The contemporary department at the retailer’s Bloor Street flagship gets an infusion of color.
By Anne DiNardo
“It’s amazing how color transforms our mood,” says John Gerhardt, creative director for Holt Renfrew. Gerhardt himself experienced that power when he received a bright-green wallet as a gift. “I found myself looking at the wallet and feeling happy,” he says.
Turning joy into inspiration, he sought to remodel the monochromatic contemporary department at the retailer’s Bloor Street flagship into an area that would “inspire a sense of hope.”
With a strong nod to the ’80s, including influences from fluorescent light artist Dan Flavin and conceptual artist Barbara Kruger, Holt Renfrew peppered six primary Pantone colors on vinyl graphics, mannequins and fixturing. A white backdrop allows a green display wall or yellow mannequin to stand out, while still making the clothing the hero.
Visual props express Holt’s signature wittiness, including an oversized granite bust that could be topped with ill-mannered pigeons one month and covered in moss the next. “It’s important to be unexpected,” adds Gerhardt.
Project Participants:
Client
Holt Renfrew & Co. Ltd, Toronto: Tracy Fellows, vp, marketing; John Gerhardt, creative director; Tracey Peters, manager, national visual and merchandising; corporate and Bloor visual and merchandising team
Bangle Fixtures
Torre and Tagus, Vancouver, B.C.
Mannequins/Forms
Goldsmith Inc., New York
Bonaveri Manichini, Renazzo di Cento, Italy
DK Display, New York
Mirrors
EQ3, Toronto
Music Programming
Intertain, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Plexi Boxes
Pather Plastics, Toronto
Signage/Graphics
Dot and Dash, Toronto
BGM, Toronto
Wallcoverings and Materials
Dot and Dash, Toronto
A shearling layered leather cardigan; some sexy boots; some vintage scope. You dont demand Hermes Birkin Replica pilots license to justify adding some of these to your closet, for their pure presence delivers Hermes Kelly bag spectacular sense of adventure. So it is that the timeless aviation master is an undying supply of trend inspiration which keeps popping up time and time once more, no matter what C however without doubt tied within C the world of trends
Holt Renfrew is truly one of the top sources of designer handbags and luxury goods. After its first chain in Quebec City, it has continued to set up chains in Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.
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I agree with your thoughts. Color has its all capabilities to brighten our day and make us happy. We have a feeling of relaxed and stimulated when our surroundings are colorful except for those who are color blinded. As long as the colors we're matched correctly it's attractive. PFGBest