Since 1945, Graphis magazine has covered the evolution of the art, advertising, and design world, from Picasso to Swiss typography. I am the lucky owner of some vintage issues from the mid-50s that never became outdated.
The 1950s marked a dramatic shift in the way people shopped and the ways in which retail businesses presented themselves. Have a look at these shop windows. You could easily expect to see them in your favorite high-fashion or department store window today. Enjoy these amazing samples of branding by creativity that are still good for inspiration nowadays, when retail is reinventing itself by combining in-store and digital experiences.
Design by Ettore Sottsass and Guido Strazza for the Milan Triennale.
Design Ernst Berger for the Loeb Department Store, Berne.
Design Gianferrani/Bertoux. Glass Centre in Paris.
Design by Hans Pfister for carpet store Schuster & co. Zurich.
Design by Laurence B. Bartscher
Design by John Bowman Parker for The Tailored Woman Inc. Photo Virginia Roehl.
Design by Raoul Soldi. Harrod’s window competition, Buenos Aires, 1959.
Top picture. Design Philip Clavadetscher for Bullock’s Westwood, Los Angeles.