The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-06
The Window Dressers.

There was In session for three days this
week in Chicago the annual convention OF
the Window Trimmers Of the United States.
These window trimmers, or dressers," as
they are more frequently called, came from
all parts OF the country to the number OF
two hundred or more, and met for confer
encc in regard to the further extension and
benefit Of what is practically new BUSH
ness in the United States.
Formerly the arrangement of the win
dows of shop, ~ of the shelves, counters,
and interior divisions, was a matter of no
great concern. Goods intended to be sold
were placed where they were most accessi-
bic for the salesman and the customer, and
1t was usual to display in the windows
without much regard for artistic symmetry
OF arrangement, such fabrics rs were either
very new in design, very cheap, very much
in demand by TIA people. very rare, or Of
which the establishment had on hand q
very large or varied supply.
BY degrees, however, as the standard OF
public taste in articles OF apparel or fur
nishing has improved in n steadily cheap
ening and broadening market, and as the
ingenuity Of American manufacturers has
sional window dressers. exclusively emf
ploy"d on account of their proficiency in
trimming shop windows have found
place, and there is now some competition
for their services.
An expert window dresser must have a
keen eye for artistic effect, for the contrast
ing and blending OF colors, for tho effects
Of light and shade on furniture and fabrics,
and for the caprices OF taste in fashions or
OF fashions in taste.
One of the delegates to this weeks con-
vontion in Chicago gave this list of the quail
iflrations of a successful window dresser:
He must he carpenter. an npholsterer an artist,
and an electrician. OF the building Of frames to
hang goods on he must have practical knowledge.
He must know what r. drspe them when built
and how to goods that passers by will he
attracted. He must know how to arrange the lights
for night displays and window. as dressed. must
be appropriate to the season Of the year and the
purses Of the customers. regular transient of the
establishment"
Some large dry goods stores in New York
the city from which window drcssers
elsewhere get their ideas of seasonable
and symmetrical arrangement maintain
these might displays especially during
the winter and spring months and in
all holiday times and they have proved to
be an important adjunct to day business.
To the opportunities for effective window
dressing is due in part the demand for
stores and shops on the leading thorough
fares, and the corresponding decadence in
profits from minor small stores in untrav-
elled side streets.
Undoubtedly the general and inexpensive
utilization OF electricity for purposes Of
illumination, as substitute for heat
giving gas or oil, has had considerable to
do with the enlarged opportunities OF
the window dressers. Tho consolidation
OF various lines of business, formerly
separated in large American dry goods
stores, notably the sale Of dresses and
millinery, has had much to do with the
change in the methods of conducting
business and the agencies whereby the
patronage Of the public is successfully in
vited. The fact is that there are more shop
pers than there used to be, and the op-
portunities Of dealers are greater because
there are more and better customers And
IA the general cost OF dry goods has
been declining in consequence very largely
Of the substitution Of Amcrican-made for
imported articles, the volume of yearly
purchases has greatly increased.
Anational convention of window dressers
is a natural, but unusual. evidence Of the
improvement Of retail business in this
country, In the line Of dry goods, following
consolidation for the benefit of the CON
sumner. These window trimmers, as they
call themselves, are useful servants Of the
dry goods trade, and although their func.
tions are commercial entirely, they add by
their skill to the attractvcness OF our
great American thoroughfares.