Kurt Geiger, London

We have to admit that Kurt Geiger are getting it all so right, right now.  We haven't always said nice things about this brands presentation, and while of course it was clear that they were getting it all so wrong, they seem to have turned it all around and are now producing some really fun schemes.  Shoes are very difficult to present well, and either they are stacked to the rafters (as in some of the multiple chains) or one individual pair are showcased (as in some of the luxury brands).  Kurt Geiger, possibly falls in between the two and while we have always felt that they were a little bit damaged in the same way as brands such as Pierre Cardin, they really are blossoming again into a tour de force on the high street.  Their fabulous Neon signage and showcase windows within which their incredible product has been suspended are both fun and draw the customers into their spaces.  We're dying to see what they will do next.   

Kurt Geiger, London

I spotted this scheme from Kurt Geiger during London Fashion week and was quite stunned at how well this worked at their Covent Garden store here in London.  These wonderfully chromed shoe stands really do look incredible and the use of mirrors reflecting the graphic image which begins to abstract it and create all sorts of interesting combinations.  However, come on guys, replenish, replenish, replenish.

 

Kurt Geiger, London

While dodging the rain, shading from the Sun and avoiding the tourists, just by chance I came across the new scheme at Kurt Geiger. I had almost given up on this brand based on the past few schemes, which as you know from my previous entries were less than complimentary (I'll give you a minute to read them again if you'd like) Anyway, I really do like this scheme. Its witty, its fun, its intelligent and very well produced. Although I don't own this many shoes, I know a lot of female friends who do and they all do exactly this - adhering a Polaroid to their multiple shoe boxes. You gotta love a Polaroid. Having worked for a "multiple" shoe retailer one Summer holiday I do relate to this scheme. Working with shoes is really hard work although I wont bore you with the details of my experience, suffice to say that I hope that female in Glasgow who I got that pair of shoes for in 1991, for which I received an enormously humiliating telling off because it cost the company £5.00 in postage really appreciated the trouble I went to. Retailers and the way they treat their employees for helping customers hey...! In the meantime the narrative here is fun, the execution well produced and I really do hope this brand continue with this quality. I'll keep looking anyway and let you know what they are up to.

Kurt Geiger, London

While my eyes didn't pop out of my head when seeing the new installation at Kurt Geiger both along Regent st. and South Molten street I did gasp a little at the scary scene. I must admit, for a company that has produced some superb schemes recently, I did find this one rather odd. Odd, in the sense that these mannequins are clearly 'sitters' and not meant to be placed in this position. With their necks straining, wigs on back to front and the awkward position that they lay in, only makes for amusement and I did find myself smiling - and I wont even mention the reflected view one gets. I find it quite difficult to believe that such a high profile company in such high profile places have allowed this happen? To me this looks like some of those dreadful stores at the wrong end of Oxford st. crammed to the rafters with cheap merchandise. Perhaps there is some irony that I am just not seeing (although I doubt it) While this is not an expensive scheme, if I were reading what I am writing I would be worried and get myself straight down to the stores to get this scheme out. I will swing by on the weekend and see if this company does care.

Kurt Geiger, London

Shoes can be a very tricky product to handle well and I suppose that's why so many shoe stores follow the same format of, well, shoes in a window. It was such a pleasure, therefore to see this new concept from Kurt Geiger along Regent street, here in London this week, while I flaneured the streets. OK, well they have used the usual stacked crates in a pyramidal format (another one of the 10 Commandments broken for 2010) but I feel what redeems this scheme is the use of this beautiful figure. I am not sure who has produced this Mannequin, but of course the high gloss white we have seen in the most de rigeur stores for about 8 months now, but she is fairly abstract and it is quite unusually brave for a retailer to put what is essentially a nude figure in their windows. OK well, you and I know its just a piece of fibreglass but usually the fight with the marketeers of these kind of companies sadly have such a say in what happens visually and I am pleased that this silent seller is doing what it is doing - selling shoes. Men's shoes of course are another animal altogether and thankfully Geiger has given us these beautiful range of jewel tones, so throw out the Black and Brown shoes guys and get yourself a new pair of Geiger's.

Kurt Geiger, London

I think this is the first Kurt Geiger stand alone store that I have ever seen. I am familiar with the brand as concessions within department stores but I dont recall seeing any 'solus' sites anywhere on my travels. Anyway, although I have seen the use of old suitcases in many displays before, I felt that this worked actually very well. Each one has been painted in such wonderfully vibrant Summer colours and the product has been strategically placed creating an old-school-type glamour. I am not sure if this is the first display for this brand, but from across Regent Street in London while flaneur-ing the city it drew me in and I wanted to share it with you. I must admit, I am looking forward to seeing what they do next..!