design:retail - August 2015 - (Page 8)

editor's note 008 Retail Pride ALISON EMBREY MEDINA EXECUTIVE EDITOR alison.medina@emeraldexpo.com @dretaileditor I N JUNE OF 2013, two of my dearest friends said their vows to a justice of the peace, and were married in a New York courthouse. The impromptu ceremony was casual and completely on a whim-the Georgia natives went to bed one night on their New York vacation, and decided in the morning they would legally honor their 15-plus-year relationship. I received the call announcing the marriage in the parking lot of my office here in Atlanta, walking to my car to run some errands on my lunch hour. After crying my eyes out, I of course asked the next logical question: "Can we throw a big party when you get back?" Slight disappointment followed, as they said they did not plan to celebrate the nuptials back in Georgia until their marriage was legally recognized in our state. Well that could take DECADES, I groaned. After saying congratulations about a dozen more times, we ended the call and I immediately derailed my errands, heading straight to the mall for a wedding gift. No time for a registry? No problem. Gift giving is one of my secret joys. I beelined for Things Remembered, hoping to find something unique and unexpected. I found the most beautiful (and slightly quirky, like their personalities) crystal champagne flutes, one ornamented with a pearl bridal neckline, the other with a dapper black bowtie and tuxedo look. I asked the sales associate if they might have a set with two of the tuxedo glasses instead. She quickly AUGUST 2015 DESIGNRETAILONLINE.COM shook her head no, but then gave me a knowing smirk. Without saying anything further, she grabbed two of the boxed sets beneath the display, opened them both, and rearranged two of the tuxedo glasses into one box. I asked her if she would get in trouble for that. She replied, "Would you like to add an engraving for the happy couple?" I vividly remember walking away from that store, heading down the escalator with my purchase, and being proud of retail that day. Just like when a journalist friend of mine started a digital magazine, called "Equally Wed," and her first advertiser was Target Wedding Registry. I was proud of retail that day, too. And when I was touring San Francisco's Market Street area during the Prop 8 voting period several years ago, and Converse displayed an entire rainbow-themed T-shirt line reading, "WEAR WITH PRIDE." Or when the pristine and prestigious Tiffany & Co. featured a holiday window last year showcased the modern family-two dads and a little boy cozily roasting marshmallows over a wintry fire. I was extremely proud of retail then. The outpouring of support that retail showed on the day of the June 26 SCOTUS verdict was beyond what any of us could have predicted. From Twitter feeds to window displays, retailers showcased their rainbowtinted #lovewins support for marriage equality in such amazing abundance. My cup of pride runneth over for the industry I love. And in case you were wondering, I have put my dear married friends on notice-it's time for that freaking fantastic party. Illustration by SHANNON MAY http://www.DESIGNRETAILONLINE.COM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of design:retail - August 2015

design:retail - August 2015
Contents
Editor’s Note
Show Talk
On Trend
Inspirations
We Love This!
Designer Picks
Clicks & Mortar
Postcard
Have You Heard?
Mingle
The Visual Eye
Searching for Steve Jobs
Joseph Abboud
The New Fast Food
Kit and Ace
Products
Backstory

design:retail - August 2015