With 44 showrooms, the annual A.R.E. Retail Design Collective attracted suppliers, designers and retailers to New York this past December.
Manufacturers and suppliers took to themed showrooms to highlight new products while developments in visual merchandising were seen throughout, from fixtures to props and decs.
Textured surfaces were notable in mannequins, like DK Display’s Shadow Collection, Silvestri’s Fur Blur, Patina-V’s Theme and Mondo Mannequins’ Verdigris and Rust finishes. Others featured simple forms with many design options, like Goldsmith’s Chelsea Men, Alu’s Ophelia and Greneker’s Opal collections. Global Visual Group’s Tablet Mannequins took a high-tech approach while Bernstein’s forms made from ABS unbreakable plastic ensured durability.
New fixtures showcased modularity like B&N’s System 1224, H+B’s Light Stik collection, Elevations Inc.’s Groove and Visplay’s Invisible 6 P/L.
Metal is still in style, as showcased in Holiday Foliage’s Williamsburg Collection, Christine Taylor Collection’s Mirrored Risers and Leo Prager’s Pocket Squares Spinner.
Several companies satisfied the need for custom, like Visual Citi’s new Valentine’s Day line and JPMA Global Inc.’s Embossed Wood Finish; while Holiday Image exhibited its custom molding and printing capabilities.
Other products of note included Architectural Systems Inc.’s Techno Recycled Glass Surfaces and Prism Skylab’s demonstration of its business-intelligence software.
For an evening of cocktails, dinner and awards, the annual PAVE Gala welcomed 790 retailers, designers and suppliers to Cipriani Wall Street. This year’s PAVE Rising Star Award was presented to Andrea Buccasso of Fitch (Columbus, Ohio).
VMSD also presented its Excellence in Visual Merchandising and Design Award, honoring New York retail design, to Hugo Boss, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tommy Bahama.