less is more

Fashion, Style, Trend, at times it all just gets too complicated, there is no segment of retail more complicated and frustrating than women's ready to wear... and I've paid my dues. It is an unfortunate fact that in the display industry Women's wear is considered to be highest level one can achieve, it is the Valhalla of all display disciplines. One can only hope to achieve perceived greatness in display by being employed by a local women's style maven, which may lead to even greater fame by being employed by a designer or retailer of national renown. The big stumbling block in this route to fame and fortune are with rare exception are the clients one must learn to deal with. I've worked with many and by in large found them to be selfish, spoiled, insecure and petty, [the dark side of the fabulous fashion industry] or worse, processed of the illusion that they are artists. Over the years I found myself preferring men's wear, home, auto, anything but women's wear. I think that my advancing age might also be a factor,I just am longer as patient as I once was, and less inclined bow to fashion du jour [or a retailers] every whim. "The Devil Wears Prada", was the clearest most concise representation of the down side of fashion ever documented. I am fortunate to have among my longest standing clients the exception to the majority of my experience "Annie Prue" Annie and daughter Stephanie are my favorite women's retailers. Annie is one of the very rare clear thinking retailers who can look past the latest trend to find lasting style. She has an eye for quality and longevity in the selections she makes for her store. Annie is the embodiment of the old rule; "a well dressed woman never wears more than 7 items, counting both shoes". I find it amusing that in this "post excess" period of recession the simplicity espoused by A.P. for many years is at the forefront of fashion again. Stephanie has brought to their partnership a more youthful take on Annie's classic choices bringing a new clientele who appreciate clean, modern, unpretentious dressing. This is the third interior I've done for them and my favorite to date. Just like their philosophy in apparel I tried create a clear simple straight forward approach to display of their goods. To invoke the old adage again "Less is More"

The Last Window

Here it is the last window, I've been doing this everyday since Halloween. Not that I am complaining, its a window dressers lot in life and this year has been less intense than some previous years, [due mainly to less work] 2009 is a year that I will be glad to see go, I've watched as my long time clients have struggled to survive the worst year in our retail history and I've struggled to maintain a positive attitude, it hasn't been easy to Ho Ho Ho through this one. I hope that over all sales are at least at a par with some of the pre- recession seasons from the past, although Christmas sales have been off for a decade or so, the Internet has seen to that.The only upside I see from this year long horror is less retail, with many national chains eliminating unproductive stores perhaps the owner operated locals can pick up new customers who value the pride, service and integrity evident only in small operations. Lets hope that 2010 is a better year.

History repeating

I have posted previously about my formal wear account Black Tie,the owner Bob Smith and I have a very long association.It was in the early 80's that through some means Bob requested a trimmer and I was it. With few exceptions we have had a long and creative relationship. Bob has always understood the power of "perceived value" I attach to his products and the need for display in a retail establishment. Over the years Black Tie has grown into Tips Uniforms, Suzanne Roberts women's apparel and most recently Kitchenette a foodies fun store. I am proud of his accomplishments and proud to say I had a part in them all. Through the years Bob and I have come up with truly unique windows so many in fact that it is difficult to remember them all. We have had Angels,devils,waiters,chefs,restaurants,tycoons,proms,juke boxes,pinball machines,live rabbits,break dancers,endless weddings,tropical themes,Santa suits,elf suits,discos,jazz clubs,the Titanic [more than once] Paris, London, New York, and every single event that involves formal dress has been in his window..A few weeks ago Bob are I were discussing the upcoming Christmas effort.[perhaps the 34th one].I expressed my dissatisfaction with the past years windows, Were turning into Brooks Brothers! I said, What has happened to the Cecile B DeMille productions we used to do? [Age is the answer we used to be barely 30 and now were pushing 60] I've worked too long at this to allow myself to slip into display oblivion. I hunkered down at pulled out my old "L'Enfant terribe" head set and came up with the tag line, Cool,Old School,Yule, I will prove that I still have what it takes,to cause a stir and attract attention,little did I know what I was really doing. It wasn't until I stepped back to admire 3 days worth of work that I realized what had happened. The window was Bob and me 35 years ago,we were the characters in my little play..the world was our oyster,full of possibilities glamour and fame.We have been doing this for so long that the new generations we are now addressing at one time were us. history is indeed repeating. Take a look... http://picasaweb.google.com/vardisellis/BlackTieChristmas09#

Merry Christmas

Here I am in the middle of the Christmas rush...a new window everyday,with no time in between jobs. Under normal circumstances I spend a few days thinking up a clever tag line or a play on words that suits the merchandise or the season W.W.D. is so good at it and I'm always jealous of their results. At Christmas you might as well forget it, there is never enough time and everything thing has been done already. Here are a few of my favorites; "A Gift for Giving" Macy's, I think, awhile ago or "Christmas Presence" a great tag line if there ever was one from Strawbridge's,our late lamented local department store [a hold out from a time when all stores used the more recently forbidden word "Christmas", after all Christ was Jewish,doesn't that cover everything? so whats the big deal?]. Speaking of the use of the word Christmas, in case you live on the moon I'm sure you have noticed the return of its use. Last year Target hung huge signs in their entrances that said "Merry Christmas"good for them! It is Christmas after all and after decades of tiresome political correctness retailers are facing the fact that it is Christmas, not the "Holidays"as it has come to be known, does that include the 4Th of July?. The concept of equal representation for all beliefs is all very democratic and I'm the first to admit its a noble gesture, but lets face facts here.. Christmas is the reason for the season and nothing can change that, its the BIG one and the majority rules, I shouldn't feel guilty expressing my wishes for A Merry Christmas, to anyone I meet. The awkward moments of instant profiling before you express the greeting are contrary to the very meaning of Christmas and made more absurd by the fear of wishing any party you meet the wrong seasonal salutation. That being said, its Christmas, love it, hate it, want to hide from it, wish it was over, but never feel guilty about expressing it in a moment of true Christmas spirit and maybe we really could achieve peace on earth.