In observance of the 26th annual Day With(out) Art/World AIDS Day today, CFDA Member brand l.a.Eyeworks is presenting shoppers at its Melrose Avenue and Beverly Boulevard boutiques with a special musical treat.
The brand, designed by Barbara McReynolds and Gai Gherardi, asked its friends in various disciplines – arts, fashion, entertainment – to select a song to be played in the stores throughout the day, from disco to classical, folk, and indie tracks. There were almost 70 submissions, including one from CFDA President and CEO Steven Kolb, who selected Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.” Kolb called the tune “a classic. Sam Cooke’s beautiful song is an empowering call-to-action for any community.”
Others who submitted songs for the playlist included Katie Lowes of ABC’s “Scandal” (“Stormy Weather” by Etta James), transgender performer Mx Justin Vivian Bond (“Boom Boom in the Zoom Zoom Room” by Blondie), and writer and A + R cofounder Rose Apodaca (“Can You Heal Us (Holy Man)” by Paul Weller).
“The playlist serves as a focal point to activate a community, however temporary, of concerned and caring individuals who may have never galvanized otherwise,” said Brent Zerger, Director of Communications.
Those who don’t have their Shazam downloaded need not fret. A printed playlist of all the hits will be handed to customers on location.
L.a.Eyeworks will also provide visitors complimentary red ribbons to wear as part of The Ribbon Project, and both stores will feature “Radiant Presence,” a new looping digital slideshow of text and images from the Visual AIDS Artist+ Registry, Passers-by can light a candle in front of each store at a “votive station” to remember those who have passed from the disease and express their hope in a future free of AIDS.
