Gene Moore (window dresser)
Encyclopedia
Gene Moore was a leading window dresser
of the 20th century. Born in Birmingham, Alabama
, he moved to New York City
in the 1930s. He worked for Bonwit Teller
for sixteen years, then in 1955 joined Tiffany's
on Fifth Avenue. He remained with the store for the remainder of his career. He retired at 84, as vice-president for window-display.
Working at Tiffany's, Moore designed approximately 5,000 windows, many of which featured his collection of stuffed hummingbird
s. He was also noted for using concepts or actual works of modern art
in his windows, including those of Jasper Johns
, Alexander Ney
and Andy Warhol
. Some of his designs were photograph
ed by Edgar de Evia
. He lived in an apartment decorated by Robert Denning
in the twin towers of 860 United Nations Plaza until his death.
Moore used Ney's works in his windows more than any other contemporary artist, commenting to Liz Smith
in 1990, "He's quite simply the most talented artist whose work I've ever put in my windows."
During his life Moore was honoured several times for his work, receiving tributes from the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Inspirational Academy of Zurich, amongst others. Since 1990 Lighting Services Inc. has made an annual presentation of the Gene Moore Lighting Awards to honor his memory.
He wrote a book about his life and window-dressing experiences, My Time at Tiffany's, with Jay Hyams; it was published in 1990. In addition to his work at Tiffany's, Moore designed sets and costumes for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Window dresser
Window dressers arrange displays of goods in shop windows or within a shop itself. They may work for design companies contracted to work for clients or for department stores, independent retailers, airport or hotel shops....
of the 20th century. Born in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in the 1930s. He worked for Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller
Bonwit Teller was a department store in New York City founded by Paul Bonwit in 1895 at Sixth Avenue and 18th Street. In 1897 Edmund D. Teller was admitted to the partnership and the store moved to 23rd Street, East of Sixth Avenue...
for sixteen years, then in 1955 joined Tiffany's
Tiffany & Co.
Tiffany & Co. is an American jewelry and silverware company. As part of its branding, the company is strongly associated with its Tiffany Blue , which is a registered trademark.- History :...
on Fifth Avenue. He remained with the store for the remainder of his career. He retired at 84, as vice-president for window-display.
Working at Tiffany's, Moore designed approximately 5,000 windows, many of which featured his collection of stuffed hummingbird
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
s. He was also noted for using concepts or actual works of modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
in his windows, including those of Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns
Jasper Johns, Jr. is an American contemporary artist who works primarily in painting and printmaking.-Life:Born in Augusta, Georgia, Jasper Johns spent his early life in Allendale, South Carolina with his paternal grandparents after his parents' marriage failed...
, Alexander Ney
Alexander Ney
Alexander Ney is an American sculptor and painter. He immigrated to the United States in 1974 and has since lived and worked in New York...
and Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andrew Warhola , known as Andy Warhol, was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art...
. Some of his designs were photograph
Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of...
ed by Edgar de Evia
Edgar de Evia
Edgar Domingo Evia y Joutard, known professionally as Edgar de Evia , was a Mexican-born American photographer....
. He lived in an apartment decorated by Robert Denning
Robert Denning
Robert Denning was an American interior designer whose lush interpretations of French Victorian decor became an emblem of corporate raider tastes in the 1980s.-Early life:...
in the twin towers of 860 United Nations Plaza until his death.
Moore used Ney's works in his windows more than any other contemporary artist, commenting to Liz Smith
Liz Smith (journalist)
Mary Elizabeth "Liz" Smith is an American gossip columnist. She is known as The Grand Dame of Dish.- Early life and career :...
in 1990, "He's quite simply the most talented artist whose work I've ever put in my windows."
During his life Moore was honoured several times for his work, receiving tributes from the Illuminating Engineering Society and the Inspirational Academy of Zurich, amongst others. Since 1990 Lighting Services Inc. has made an annual presentation of the Gene Moore Lighting Awards to honor his memory.
He wrote a book about his life and window-dressing experiences, My Time at Tiffany's, with Jay Hyams; it was published in 1990. In addition to his work at Tiffany's, Moore designed sets and costumes for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.
Publications
- Windows at Tiffany's: The Art of Gene Moore. Goldman, Judith, with commentary by Gene Moore. NY: Abrams, 1980.
- My Time at Tiffany's. Gene Moore with Jay Hyams.