Historically, the display windows reflect the evolving interests of Canadians and the changing strategies of the T. Eaton Company Ltd. But they also highlight the talent and vision of several generations of Canadian designers.
While small retailers often left responsibility for window displays to sales clerks with spare time, the big department stores – Eaton's, Simpsons, the Hudson Bay Company – enlisted professionals to ensure that their stores' outward appearance lived up to the quality of goods they promised inside. |
“… two members of Eaton's merchandising department, on a periodic visit to New York, walked into a swank Fifth Avenue shop and peered into window displays from inside. When the manager engaged them in conversation, they smilingly identified themselves as ‘out-of-town window dressers in search of ideas.' ‘The manager became genial and tried to learn where they were employed. But all the Eaton men would say was: ‘We've come a long way.'“ ‘Well, then,' replied the manager confidentially, ‘you might as well travel a few hundred miles more to see the best there is in window displays – Eaton's in Toronto.'” Coronet magazine, September 1949, F229-162-0-657 |
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With the skilful use of props, mannequins, lighting, and whimsical arrangements of colour and texture, the Eaton's designers brought their subjects to life, giving a simple dress or even a bolt of cloth an appeal that was simply not possible on the store display rack.
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