Manoel Renha

In 1985, Manoel Renha came to New York from his native Brazil to visit his sister, then dancing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“My plan was to visit New York for a short time, then leave and travel through Europe,” he says.

While in New York, however, Renha, who has a background in architecture and industrial design as well as visual merchandising, was offered a position at Lord & Taylor. He took the job and has been calling the Big Apple home ever since. “Life is like that – you never know what is around the corner,” says Renha, now that retailer's divisional vp, visual merchandising/fashion/special events.

Renha's career in retail had a similarly fortuitous start. He was living in Rio de Janeiro after earning his degree and was offered a job at a department store that was looking to change its image. “I thought the idea was interesting,” he says.

So interesting that Renha has been working in visual merchandising ever since. Among his responsibilities at Lord & Taylor is designing the retailer's famed Fifth Avenue holiday window display. Renha says he approaches the task like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle that takes an entire year to assemble.

And once the curtain rises, how does he measure the ROI on a project that takes up so much of his time and budget? “For me there is only one way – standing in front of the store mingling with the crowds on Fifth Avenue and seeing the smiles and joy on children's faces,” he says. “Our holiday windows are our gift to New York each year.”

Looking for a chance to check out New York's holiday window scene? Attend VM+SD's annual StoreXpo, December 7-8, at the Javits. For more information, visit www.storexpo.info.

What do you like most about your job?

The creative aspect and the challenge of constantly having to come up with new ideas and concepts for a variety of special events, store displays and scenarios for the windows.

What gives you the most stress?

Numbers. It is always a major challenge for me since we must stay within budget and at the same time create spectacular events.

What inspires you?

Everyday life – movies, theater, shows, the streets of a city. It's important to be open to all things around us and be informed and aware of life as it is happening because you never know what can trigger an idea. Sometimes you may see something and be inspired by it much later – never even remembering why!

Does anything in the U.S. compare to the view of Rio's Guanabara Bay from the top of Sugarloaf?

Not really. Through traveling, you realize that experiences and cities are unique. Nothing can compare to the view from the Eiffel Tower, as well, or the Empire State Building or the Grand Canyon – each is unique.

What is your favorite reason to be in Rio – other than Carnival?

Family, friends and, most of all, the energy of that city. Rio is a city that grew up between the ocean and mountains so you are surrounded by nature wherever you turn. It's a huge metropolis in the middle of a tropical paradise. I visit Rio at least once a year to re-charge myself from the hectic pace of New York.

Favorite place to shop (other than Lord & Taylor)?

In New York, antique shops and flea markets, because you never know what you will find. In London, Harvey Nichols and in Brazil, Daslu in São Paulo – that store is amazing!

Will there always be a Lord & Taylor?

Yes, because I cannot imagine New York without such a wonderful place to shop. I hear over and over again from people that they enjoy Lord & Taylor because it is such a “civilized” shopping experience compared to other places in New York. We are one of the country's oldest department stores and that carries with it a piece of old New York charm.