tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15648945198703517782012-02-16T01:22:59.698-05:00A personal look at 35 years in the life of a freelance window dresser or "How an artist exploits his talents to survive"Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.comBlogger531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-91855261566757422822011-03-23T11:35:00.001-04:002011-03-23T19:43:43.752-04:00

Liz is gone… another icon from the era of the big Hollywood studios has died. I suppose to many succeeding generations this will mean little and go unnoticed . I for one grieve for the loss, I remember well the influence that these megastars exerted on the culture of the 50s and 60s. It was not only her beauty that made her renown, it was also her blatant casting off of husband after husband.

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-70438759282831605402011-03-18T13:28:00.001-04:002011-03-18T13:34:01.327-04:00

NEW BLOG....Retail Fix....

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-40569543870088217532011-03-10T06:49:00.001-05:002011-03-10T08:21:59.487-05:00

Moi As hundreds of Philadelphians crowd this years flower show,"Springtime in Paris" Paris is embracing all things American. I will freely admit that I am an old school Francophile, I have always loved all things french, as do a great many others here in Philadelphia. I see the reason for this has to do with our three hundred year history,all the way back to Ben Franklin's special relationship

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-89241134713506911592011-03-07T06:04:00.002-05:002011-03-07T06:21:18.957-05:00

Dior had no choice but to fire John Galliano. His drunken attack on an innocent bystander was inexcusable. He exposed an ugly side of the fashion industry that still exists [sad to say]. You don't bite the hand that feeds you. His comments have put an end to his career, I doubt that he will regain his place among the elite of fashion. In his defence I will only say that the highly competitve

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-23830463974080359082011-02-28T06:35:00.000-05:002011-02-28T06:35:10.651-05:00

Books...All this talk of books becoming obsolete is simply not true. Nothing can replace the thrill of high quality reproductions on beautiful expensive paper. I prize my library beyond most of my other possessions. All the electronic pads that Apple is flooding the markets with will never replace the feeling of sitting down with a favorite book and absorbing  each plate for detail that one might

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-83302357835560826412011-02-25T10:00:00.001-05:002011-02-25T19:10:39.505-05:00

I normally stay away from politics in my blog, but recent events have made it impossible for me to keep my mouth shut. I'm hearing from various sources that Obama's decision to not support D.O.M.A. is nothing more than a distraction...to shift the media attention from the " bigger issues''' at hand, perhaps this is so, but at this point any I will gladly welcome any move that is positive and

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-61793722298797269952011-02-03T06:35:00.000-05:002011-02-03T06:35:08.451-05:00

I've been a devotee of vintage ever since I can remember. Seeking out choice pieces in thrift and resale shops is my greatest delight. When I started searching back in the 70s shops were full of beautiful pieces from the 40s and 50s, alas those days are gone. Today the best one can find are "Dynasty" era confections padded to death or really unappealing synthetic menwear. I've mentioned before

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-41216761025517619692011-01-29T04:45:00.000-05:002011-01-29T04:45:26.698-05:00

I know its been awhile since I posted. Things have been very complicated of late,and rather than bore my readers with my bitching I decided to remain quiet. I saw this in this mornings New York Times and decided to pass it along. Martha has not faded from the scene, [except from K Mart which she pulled out of ] Good move Martha. She has taken up residence in Home Depot the bastion of male

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-55346383459336317832010-11-20T09:06:00.012-05:002010-11-21T11:37:02.332-05:00

   Dear Readers; I have been just too busy to write,but came across this article that I would like to share,being on the inside of retail the articles points are not new to me. Thanksgiving is just around the corner so my life should return to its normal madness in a week or so, get ready for some juicy postings on Christmas present. This year Christmas is really CHRISTMAS,in

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-63462408686271932372010-09-26T12:39:00.005-04:002010-10-29T19:09:14.365-04:00

This has been a year of reunions for me. This past summer I attended my 40-year high school reunion an event which covered those friends from grade school through high school. Next month is the 40 year reunion for those who were fortunate enough to have survived the South Street Renaissance A gathering of counter culture drawn from all areas of Philadelphia. Artists, actors, poets, chefs, bakers,

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-47724250047793817792010-09-20T16:17:00.019-04:002010-09-20T17:21:48.705-04:00

 Subject: Truths for Mature humans  1. I think part of a best friend's job is to immediately clear your      computer history if you die  2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you      realize you're wrong.  3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was      younger.  4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.  5. How the hell are you

