A Love Letter To Barneys NY Could Earn You $5,000

Luxury retailer Barneys New York announced the opening of their Madison Avenue flagship store’s revamped, fifth floor, designer shoe heaven— a sanctuary where men and women no longer have to part ways when shopping for fanciful footwear. But Barneys' equal-shopportunity experience promotes a larger agenda than simply allowing us to easily glide between those Ferragamo oxfords on the men’s side and the strappy Zanotti heels on the lady’s. In celebration of the new floor’s “gender-fication,” Barneys has partnered with the HRC (or Human Rights Campaign, which is working towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender equal rights) to create, Perfect Pairs: The Love Letters, a Facebook contest that supports the organization’s continuing efforts toward marriage equality.

Here’s the deal: First, "Like" BarneysNY on Facebook to access the contest's entry page (alternately, you can sign up for Barneys NY emails). Then, share a love story about shoes, a special someone, or a combination of the two (great romance usually starts with a great outfit, no?). Submit your tale on their Facebook page and cross your fingers for winner status. Not only could you be the ecstatic recipient of a $5,000 Barneys New York gift card, but your story will also be featured on Barneys main site and FB page. Need another reason? For each love letter submitted between July 16 and August 3, Barneys will donate $1 to the HRC. And if you fancy yourself more of a doer than a writer, 10% of sales from any shoe you purchase from the new floor between July 16 and 22, will also go to the HRC's efforts in educating others about the LGBT community.

We like to think that shopping precedes inspiration, so if you need an experience to jog your creativity, head over to the new floor for the full-sensory experience. The airy, open layout spills with natural light, and glass walls and shelves place all those covetous finds in plain view. Plus, the fact that the two sides are bridged by a lane of gorgeous, designer handbags, and a backlit wall of sunnies for days, is sure to bring out the author in you. Inspired, yet?