When Barneys Ruled New York

Plus: Diana's "Important Warnings" to Will and Harry

View in browser | Update preferences SUBSCRIBE FOR FULL ACCESS MATTHEW LYNCH, EXECUTIVE EDITOR It wouldn't be novel at this point to find cultural parallels between the early days of the second Trump era and the go-go Reagan '80s. And it's never a bad time to revisit the history of Barneys, New York's era-defining department store. Suffice it to say, today's excerpt from Gene Pressman, whose family owned the retailer for decades, hits a perfect note for late summer 2025. Elsewhere today, an extraordinary story from Rachel Dodes about a death row inmate who became a murder investigator himself; David Canfield visits the hottest TV set in town; and Katie Nicholl reports on a royal move. More tomorrow… Killer Instinct BY RACHEL DODES William Noguera was sentenced to death row as a teenager after an act of rage he never stopped regretting. But his redemption arc while incarcerated brought him perilously close to some of the most violent criminals in America, including Joseph Naso, a convicted serial killer whose true body count—and culpability—became Noguera's mission to expose. From the September issue, read part one of Rachel Dodes's chilling story. READ MORE Read All About It EXCLUSIVE On Set of The Pitt Season Two BY DAVID CANFIELD Noah Wyle and the cast of the medical drama tease some key upcoming moments witnessed on set by VF while also reflecting on their Emmy-nominated breakout first season. Plus: Wyle dances. READ MORE ROYALS Will and Kate's Fresh New Start BY KATIE NICHOLL Following Queen Elizabeth's death and Princess Kate and King Charles both being diagnosed with cancer, the couple wants to "start afresh," says a source. READ MORE IN CONVERSATION Ayo's Ambitions BY REBECCA FORD Actor and director Ayo Edebiri, who was nominated in both Emmy categories, reveals her ambitions for writing and directing in the future, including giving a certain purple dinosaur of children's TV the film treatment. READ MORE Spotlight When Barneys Was King BY GENE PRESSMAN In Reagan's bull market '80s, Gordon Gekko types and avant-garde artists mingled at the same cult-favorite store. In an exclusive excerpt from his new memoir, They All Came to Barneys, former co-CEO Gene Pressman takes us inside the heyday of his family business: "We get the yuppies—the baby boomers who have the taste and the disposable income," said longtime Barneys executive Peter Rizzo. "They want quality and unique things for themselves…and for their sons." READ MORE Royal Report The Son of Norway's Crown Princess Could Face Prison Time Marius Borg Høiby is facing an indictment for 32 offenses, including four for rape, one with sexual intercourse and three without. Princess Diana's "Important Warnings" Before She Died According to a private secretary and confidant of the late princess, her sons would be wise to heed her example. MORE FROM VANITY FAIR POLITICS BUSINESS HOLLYWOOD STYLE ROYALS CELEBRITY This e-mail was sent to you by VANITY FAIR. To ensure delivery to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders), please add our e-mail address, vanityfair@newsletter.vf.com, to your address book. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2025. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.