Issue no. 269

Design Desert?

For months now we have been swamped with so much bad economic news that I sometimes think our guild (journalists) works abominably. It is the same people who, last year, wouldn't hear of a very difficult situation. Today, the apocalypse is just around the corner and anyone with something positive to say is considered a naïve optimist. Life is full of ups and downs, not controlled by some invisible hand. What we have and are is largely of our own making. Only our influence on global circumstances is limited.

In our search for Spring retail presentations, we were particularly interested to see if budget cutbacks were so severe that product displays were boring or vacuous or perhaps stores offered only cheaper goods. In New York, consumption is obviously reined in and even bargains don't move much. Food and dwelling are more important factors. Moreover, Americans have recently discovered a new modesty! Nothing, however, has changed the creative niveau of the visual merchandisers. The city sparkles with colors and vivacious presentations.

The famous brand stores in Milan are empty, the displays boring. During our last visit, the city was feverishly awaiting the Salone del mobile. Thousands of visitors from the entire world descend on Milan. The hotels are fully booked once more and the restaurants again overcrowded. Only pure luxury suffers. For one can also eat at smaller, less well know trattorias. And well at that. In Zürich, clearance sales started somewhat early. Merchandise displays, however, remain harmonious and chic. Our motto should be: keep your eyes and ears open and don't lose sight of the goal. Pessimism has never resolved a crisis.