VMSD International Visual Competition 2008

First place, In-store accessories/beauty/shoes presentation
Macy’s Chicago, Sarah Jessica Parker Covet launch, Chicago

For the launch of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Covet perfume, Jon Jones, director of visual for Macy’s Chicago, used a series of repeating acrylic graphic panels and a giant 10-by-10-foot doubled-sided banner to create a dramatic statement.

Tempered glass shards, metallic gold signing icons and lime green elevations, all resting on black carpet, add to the striking display.

“It’s a great use of color and scale,” says judge Tracey Lanz, design director, Landor Associates (Cincinnati).

Client: Macy’s, Chicago – Paul Anthony, visual specialist, cosmetics; Benjamin Cornue, visual team lead; Jon Jones, director, State Street visual; Denise Hurley, visual specialist

Flooring: Exposition Carpet, Chicago

Lighting: Frost Lighting, Chicago

Signage/Graphics:Color Image, Chicago; Grafix Shoppe, Eagan, Minn.

Photography: Susan Kezon, Chicago

First place, Holiday windows: merchandise
Holt Renfrew, Holiday 2007, Haute Couture

The Canadian luxury department store retailer chose holiday windows that evoked the grandeur of Dior fashion shows with a setting in pure white, including all white propping, furniture and lighting. Mannequins decked in colorful fashions made a big statement in different settings, which included an exclusive photo shoot, fitting room and backstage of a show.

“Nice composition and lighting,” said judge Jay Kratz, architect, senior design manager, marketing/branded environments, Luxottica Retail.

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

Outside Design Consultant: BGM Imaging, (surfaces, display, icons)

Flooring: Little Feet Ltd. (scenery, display)

Furniture: Stanley Wagman Antiques, Toronto; Trianon, Toronto; Inquisitive, Toronto; South Hill Home, Toronto

Lighting: Westbury National Show Systems Ltd.

Mannequins: Rootstein, London; Gender, Montreal; Patina V, New York

Props/Decoratives: Forget Me Not Floral, Toronto (landscape concept); Theatrix, Toronto; Ornaments Ltd., Concord, Ont.; Rodney’s Oyster House, Toronto; Creative Display and Studio Specialties, Toronto; Two Hot Peppers, Toronto

Signage/Graphics: Dot and Dash, Toronto

Photography: Jay Robinson, Saw Photography, Toronto

First place, Holiday windows: Non-merchandise
Macy’s Herald Square, Santa’s Big Night

Inspired by such classic Christmas shows, as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “A Year without Santa Claus,” Macy’s created “Santa’s Big Night” for its 2007 holiday display.

Window director Paul Olszewski created a retro feel through colors and costumes. Each window tells the story of Santa’s wild ride taken each year on Christmas Eve, including scenes at his command center, checking his naughty and nice list, and rushing to get ready.

Technology played a part too, with a fully operational roller coaster flinging Santa through a snowstorm. In another, visitors appeared on the Naughty or Nice camera.

Client : Macy’s Herald Square, New York – Paul Olszewski, director of windows; Douglas Fowler, window manager;

Design: Spaeth Designs, New York

Music Production: Glen Tarachow, New York

Story/script and video production: Kit McCracken Advertising, New York

Sound Technician: Manu Sawkar, new York

Lighting: Joshua Epstein, New York

Photography: Richard Cadan, Brooklyn, N.Y.

First Place, Windows: Special themes
Holt Renfrew, April Scale

For its April window theme, Holt Renfrew took a playful look at scale inside its Bloor Street windows. Items that are realistically small, such as a comb or string of pearls, were transformed into larger-than-life objects.

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: Goldsmith, New York

Props/decoratives: Tom McAneney, Toronto

Signage/Graphics: Dot and Dash, Toronto

Wallpaper: Farrow and Ball, England

Photography: Jay Robinson, Saw Photography, Toronto

More first place winners here.