PAVE, the Planning and Visual Education Partnership, and FIT, the Fashion Institute of Technology, have created an opportunity for graduate students to understand how retail design and art are natural partners and how the visual arts can be applied to retail design.
The PAVE+FIT = Retail + Art Project is conceived by Ignaz Gorischek, Vice President of Visual Merchandising for CallisonRTKL, with the intention to bring the visual arts into retail design as a source of inspiration and to enhance the experience. “It's so exciting to launch this year-long celebration of fantastic artwork which celebrates the natural connection of the retail design industry to the fine arts,” explains Harry Cunningham, PAVE President. As Gorischek explains, “Creative expression is an excellent catalyst to inspire, educate, inform, and create memorable experiences, while allowing talented artists to be introduced to the retail business world.”
On Display:
Macy’s
Herald Square, NYC
April 19 – May 15
– All 14 forms on display across six 34th Street windows dedicated to Vera Bradley’s “Havana Rose” and “Havana Dots” collections.
PAVE Gala in NYC
December 6: All 14 of the one-of-a-kind forms will be on display.
Additional locations will be announced throughout 2017. Please visit www.paveglobal.org for details.
Fourteen talented graduate students in FIT’s MFA program in Illustration each created an original work of art on a three-dimensional dress form provided by Global Visual Group. The students worked under the guidance of Brendan Leach, FIT Instructor; Harry Cunningham, PAVE President and Head of Store Development for Vera Bradley; and Ignaz Gorischek, Vice President of Visual Merchandising for CallisonRTKL, who conceived of the project.
Design Brief and Learning Goals:
The design brief provided to the students during their fall 2016 semester included sketches of the winter 2017, just-released Vera Bradley “Havana Rose” and “Havana Dots” collections, Cuban-inspired, 1950s vintage floral patterns.
The learning goals for the students were to experience a new application for their artistic expression, to learn about retail visual merchandising and to understand how the visual arts can influence retail store displays. Most relevant is that this project was a real-time professional experience and the opportunity for the students to work with an established client that intends to integrate their work into a larger context.
The students varied in their use of acrylic paint, charcoal and applique. There were no restrictions on medium or interpretation of the design brief.
“The individuality in interpretation of the Vera Bradley patterns further enhances the diversity and uniqueness of the retail design industry, and we are energized by the designs that the students created for this new PAVE student project.”
– Harry Cunningham, PAVE President and Head of Store Development for Vera Bradley
“The School of Graduate Studies at FIT is extremely pleased to have work by students in the Illustration MFA program on display in the windows at Macy's flagship store. This is another example of the multi-dimensional and valuable relationship the FIT community has with Macy's — extending from internships and career opportunities for our students and graduates to professional partnerships and support.”
– Mary Davis, Dean, School of Graduate Studies for FIT
“Retailers, especially luxury brands, have begun to acknowledge the importance of art in all aspects of retail design and merchandising. To create an opportunity for talented art students to understand how they can work within the retail design industry opens a door to a new career path and emphasizes the importance of an artistic approach to retail design.”
– Ignaz Gorischek, Vice President of Visual Merchandising for CallisonRTKL
CallisonRTKL, E Design, Global Visual Group and Vera Bradley are sponsors of the inaugural PAVE+FIT = Retail + Art Project.
Participating FIT graduate students in the MFA program:
Edgar Alanis, second year MFA candidate
John Jay Cabuay, second year MFA candidate
Juhye Cho, second year MFA candidate
John P. Desereau, first year MFA candidate
Diana Fogarty, second year MFA candidate
Ruofan Hu, first year MFA candidate
Hilary Hubanks, second year MFA candidate
Martha Kelley, first year MFA candidate
Holly Murphy, first year MFA candidate
Jin Paik, first year MFA candidate
Candace Rogati, first year MFA candidate
Catherine Willett, first year MFA candidate
Sarah Wilmot, second year MFA candidate
Aseman Yari, second year MFA candidate
FIT Instructor:
Brendan Leach, MFA
Acting Chair, MFA in Illustration
Fashion Institute of Technology
About PAVE:
PAVE is the national educational foundation for the global retail design industry. PAVE – Planning and Visual Education Partnership – provides financial aid and scholarships, supports educators and schools, sponsors design competitions and facilitates professional development for emerging talent in retail design. Founded in 1992, PAVE is a non-profit organization. Visit www.paveglobal.org.
About FIT:
The Fashion Institute of Technology, a college of the State University of New York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and technology for more than 70 years. With a curriculum that provides a singular blend of hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are affordable and relevant to today’s rapidly changing industries. Internationally renowned, FIT draws on its New York City location to provide a vibrant, creative community in which to learn. The college offers nearly 50 majors and grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for professional success and leadership in the global marketplace. Visit fitnyc.edu.
Website:
http://paveglobal.org/paveart.aspx
Social Media:
Twitter @PAVEorg
Twitter @FITMFAIllo
Twitter @Macys
Twitter @verabradley
Facebook for Vera Bradley https://www.facebook.com/verabradley/
Media Contact for PAVE:
Saverio Mancina
202-468-7644 mobile
sm@saveriomancina.com
Media Contact for FIT:
Cheri Fein
212.217.4718 office
cheri_fein@fitnyc.edu
Media Contact for Macy’s:
Marissa Nicolaescu
646.429.5232 office
marissa.nicolaescu@macys.com
Media Contact for Vera Bradley:
Jaclyn Smith
646.443.2063 office
jaclyn@lividini.com