The Clifton Review
The Clifton Review is a tri-weekly column that examines the question of the Clifton project along with the evolution of the war between two billionaires. We covered the start of this war with articles describing the battle over easement rights, the mysterious burning of a home, the blocks to rebuilding, and countless questionable court filings.
While the 2018 series salutes fashion mogul Peter Nygård’s Golden Jubilee detailing his rags to riches story, his incredible business success over these past fifty years and an inside look at how he did it, The Clifton Review will also continue to address current affairs as they relate to the good of The Bahamas.
A Stunning Monument To A Fifty-Year History
By P.J. Malone
So what do you do after achieving 50 years of business success? You create a gallery-museum to tell your story. And that’s exactly what fashion mogul Peter Nygard did.
In true Nygard form, he held a grand opening of a new entrance and the new NYGARD Gallery in his Inkster facility located in Winnipeg in the Manitoba Province of Canada. It is described by attendees as a stunning view of not just the showcases but of the rags-to-riches story itself including the ability to walk through the one-room structure Nygard’s family lived in after immigrating to Canada.
Reporter Ashley Prest of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote about the opening of the Nygard Gallery:
Fashion mogul Peter Nygård’s childhood home, a one-room homestead with some original furniture, is tucked into a corner of the entrance to his recently renovated 155,000-square foot head office and distribution building on Inkster Boulevard.
Nygård, 40-year employee Rene Law and 48-year employee Irene Golinski cut the ribbon Wednesday to officially unveil the $5-million expansion to the building and celebrate the 50th anniversary of his company.
The Inkster building, which opened in 1976, is a large leap from the company’s humble beginnings on Adelaide Street in 1968, Nygård told an assembled crowd of about 200 people, including employees, family, friends and some dignitaries. Guests included former lieutenant-governor Pearl McGonigal, MLA Scott Johnson (St. James) and Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan).
“This particular building and this particular development, yeah, I know it’s gone a little overboard, but I don’t know how else to do it anymore. It’s always got to be the best or nothing at all,” Nygård said to appreciative laughter from the crowd. “This is sort of taking New York into Winnipeg and taking Falcon Lake into Winnipeg right on Inkster.”
Prest describes a fascinating look at the inside of the Gallery itself, which opened last week:
The building’s entrance has been transformed into a museum, which chronicles the company’s history and doubles as a monument to Nygård. Two giant screens show fashion shows from over the years with back-lit, full-body photos of famous super models such as Linda Evangelista, Tyra Banks and Beverly Johnson lining a seating area with plank tables and faux palm trees.
But larger than life are the photographs of Nygård himself. Collages on three walls depict Nygård with actors, politicians and models he has met during his career. Electronic photo albums are scattered about the first few metres of the entrance showing photos of Nygård throughout the years of growing his empire, as a child and a young man. There’s even a classic car.
(“Fashion mogul unveils Inkster office renovation: Museum chronicles Nygård’s career”: September 13, 2018)
The Winnipeg Sun also reports on the grand occasion:
In celebration of 50 years in business Nygard International showed off its $5 million makeover at its 1771 Inkster Boulevard location this week.
The facility’s exterior was completely redone and the building is now home to an extensive museum chronicling its history as well as founder Peter Nygard’s life. The museum includes the Nygard family homestead from Deloraine, which was their home when they came to Canada, as well as artifacts from his life and clothing the company has designed and produced through the decades.
(“Nygard celebrating 50 years in fashion”: September 13, 2018)
Congratulations to Peter Nygard on his 50 years and the opening of his new Gallery!
