I started out in Window Display as a trainee a CNA back in 1976 after various attempts at electronics, computer programming, banking and mining (yes, mining).The day I started the senior dresser left and I was left to 'train' myself - this consisted of being given a vast shopping centre window and told to put in Back -to -School. CNA had a display function back then and my dream (at that stage) was to work at the Commissioner street branch- they had a studio!!
I moved on from there to John Orr's, one of the few top retail departmental stores that could be found in the Johannesburg CBD back then. Here I served a proper apprenticeship, working through the studio, interior displays and at last, windows. Of course here I set my sights on the then Display head, Mr Basil Pretorius' position.
Edcon (then, Edgars really) tempted me to join them and with them I progressed, moving across to their Jet chain and eventually becoming display manager at their flagship Eloff Street branch - located on the self same site of the John Orrs I had apprenticed at years before! I achieved my goal, sort of - it was a hollow victory...
After a few years I crossed the road (literally) to become display manager at OK Bazaars Eloff Street, at that time the only departmental store left in the CBD. 6 trading floors and 37 windows encompassing a city block, a display studio that occupied an entire floor! Here I worked with and learned from some of the masters of retail display. Unfortunately towards the end of the Nineties, the OK went the way of the rest and I was retrenched, along with most everyone else in the company.
I've since freelanced in display and various other creative pursuits and have spent many years servicing a tourist retail group with their visual requirements.
The most jarring thing I experienced lately was to go looking for shirt stands for a project and to be told that such are not available any more - because - well, we don't have window-dressers any more...