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-88735748557870539532010-08-24T18:16:00.009-04:002010-08-26T16:41:51.409-04:00

To the class of 1970 It has been a week since the reunion and the thought still lingers. It's difficult to express how I feel about the whole process leading up to and the reunion itself, so many realzations it's hard to decide what to write. It has been 4 months since the preparation began and in some ways the planning was the most fun [and challenging] Reuniting with classmates and working

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-26796001206501360932010-08-02T09:48:00.011-04:002010-08-02T23:22:23.531-04:00

Welcome to the dark ages of retailing It has been awhile since my last posting. The reason is that I have been too busy to write and somewhat embarrassed to admit what I have been up to. As most of you know life in the new depression has been rough to say the least, and like many other self employed, independent fools I decided that I would attempt a part time job. How bad could that be? I

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-78965186633419531482010-06-28T21:10:00.000-04:002010-06-28T21:10:49.356-04:00

Delman now there’s a name that’s been around. It conjures visions of Bonwit Teller, Franklin Simon, Kelly Kitt and other "Specialty" women’s stores of the post war era. Elegant stores with mezzanines, tea rooms and millinery departments with individual dressing tables. These were the shops that under protest my mother dragged me through as a child. Little did I know that 50 years later I would be

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-61525738024663919242010-06-03T14:45:00.014-04:002010-06-04T19:16:33.541-04:00

           Once in a great while there comes along a window theme that’s just too good to pass by. the "Sex and the City" production is one those themes. I think it’s been 13 [ouch] years since the series debuted and became a national fashion phnom. The story of 4 women all distinctly different types and their romantic escapades set in the world of New York's high and low fashion, popular trends

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-15574267421251487012010-05-07T04:20:00.003-04:002010-05-07T04:33:26.673-04:00

Click on Must See

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-72407931782954814402010-04-19T13:04:00.011-04:002010-05-09T21:00:03.209-04:00

Everyone has endured the angst of a class reunion at one time in their lives and I am no exception. I have a big one coming this summer. I cringe to say this is the 40 year reunion, and of course I have no idea how this event arrived so quickly. Where did the last 20 years of my life go? I had never planned on being this old, but just like Dad used to say.."They sneak up on ya".they sure did but

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-68246385659612378072010-04-06T17:18:00.007-04:002010-05-09T21:02:25.962-04:00

As I have stated before out of adversity comes opportunity. I have recently been acquiring work, not an unusual occurrence this time of year it is after all spring and a chance for retailers to come on strong with fresh products to tempt you a take that winter weary plastic out for a walk. The difference this year is that I have been hired by a real estate management company. In case you have not

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-84771514397617802012010-03-25T07:33:00.004-04:002010-05-09T21:03:20.612-04:00

This season in men's wear has been a refreshing change from the last few. This slim 60's look has at least given me a hook to latch on to. The latest men's window at Ernesto gave me a chance to pull out the "Rat Pack" always an attention getter. The exploits of these men are the stuff of legend, and appeal to both young and old. link for more ....http://picasaweb.google.com/vardisellis/

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-87598346389978456942010-03-24T18:29:00.002-04:002010-03-24T18:29:45.320-04:00

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1QGIv5/www.gillesvidal.com/blogpano/paris.htm

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-30456902301140052432010-03-19T06:37:00.002-04:002010-05-09T21:03:44.147-04:00

http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/fabulous-dead-people-millicent-rogers/

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-66371245572565508282010-03-09T19:56:00.005-05:002010-05-09T21:05:30.713-04:00

March.....its not spring, its not winter, it's the month before income tax, it can be 60 degrees one day and a snow squall the next and then it will rain for days on end, not my favorite month. March is also my birthday month, an event in my distant past that was a bright spot in a thoroughly forgettable month, not so any longer. I seem to be collecting more birthdays than a maternity ward. I

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-84466148617985391942010-02-24T10:54:00.007-05:002010-05-09T21:08:42.330-04:00

The downward slide in retail continues and I grow more impatient waiting for jobs so I am spending more time painting. I have to admit I am enjoying it more than I expected, I don't know why I’m surprised it was the only thing I ever did well. I am now experiencing the same satisfaction I did as a child, locking myself away in my room to immerse myself in the subject I was drawing, for hours on

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-71390714886433891582010-02-22T06:12:00.000-05:002010-02-22T06:12:14.411-05:00

