Spreading across an entire New York City block, Bergdorf Goodman is a veritable shrine to the best fashion has to offer. Still overseen by the descendants of the same family that began it back in 1901, Bergdorf’s has inspired awe from its workers, customers and the fashion designers lucky enough to have their products available there.

The epitome of luxury, spending $6,000 on a pair of boots is expected. Director Matthew Miele’s Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s is a gloriously vain documentary about a place where the best fashion designers in the world sell their wares to drape the nouveau and old money riche. One female interviewee remarks that yes, while these are expensive things; it gives the dreamers “something to aspire to.” While her statement does come off sounding a bit pompous, in this capitalist society we live in, she has a valid point. None of us knows what we would do with it if we had a lot of disposable income. Perhaps we would become fashionista’s like the celebrities featured in this documentary. Heck, we are told that on Christmas Eve many moons ago, Yoko Ono dropped $400,000 on furs (in 1970’s money), while John Lennon looked on approvingly.

Bergdorf GoodmanThough Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s was partly funded by a descendent of one of the founders, Matthew Miele has made a lively film that’s not overly reverential to its subject. It takes a look at the store’s legendary personal shoppers, with particular focus on Betty Halbreich, who at 85 has shopped for countless celebrities and has reportedly had her life story optioned to HBO. It also examines the creation of the display windows, which I have to admit, are impressive.

We get to look on as fashion director Linda Fargo decides whether young designers are ready to have their clothes in the store. Charming, yet decisive she knows what’s appropriate for the store and will accept nothing less. I’ll admit though, when young designer Ally Hilfiger, the daughter of Tommy came in, I couldn’t help but wonder if a little nepotism was at work.

Fashion fans are bound to love the faces that show up here. Miele has gathered 175 interviews. Karl Lagerfeld, Mark Jacobs, Vera Wang and Jason Wu serve to reinforce designer Isaac Mizrahi’s statement that clothes that aren’t at Bergdorf’s are clothes going nowhere. It’s fascinating to watch these fashion heavyweights discuss their passion, but if you’re looking for a critical analysis of Bergdorf Goodman, look elsewhere.

The special features are inconsequential but amusing. There is an alternate introduction and interview outtakes.