Review: A.R.E. Retail Design Collective 2014

A.R.E. brought together designers, retailers and suppliers this past December in New York for the annual Retail Design Collective, held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, located in the heart of Chelsea.

More than 35 showroom displays and three educational presentations filled the three-day event, with its new headquarters featuring a concentration of pop-up showrooms and sponsor areas, while other permanent showrooms were within walking distance.

The latest trends in visual merchandising, fixtures, lighting and materials were highlighted throughout the show, with many suppliers showcasing their custom designs and manufacturing capabilities.

Reflecting some of fall’s hot fashion trends, several exhibitors presented a neutral or black and white palette in their displays, including CNL Mannequins, Goldsmith and DK Display Corp. The exceptions: Genesis Mannequins’ eye-popping superhero-inspired Fame collection. Also striking were the primitive and Cubist-looking mannequins on display at Silvestri California.

After seasons of a rugged industrial aesthetic, attendees observed a return to high-gloss metal finishes from several fixture suppliers, including Alpha Display Co. Inc. and JPMA Global Inc.

The annual PAVE gala drew a sold-out crowd of retailers, designers and suppliers to Cipriani Wall Street for networking, fundraising and a celebration of achievement in visual merchandising and retail design. This year’s PAVE Rising Star Award was presented to Sonja Haviland, senior designer, Bergmeyer Associates (Boston).

Honoring New York retail design, VMSD presented its Excellence in Visual Merchandising and Design Award, in the form of a crystal apple, to Polo Ralph Lauren on Fifth Avenue, Free People at Rockefeller Center and Godiva Chocolatier on Fifth Avenue.