If you read Retail Design Diva often enough (and we know you do!), then you know that I regularly encourage, suggest, state and request that retailers use their influence for good (not just for sales).

I’m proud to report that there is a retailer doing exactly that. And it makes me so happy I can hardly stand myself.

Kenneth Cole unveiled its "Where Do You Stand? Campaign," addressing hot topics, such as marriage equality, gun control, a woman’s right to choose and war. Wow, Kenneth – way to stick to the superficial topics! The retailer hits some of the hardest, most debated topics in our nation in this campaign – and does so in a powerful way through the use of video, imagery and language. Continue reading →

According to my estimations, approximately 30 percent of our work days are now spent on Facebook (otherwise known as FB). Of course, my estimations include a sample set of one, but it seems to me that everywhere I go computers are tuned into the big FB.

What the heck are we doing on there anyway?? We’re checking out past lovers, looking for new lovers, reconnecting with folks we haven’t seen in 20 years, viewing the 500th photo of our best friend’s kiddos and shopping.

Shopping? On Facebook?

Yes, it now has come to this, and we may never leave the FB portal again. Continue reading →

With emerging global competitors and convenient mobile applications increasingly adding competition for retailers, can physical retail stores remain relevant to today’s consumers? Achieving that relevancy is a shared hope for those at Globalshop 2011. More than 500 attendees gathered this morning (March 28) at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas for the annual conference’s sold out opening keynote, presented by Envirosell CEO Paco Underhill, a renowned author, speaker, and shopping anthropologist, who discussed today’s changing battlefield of retail and consumer shopping trends and its subsequent affect on retail stores.

“For those serving the retail and design communities, this has been a very interesting time,” says Underhill, referring that data from a DDI March 2009 report on emerging economic realities stands to be even truer today. Continue reading →

The Malbec was delicious and the service was impeccable. But as I sat waiting for my BFF to arrive (seriously, if Paris Hilton can have one, surely I can too), I realized that my cell phone was near dead.

OMG! How would I check my texts and take calls during my dinner date (therefore annoying and disrespecting everyone around me)? I frantically searched for an outlet. The gal managing the bar only offered up an eye roll when I asked about available outlets behind the bar.

This is what I get for living in Portland, Ore., and not New York. In fact, if I was living in New York right now, this would not have been the sad tragedy that it was. Continue reading →

I’ve dreamt of attending the Sundance Film Festival ever since I learned of Robert Redford’s involvement. I openly drool at the sight of a Kate Spade bag. I tell myself that one day, when my mega-watt book deal comes through (of course), I’ll be able to live the life of the rich and famous. Until then, I spend lunch breaks surfing online, taunting myself with photos of items that “someday” I hope to purchase.

Enter LuckyChic.com.

It looks as if my “someday” is showing up a lot sooner than I anticipated. Tech genius Joel Fan joined forces with two other smarties and created an e-commerce site filled with all things chic – trips to St. Continue reading →