What: Bloomingdale's celebrates an icon that has become synonymous with New York.

Why it is important: Department stores always strive to be as recognizable as the city where they are located.

The iconic Bloomingdale's Brown Bag, originally designed by Massimo Vignelli in 1971 for the store's linen department, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Synonymous with New York City style, it's a bag that many have come to recognize and cherish. To commemorate the half-century mark, Bloomingdale's is hosting a series of events and collaborations. The department store will have a special pop-up featuring Brown Bag-themed merchandise from brands like Ralph Lauren, Stoney Clover Lane, and Clinique. An event at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship will include activations on each floor, artistic contributions from Matthew Langille and FIT students, and themed refreshments at various pop-ups.

On October 7, Bloomingdale’s beauty department will join the celebrations with various activations, including raffles and special offers. While the main festivities are in New York, Bloomingdale's locations across the nation will also mark the anniversary on September 9.

Bloomingdales celebrates 50 years old of its Big Brown Bag