Location: Manchester, TN

GUAM, Feb 6, 1998/ FW/ --- Manchester is a city, it is 'not-on-the-map' as a shopping mecca the way New York, Dallas and San Francisco are. In fact, the budget for store windows and displays are almost non-existent compared to the budgets of Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman.

Brad Lucius is a freelance visual merchandiser who lives in Manchester, TN. Using his imagination and ingenuity, Brad Lucius was able to create attractive store windows within a limited budget and the constraints of what is available.

Roses are red, violets are blue, pink is sweet and so are you -- goes an old rhyme. But who says only thing you can send for Valentine's Day are roses? What about cookies? Yes, roses and cookies for that special loved on this special day. Lots and lots of them. Here, boxes and boxes of cookies, big and small, shaped like hearts. Fun! Fun! Fun!

A rotating window! The ultimate in 3D, and one of the hardest to work with. Rotating windows are few and far between. Seldom does a Visual Merchandiser gets a chance to work with one. And when you do work in one, it is challenging and satisfying when you are finally done. Windows are three-dimensional because of what it is. But, because it is usally presented as static, there is always a background and a foreground. But, not in a rotating window. There is no background nor foreground in the real sense of the word, because viewers can see all around and a small mistake that are usually hidden in the background of a static window is a big eyesore in a rotating one. Rotating windows has to be impecabble all around and must tell a story from a any angle you view it. And this Easter window is what it is all about.

Who said that football is only for sports enthusiasts? Brad Lucius proved that he can use that theme in a non-sporting goods store and get away with it. Another window for the Cookie Jar made during the start of the football season. A realistic mannequin sitting in a living room with cookies beside her, ready to watch her favorite football team for the kick-off. Football shaped cookies are displayed (beside mannequin) which added to the atmosphere. A fun window! If you're going to work under the hot spotlights, why not have fun? Brad Lucius certainly did on this one.

Summer is fast approaching. Yes, I know, it is not officially springtime yet, but this is the time to plan for your summer windows. A windowful of soda-pop as props, with fake foam to make it look as if they are real. Atmosphere! Feeling of summer! Yes, the clothes are being shown and an important part of the display. But, you don't have to look dull. You can be creative. So, visit your favorite soda fountain, or your favorite hardware store, or your favorite hotel and restaurant supplier. They have things that are common and widely used which can be used as a great prop for your fashion windows.

A window done for the Original Cookie Company for the summer. The boxes for the cookies served as part of the props representing the bench in a steam bath, paper cups and cellophane gave the impression of the imaginary steam, and of course, the coup-de-grace are the two realistic mannequins dressed in swim suits, one of them holding a towel, the other laying on her side, enjoying the steam bath. With tight budget nowadays, imagination and improvisation are the key in creating great window displays.

A great window and a great example of the non-traditional use of mannequins in promoting a merchandise. This window was designed for a store that sells cookies where traditionally, mannequins are not used. A realistic mannequin opening those cookie boxes all around her, her feet bare while her shoes are on the floor, and raindrops falling all around her while she keeps dry by being under an umbrella creates the ambiance of--This is a good day to eat cookies and just relax-- That is the message of the window. Romance was created by the use of the mannequin, which would have been an otherwise straightforward and dry presentation if only cookies were displayed. The designer wanted an ambiance that would make people come in and purchase those cookies, and he did it successfully with this presentation. Great use of props and a good window overall.

A window done for the Original Cookie Company for the summer. The boxes for the cookies served as part of the props representing the bench in a steam bath, paper cups and cellophane gave the impression of the imaginary steam, and of course, the coup-de-grace are the two realistic mannequins dressed in swim suits, one of them holding a towel, the other laying on her side, enjoying the steam bath. With tight budget nowadays, imagination and improvisation are the key in creating great window displays.

A window for the Original Cookie Co., but instead of just showing cookies, a mannequin was used plus a little plush toy (Ziggy if you want me to be exact). Cute! Be Irish for a Day even in your window. Don't be scared to use your imagination. Be untraditional in celebrating a traditional holiday.

Non-traditional uses of mannequins seem to be the trend these days. And, this trend is a definite plus to window displays. Cookies, that is what this window is all about. But, instead of the straightforward presentation of just showing all cookies, Brad Lucius added excitement and personality by using two realistic mannequins in the window.

Valentine's Day

Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny

Football Season

Soda Pop

Sauna Bath

St. Patrick's Day