Birch, Colin (1951-1988)
Dates
- Existence: 1951 - 1988
Biography
Born in Birmingham, England, Colin Birch graduated from the Moseley Art Institute before moving to the US in 1970. He worked on display for the May Company in Cleveland Ohio, then was display manager at Saks Fifth Avenue Old Orchard store in Chicago, then became interior display director at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC. From 1975 to 1977 he was corporate director of visual presentation at Bonwit Teller, where he made waves by creating "minimalist" window displays, removing separating dividers between windows stripping any decorative architectural elements and turning the windows into large, spare, white-vinyl-lined spaces where mannequins and a few select props would be the star. He also dabbled in interior design during this period, designing the penthouse apartment for Bonwit's board chairman John Schumacher. By 1978, he was heading his own visual display company, Colin Birch Associates, where he designed other interiors, events, and displays for clients such as Estee Lauder, Bonwit Teller's (and then Bloomingdale's) president Cal Ruttenstein, and a 25th anniversary celebration of the Missoni brand in Milan. He joined Bloomingdale's as vice president of visual presentation in 1981. Birch passed away at the age of 38 on the island of St. Martin.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Colin Birch papers
This collection holds papers including congratulatory cards and letters to him from colleagues, vendors and brands; magazine tear sheets used for research/inspiration; articles about Birch; photographs of his display work as well as personal travel and party snapshots; original design sketches and notes (primarily for Christmas windows); fabric and material samples; and text of remarks prepared by Birch for opening of "America the Beautiful" promotion.