25th Anniversary Countdown to Christmas: Day 6

Throughout December, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Martha Stewart Living magazine, I will examine 25 of the most memorable and influential people, moments and milestones at Martha Stewart's company over the last quarter century: the Martha Moments that fans are especially grateful for. I hope you enjoy these reflections on twenty-five years of excellence!

DECEMBER 6: THE MARTHA STEWART COLLECTION AT MACY'S

On September 10th, 2007, Macy's department stores launched their new line of Martha Stewart housewares, called The Martha Stewart Collection. With the closure of the Martha by Mail catalog and the Martha Stewart Everyday collection at Kmart on the wane, Martha had found the ultimate partner and distributor in Macy's department stores to further expand her merchandising brand.

The new line of merchandise was conceived by Martha's team of designers, led by then merchandising director Robin Marino (Kevin Sharkey and Patsy Pollock are the current merchandising directors) and featured products for all areas of the home: bath and bedding linens, kitchenware, bakeware, serveware, dinnerware and various holiday collections. It was designed to meet the needs of the Martha by Mail consumer, who wanted quality, boutique items as well as attract the Kmart shopper who wanted good design for low cost. The price points for the new products were lower than Martha by Mail items but were more costly than items found at Kmart - but all were beautiful!

Martha re-introduced a line of classic whiteware through the Martha Stewart Collection.

Tim Adams, the chairman and CEO of Macy's Home Store had this to say at the launch: "The new Martha Stewart Collection takes Macy's home assortment to a new level of interest and relevance for our customer - supported by an editorial voice that is one of the world's most-recognized authorities on home decorating, cooking and entertaining. In the spirit of Martha's own love of collecting, the new product at Macy's is an authentic expression of the Martha Stewart perspective, articulated throughout the collection with personal inspirations like design references from her antique linen collection to new interpretations of faux bois. The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's is a true reflection of her magazines and the product in the original Martha by Mail Catalog coming to life in our stores." 

Macy's excitement was mirrored by fans who were thrilled to have access to an entirely new line of Martha Stewart products.

Martha was also eager to share her line of goods: "The Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's is inspired by treasures in my personal collections from around the world and by beautiful, useful items that I love in my own home. I am very excited to launch the Martha Stewart Collection..."

Trousseau bedding was a beautiful addition to the collection.

While there may have been a hiccup or two along the way (such as a legal feud between MSLO, Macy's and JC Penney) the collection remains Martha's top-selling merchandising brand, sold at Macy's stores around the United States. Over the last 25 years of business, the Martha Stewart Collection is one development that fans are especially grateful for! Below are more highlights from the collection.

To celebrate the launch of the new line, Macy's gave Martha all of the window space on the ground level of its flagship store in Manhattan. The awnings were emblazoned with the new Martha Stewart Collection logo.

This is a rare Martha Stewart Collection catalog with an A - Z look at some of the first products that were launched. I am very lucky to have a copy!

The in-store and window displays have all the Martha Stewart hallmarks: light blues and soothing greens with a focus on organization and homeyness.

Martha has small boutiques within the various home departments throughout the Macy's stores. This is Martha's section in the kitchen department.

The kitchen products Martha designed for the collection are useful, practical and beautiful.

The bedding collections are among the most popular.

In 2008, Martha renewed a licensing agreement with Wedgwood to design several new china patterns and flatware designs for the Martha Stewart Collection. Each of the seven china patterns was available in a five-piece place setting. There were six flatware designs. Click here to read more about the Martha Stewart Collection Wedgwood line. Also in 2008, Martha worked with Waterford Crystal on a line of stemware for the collection. Click here to read more about it.

As with her line at Kmart, packaging was an instrumental part of the design process. Gael Towey, the chief creative officer at Martha Stewart Living at the time, and her husband Stephen Doyle, of Doyle Partners design firm, collaborated on the packaging designs. I love these X-ray-motif boxes!

Cake stands are among the most popular items for fans of the Martha Stewart Collection. I love these two!

Martha frequently stars in the print ads for the collection and has occasionally made television commercials for Macy's. Click here to see the current items in the Martha Stewart Collection.