No Risk, No Reward

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE 2023 has come and gone and we’re kicking off 2024 with another exciting “Look Book” issue. This coveted, year-round guide features the latest retail products available across the industry – from mannequins and forms to lighting to props and decoratives to signage and graphics and everything in between.

And what would Look Book be without our annual holiday windows recap? Penned by our Managing Editor Olivia Taylor, this feature showcases some of the most showstopping holiday windows and displays from around the world that debuted during November and December 2023. New to this year is the Gene Moore Winning Window Award, which we’re happy to announce will become part of our regular holiday window coverage.

I’m certain I learned about Gene Moore during my first week on the job at VMSD, and if your job touches anything related to visual merchandising, I’m sure you’ve heard of him, too! Beyond the 5000-plus windows and displays Moore created during his storied career – many featured on old covers of VMSD, and some currently on view throughout the new Tiffany & Co. “Landmark” store as art installations – the industry icon was known as an out-of-the-box creative who pushed the boundaries (and fantasy) of contemporary visual merchandising.

The goal of the new award is to honor a window each year worthy of Moore’s design prowess, one that exemplifies an outstanding level of VM technique and strategy. Our expert judges – Eric Feigenbaum, VMSD; Judy Bell, Energetic Retail; Tom Beebe, Window Wizard, Consultant; Joe Baer, ZenGenius Inc. – were asked to evaluate a selection of windows based on artistic interpretation, technical execution and impactful innovation, holiday spirit, as well as a creative use of elements. Our judges were also encouraged to ask: “Did this window take a risk?” See pg. 10 to read more about this year’s winner and the windows from this past holiday season.

Since our last issue hit mailboxes, the VMSD staff attended NRF’s “Retail’s Big Show” in New York, presented the Markopoulos Award to famed Architect Peter Marino, and have begun prepping for the second annual Shop! MarketPlace trade show coming to the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati this April 9-11. Our March/April issue will include more info about those events and happenings, as well as our 12th consecutive Designer Dozen Awards. Stay tuned to the magazine, our website and social media channels for more content, reviews and updates over the coming months. It’s the Year of the Dragon, after all, and VMSD is coming in hot!

Happy New Year from the VMSD team.