The world renowned visual merchandising expert Martin M Pegler (1923-2020) passed away on January 17, 2020, peacefully at his home in New York surrounded by his family.
Martin was a professor at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology for 30 years (in its Display & Exhibit Design Department) and published over 80 books. His textbook entitled ‘Visual Merchandising and Display’ a key text used in universities around the globe.
Martin helped create the IHA’s gia (Global Innovation Awards) programme, which started in 2000. He served as a gia expert juror until retiring in 2016. Thereafter he continued to have strong links with gia as an honorary member of the jury.
The gia Top Window Award was renamed the ‘Martin M Pegler Award for Excellence in Visual Merchandising’ in 2008. In that year, Martin was presented with an honorary gia Award for Lifetime Achievement. Martin’s humorous and inspiring stories (shared when presenting the VM award) have been one of the highlights of the gia Awards ceremonies in Chicago.
Derek Miller, IHA president commented: “Martin was instrumental in the success of the Global Innovation Awards serving as a member of the gia Expert Jury for close to 20 years. Throughout the years, he became a true friend and mentor to so many in the industry. Martin was passionate, kind and sweet – always willing to offer advice and lend his expertise.”
He continued: “Although he will be greatly missed by everyone at IHA and the gia family, his legacy will live on through his namesake award – The Martin M Pegler Award for Visual Merchandising will remain a lasting tribute to his many contributions to our industry.”
His legacy will be recognised at the 2020 gia gala during The Inspired Home Show in Chicago on March 14. Following Martin’s wishes, the IHA will continue to share his VM advice with the home and housewares industry in future articles in its INSPIRED. Magazine. The current issue features Martin’s views on the benefits of minimal signage in retail displays.
Jo Howard, editor of HousewaresNews.net and Progressive Housewares (UK gia sponsor) reflected: “It has been an honour to have met and worked with Martin on gia over many years – and to have learnt so much in the process, as have so many retailers around the world. His legacy is limitless and will carry on through the talents of VM experts for generations to come.”
Impressed by the display acumen of a great many British housewares retailers, Martin used images from some UK gia winners (such as gia Global Honoree winners Bentalls and Selfridges) to demonstrate examples of exemplary VM techniques.
Top: The late Martin Pegler.
