Gene Moore (window dresser)

Gene Moore (1910 – November 23, 1998) was a leading window dresser of the 20th century. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he moved to New York City in the 1930s. He worked for Bonwit Teller for sixteen years, then in 1955 joined Tiffany's on Fifth Avenue. He remained with the store for the remainder of his career. He retired at 84, as vice-president for window-display.

Working at Tiffany's, Moore designed approximately 5,000 windows, many of which featured his collection of stuffed hummingbirds. He was also noted for using concepts or actual works of modern art in his windows, including those of Jasper Johns, Alexander Ney and Andy Warhol. Some of his designs were photographed by Edgar de Evia. He lived in an apartment decorated by Robert Denning in the twin towers of 860 United Nations Plaza until his death.

Moore used Ney's works in his windows more than any other contemporary artist, commenting to Liz Smith in 1990, "He's quite simply the most talented artist whose work I've ever put in my windows."^[1]

During his life Moore was honoured several times for his work, receiving tributes from the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Inspirational Academy of Zurich, amongst others. Since 1990 Lighting Services Inc. has made an annual presentation of the Gene Moore Lighting Awards to honor his memory.

He wrote a book about his life and window-dressing experiences, My Time at Tiffany's, with Jay Hyams; it was published in 1990. In addition to his work at Tiffany's, Moore designed sets and costumes for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Publications

• Windows at Tiffany's: The Art of Gene Moore. Goldman, Judith, with commentary by Gene Moore. NY: Abrams, 1980.
• My Time at Tiffany's. Gene Moore with Jay Hyams.

References

• The New York Times, November 26, 1998.

Notes