.msje.org, and/or City Park Conservancy, www.neworleanscitypark.org.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com