Hit this link

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-2855919382522508842010-02-04T05:52:00.005-05:002010-05-09T21:09:20.509-04:00

Lets say that it has been a less than stellar year for my clients, so when I run across an article like the link below I get excited. Ernesto Custom Tailors has been a client for more years than I care to remember [my annual bottle of homemade Limoncello has something to do with my tenure] A family of old school tailors, their father Ernesto, whom I enjoy despite his Bob Hope vintage jokes and

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-9653855928906904352010-02-04T03:21:00.001-05:002010-02-04T06:53:42.017-05:00

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-look/well-groomed-male/staticslideshowgq.aspx?cp-documentid=23312429&gt1=32002

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-86889913992950819572010-01-18T07:44:00.004-05:002010-05-09T21:11:03.322-04:00

My intuition is correct...It seems the 30 somethings are returning to the world of real clothing. This spells a brighter future for the men's clothing market which has had a miserable time of late. It's just a little bit of history repeating, as I remember my generation cast off conventional attire as well..only to embrace it later in life. This recession has made it necessary to keep ones job

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-51261815099448876302010-01-12T08:04:00.001-05:002010-05-09T21:11:29.602-04:00

I have not posted in awhile because the pets have been keeping me busy. I must admit the artwork has been a pleasant change from the grind of retail. Spring seems to be shaping up a few design jobs have materialized and dismantling Christmas always makes January busy. I've posted a portrait that I am rather fond of, a beautiful dog and a perfect pose. It's like they always say, "Practice makes

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-28197687101271671222009-12-17T09:03:00.004-05:002010-05-09T21:12:34.210-04:00

I was so right with my Black Tie playboy windowIt never ceases to amaze me how the collective consciousness works.Here's the proof an article in the Times..Mad Men and 60s slick..interfaces perfectly with Hugh Hefner,Playboy and my Black Tie Christmas window...I guess I haven't lost my touch yet. Hit the link and read this

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-668473196689056552009-12-14T09:10:00.006-05:002010-05-09T21:13:25.596-04:00

As you have all figured out by now retail has not been good of late. Here I am at the top of my career and they pulled the rug out from under me. I am not saying that work has disappeared completely, but just a year ago everything was fine....now it's not....I still have design work on the board and there are clients endeavoring to update and even a few brave souls attempting to open new stores,

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-60149482952729523302009-12-03T14:16:00.003-05:002010-05-09T21:13:47.485-04:00

http://www.kerrytaylorauctions.com/currentsale.php?pageNum_cur_sale_list=0&totalRows_cur_sale_list=335

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-29130557258623152112009-11-29T11:22:00.002-05:002010-05-09T21:14:52.013-04:00

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

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-3051968954527678482009-11-25T08:34:00.001-05:002010-05-09T21:15:47.536-04:00

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

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-7782848740786911322009-11-14T06:16:00.008-05:002010-05-09T21:16:26.203-04:00

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

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-56934680050486432932009-11-12T19:43:00.008-05:002010-05-09T21:16:57.019-04:00

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

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-25846312940852702012009-10-24T09:40:00.013-04:002010-05-09T21:17:32.330-04:00

Christmas will be upon us in a week or so. Before the Grinch takes hold of me I would like to share a memory or two of Christmas past. Whether we want to admit it or not many of our fondest holiday stories are retail related. Christmas, children and retail have gone hand in hand since some enterprising retailer first donned a Santa suit. I was born in Cleveland, Ohio and although Cleveland has

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-3036123110920404562009-10-22T06:19:00.012-04:002010-05-09T21:18:02.445-04:00

It's a beautiful October day and it has just occurred to me that my sidewalk retail days are numbered. It's time to drag out all my vestiges of Christmas past with the hope that I can eat a decent dinner tonight, the ramen noodle thing is growing old. The benefit or detriment of my profession is the accumulation of items used in past displays. I have one of everything and sometimes 2 or 3 or 5 or

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-79279423041430351032009-10-18T09:29:00.002-04:002009-10-18T09:31:52.575-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-91246571317641716612009-10-18T08:13:00.008-04:002009-10-28T08:45:41.435-04:00

Just when I thought that I had encountered every category in retail along comes a new one. Reptiland,[yes its spelled this way] Rep-ti-land. Just as the name implies it is a roadside attraction, devoted to reptiles and amphibians, established a generation ago by Clyde Peeling, a devotee of our scaley friends, Alligators, crocodiles,snakes,frogs,turtles and lizards. This is no Florida alligator

