VMSD International Visual Competition 2008

Award of merit, Windows: Special themes
Holt Renfrew, Tokyo Technocolor

Holt highlighted August’s key fashion trend of “technocolor” using plays on space and crowded spaces. Mannequins towered over the landscape of Tokyo, as in a classic Godzilla movie. Each window featured a background with a “technocolor” palette.

Design: Holt Renfrew & Co. Ltd., Toronto – Tracy Fellows, vp, marketing; John Gerhardt, creative director; Tracey Peters, manager, national visual and merchandising; Susanne Shaw, visual presentation manager

Mannequins/forms: Schlappi, Switzerland; Bonaveri, Italy; Pucci, Toronto

Props/decoratives: Tom McAneney, Toronto

Signage/Graphics: Dot and Dash, Toronto

Photography: Jay Robinson, Saw Photography, Toronto

Award of merit, Windows: Fashion Collection, Apparel
Ann Taylor, Spring 2007

The fashion retailer took inspiration from black-and-white photography of Dorothy Draper’s mid-century interiors for its Spring 2007 windows. The season’s graphic achromatic prints and accessories were presented in vignettes using mannequins as “statues.” Shades of green created a counterpoint to the black-and-white details.

Design: Ann Taylor, New York – Victor Johnson, director, visual presentation

Mannequins: Adel Rootstein, New York

Design, Fabrication and Installation: Supercreator, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Photography: Kitty Cheung, New York and Bryan Ellingson, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Award of merit, Windows: Fashion Collection, Apparel
The Bay, Spring 2007 windows

Blue and green vine-like patterns on these window backdrops and glassfronts helped announce the arrival of spring fashions at The Bay’s Toronto flagship.

Design: Hudson’s Bay Co., Toronto – Ana Fernandes, creative design manager; Denis Frenette, director, ISM-HBC

Mannequins: DK Display, New York

Props/decoratives: V&L Associates, Mississauga, Ont.; Danson Decor, St. Laurent, Que.

Signage/graphics: Zebra Studios, Toronto

Photography: James Doiron, Toronto

Award of merit, Windows: Fashion Collection, Home
The Bay, Spring Home “Believe In” windows

Using two key trends in home – textured whites and bamboo – Hudson’s Bay Co. created two styles of windows with strong backwall images.

In one series, oversized letters were painted and textured to match the trend each was spelling out. In the other, two-tiered tables matched the fascia of the large letters, telling a story while also relating to the merchandise.

Design: Hudson’s Bay Co., Toronto – Ana Fernandes, creative design manager; Denis Frenette, director, ISM-HBC

Props and decoratives: Colorline Display & Screening, Cambridge, Ont.; Wm. Prager, Toronto

Signage/graphics: Zebra Studios, Toronto

Photography: James Doiron, Toronto

Award of merit, Windows: Seasonal Event
The Bay, Get it Together, Back to School windows

Judges enjoyed the repetition of product, colors and mannequins in this back-to-school promotion for Hudson’s Bay Co. In one window, kid-sized mannequins were in perfect form doing handstands in the school lunchroom.

Client: Hudson’s Bay Co., Toronto – Ana Fernandes, creative design manager; Denis Frenette, director, ISM-HBC

Mannequins/Forms: Pucci, New York; DK Display, New York

Props and decoratives: Umbra, Toronto; Bel-Par Ind., Surrey, B.C.

Signage/graphics: Zebra Studios, Toronto

Photography: James Doiron, Toronto

Award of merit, Windows: Seasonal Event
David Jones, The Fabulous Festival of Fantastic Flora Spring Flower Show

Letters of the alphabet gave passersby a hint of the flowers and animals displayed in the retailer’s annual flower show windows, such as “O” for ostrich and orchids.

Design: David Jones Ltd., Sydney – Alisha Wilson, window specialist; Lisa Lubar, stores visual merchandising manager; Elizabeth Street Store visual merchandising team

Flowers: George Low, Sydney

Outside Design Consultant: Flash Photobition, Sydney (printing vinyl, backdrops and ticketing)

Photography: Brett Cornish Photography, Sydney, Australia

More Awards of Merit here.