The Retail Design Institute’s 44th International Store Design Awards Gala took place the evening of Monday, January 12th at the Times Center Stage in New York City. The awards celebrate exceptional retail experiences across more than 20 categories from full-line department stores to restaurants and pop-up shops. Over 200 of the retail design industry’s top design talent, retailers, editors and vendors joined the Retail Design Institute as they recognized the top store designs from 2014.

The event was attended by Barbara, Kevin, Min, and Andrew from MNA. We were also very happy to have Larry Martin and Matt Bindner from Ralph Lauren Store Design as our guests. There were two Ralph Lauren projects that MNA collaborated on with Ralph Lauren Store Design that were nominated for awards in two separate categories.

Ralph Lauren Bangkok was awarded the Merit Award for Soft Line Specialty Store. This project was a departure for Ralph Lauren with its undulating wood facade.

Ralph Lauren Hong Kong Lee Gardens was awarded the First Place Award for Soft Line Specialty Store. See Volumes 008 and 010 for Kevin and Michael’s previous Journal entries on the complexities of the Lee Garden site, as well as the exacting process of designing the facade. It was gratifying to see the project get the attention it deserves. After the awards, we treated ourselves to drinks at the new Ralph Lauren Polo Bar. You can see Larry’s reflection as photographer in the mirror!