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-41464367840344012632009-10-15T06:47:00.013-04:002009-10-27T14:07:56.005-04:00

Here's a story I can't help but comment on. We all know how photo shop has changed the advertising landscape, making us all feel too old, too fat, and too everything that people really are. Ralph Lauren really pulled a good one this time. Take a look at what some enterprising computer minion created. Poor Phillipa has been turned into a bobble head. The amazing thing is that this was approved for

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-51431252895806828412009-10-14T14:34:00.017-04:002009-10-14T14:48:46.533-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-33562237394767591262009-10-14T13:52:00.012-04:002009-10-14T18:33:38.014-04:00

Here it is Christmas time again and lucky for me I'm starting to book a few new jobs but nothing like it used to be. I have decided it is going to be a "Non Bling" season. No gold this year..and of course the designers of ladies apparel have already seen to that. This years BIG color story is grey and every shade of purple, and of course the ferrous accent is silver...No gold....Even red is

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-60950050399463815042009-10-13T06:08:00.000-04:002009-10-14T09:23:54.274-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-13915340457842903622009-10-13T05:18:00.002-04:002009-10-14T09:24:20.896-04:00

Disney has announces its plan for world domination. While the rest of the retail world has been floundering in self pity Disney has formed an alliance with Steve Jobs to re image the hundreds of Disney stores...Apple and Dis. are turning retail into mini amusement parks with endless Apple interactive thrills, a walk thru a forest of talking trees that know your birthday, set off simulated

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-21241360127029666662009-10-03T12:16:00.002-04:002009-10-03T13:28:21.274-04:00

I have worked for 35 years for a formal wear shop. Throughout my long association I have seen a number of formal neck wear trends, first it was the cross tie those little flat things with a pin in the center, [think Bill Haley and the Comets] Next was the Edwardian Carnaby street those BIG velvet bows worn with "puffy shirts". Which gave way to the Johnny Carson look, the propeller like butterfly

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-21951119620014995602009-10-03T12:10:00.005-04:002009-10-03T13:29:32.293-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-20852039484066633832009-09-28T17:03:00.001-04:002009-09-28T17:14:17.490-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-22176035437180133932009-09-28T16:28:00.007-04:002009-09-28T17:29:21.429-04:00

I just read an article about a retail firm in Canada that decided to mount Christmas last month. The result was not what they expected...I understand the motive,this has been the worse year ever but they should have known what would happen. I have worked for a retail luggage outfit for almost 20 years, we used to have 7 stores, before the collapse. Seven stores to make ready for Christmas is a

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-88800602422455254552009-09-24T16:58:00.017-04:002009-10-02T08:02:10.297-04:00

I suppose there is no need to tell anyone how bad business has been this year, more than once I have considered getting away from all the doom and gloom and selling pizza, hot dogs or maybe doing a Laundromat, something mindless and profitable. Just when I thought the last 30 years have amounted to nothing, along came Debbie. Debbie is one of those disappearing breed of retailers who actually

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-31648180332881513692009-09-23T09:46:00.000-04:002009-09-23T11:07:21.435-04:00

For my entire life I have had to explain upon first meeting anyone new the origin of my name. I would like to get this out of the way as quickly as possible. My full name is Vardis Ellis Kriaris and its a whopper of a name,especially when you are 8 years old. Yes I am of Greek descent,in fact more rightly Cretan,[no jokes please] Three of my grandparents migrated to the U.S. from the island of

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-28318499195690658882009-09-22T18:08:00.000-04:002009-09-23T09:31:50.996-04:00

The intent of this blog is to share my experience and thoughts however great or tragic on retail. Starting with my paper route and a bicycle to the present [and into the future, if there is a future in retail ]. The current economic conditions are a factor in my decision to share my knowledge. I would like to pass on my experience from a past retail world before the memory of how to "Keep Shop"

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-88620440934903838722009-09-22T15:52:00.000-04:002009-09-22T19:26:17.126-04:00

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564894519870351778.post-88288809200171191022009-09-22T14:57:00.000-04:002009-09-22T15:50:51.615-04:00

I've always had retail in my blood, one of my first memories is my mother removing the the price tag from the plush rabbit that became my steadfast friend through my early childhood. He accompanied me on all of the outings my mother and I made, he sat next to me in the shopping cart while she pushed us around the Kroger market, he kept me company while I conducted myself like the perfect little

Vardis Ellis Kriarisnoreply@blogger.com1