Harrods, remains closed until 2013

Images Copyright La Nacion

OK, don't panic, I'm not referring to the monolithic shopping destination based in Knightsbridge. Ironically, I have always questioned the Knightsbridge, London, world famous department stores strap line, "There is only one Harrods". The reason for this is that I do remember reading about this store in Argentina a long time ago in one of the Sunday newspaper supplements (which I always regretted not saving but must be archived somewhere) although this store has been closed for a long time. Anyway, in a recent article sent to me by one of my contacts in Buenos Aires (Argentina) it transpires that this old store which if I remember correctly was actually a branch of the original here in London - although dont quote me, I may be wrong and I need to do more research - during a period of great wealth in South America is actually due to re-open in 2013. I also seem to remember reading that anyone wealthy at the time when this store was open, sent their laundry to Paris because it came back smelling so wonderfully 'fresh' (although I may have made that up). However, the site remains a sad reminder of faded glory, at least for now. Although, how exciting is this? Unfortunately my Spanish is very rusty so I will have to dust down my dictionary to translate the newspaper article and accompanying video sent to me to find out more information for you. In the meantime, here are just a taster of the visuals of the existing building from a whole selection sent to me. I am really looking forward to seeing this open again, and really hope they maintain the character of the existing structure itself which after all would be one of the main reasons to see this store. This store must be on your list of places to visit and if you get there before me, be sure to send me some images. In the meantime will the new marketing strapline be "There are only two Harrods"?

Images Copyright La Nacion

Liberty, London

I had been wondering if anyone out there in retail world would link in their window schemes with the Surreal House Exhibition currently at the Barbican here in London. I visited the exhibition myself several weeks ago and was rather underwhelmed I must say, particularly as the Barbican usually present some incredible exhibitions and I did leave it feeling rather uninspired and feeling 'well so what', also particularly as the Maison Martin Margiela exhibition at Somerset House was so incredibly exciting. Different kinds of exhibitions, I know, but this is how I felt. Anyway, what I would recommend is visiting Liberty here in London to have a look at their installation which is fun beyond belief with product tied in to their own version of Surrealism. OK, it doesn't quite have the depth of the original, but it doesn't matter. Of course Salvador Dali designed windows in New York which is another interesting historical link (I seem to remember in 1939 for Bonwit Teller the long gone department store). What has been created here is, of course, to the usual exceptional standards this team at this brand are known for.

Harrods, London

Image courtesy of Justso

Its quite odd to view Harrods with their blinds down from the outside looking in while the team work through the night to bring us their latest scheme. Its also incredibly exciting and I am dying to see what the final scheme will look like. Fortunately we have a tiny preview to whet our appetites from the latest scheme being launched. "In collaboration with UK based visual communications agency ‘JUSTSO’ (London), has turned the world famous Knightsbridge windows into a visual tour de force of the globe’s most stunning architecture fused with the A/W 2010 collection from iconic brands such as Valentino, Armani, Fendi, Givenchy, Bulgari and D&G". Knowing how hard these guys work I imagine the scheme will be completed very soon, however in the meantime here's a little snapshot for you all to enjoy. Also check out http://www.justso.eu/ they certainly are one of those must have contacts for your address book.

Image courtesy of Justso.

Nicole Farhi, London

If I didn't live in a house that is 110 years old (at least) then I would certainly live in a loft apartment, particularly one of those old factory conversions (as long as I had a wonderful terrace with incredible views of course). Nicole Farhi, along Bond St. here in London have managed to capture my desire within their scheme in a wonderfully simple statement that captures that feeling of an artists studio in some very cool part of town. I love the paint brush stokes in vinyl on the fenestration and the series of artists canvasses strategically placed within the scheme. The figures as always are impeccably dressed in a way that only this team seem to know how. I have been following this brand for quite some time and this year they certainly are leading the way while the multiple brands seem to be struggling their way through the seasonal calender. Anyway, thanks to the ever talented team here we are continually being entertained, provoked and enticed into their stores (I was even drawn in myself to have a look around)

Daks, London

Daks, London, Rescued.

Daks, London

Who is shopping at Daks these days? If I'm honest with you, I have absolutely no idea. I have seen some incredible schemes from this brand over the years and at this store in particular. They have gone through some interesting concepts and they are obviously a wealthy brand if they can maintain a presence along Bond St. here in London but who on earth is shopping here right now? Clearly the product is incredible and beautifully produced, however, this really must be one of the dullest presentations I have seen of 2010. Big words, I know, I appreciate that these things are easy to say when one doesn't have to come up with a solution (however, I am available to work with you to come up with a solution) although if we say nothing then these 'things' are accepted as 'OK' and yet are they? From a potential customer point of view, this is a great space to shop in and a great opportunity to make this brand so wonderful, but I do feel looking at this brand that it lacks anything that would entice me in. Come on Daks, we know you can do it, so please lets see something a little more desirable than a dull large format graphic from a studio somewhere anonymous behind the product and can we see it change a little more often too?

Prada, London

If there is a brand out there who are doing some great (albeit simple) presentations then is must be Prada. The brand have used these very simple elongated rectangular forms (a bit like a Manhattan skyline) in a repetition format with their signature figures (at least for this store). I seem to remember them having used these before although in a different colour way, (although a bit of recycling never hurt anyone of course). Unfortunately my camera hasn't picked up the richness of these tones which from across the street are absolutely delicious. Anyway, do go and check them out and maybe let me know whats happening with this brand visually near you?

Hermes, London

OK, I want to love it, but, its just alright. I was really looking forward to the new scheme from Hermes and, well, I do feel a little disappointed with this one. The creative's have previously produced some very interesting schemes (although they are not changed that often) and with this one I do feel that I have seen it all before. Actually I have seen this all before. Here we have in places a large format newspaper print which forms the background, the product is placed in front of this carried by their usual headless figures. The product of course is beautiful and very desirable. The context, well, I am trying to enjoy the spectacle but to be honest, if, for example you have a look at the installation around Victoria station here in London that has been in place for as long as I can remember, the below image is almost an exact replica. I don't really understand why the Fashion being presented which is clearly beautifully designed by someone who has an awareness of what is going on in the world, it has been promoted by someone or group who knows what is going on in the world and yet presented by someone or group who clearly have no idea what is going on within visual presentation. Yes, it is beautifully produced but is no one within this brand ever looking beyond this brand? If I don't tell it like it is who will?

Levi's London

Levi's along Regent St. here in London have gone from an OK brand which I quite liked now and again to one of the hottest multiples in the city which I love to view. This store in particular with its exhibition / event space, before you even reach any product has got be a winner right now. OK, Nike town did this kind of thing over 10 years ago (and possibly longer) but this is far more innovative. Nike just seemed to have a space before one reach any product, however Levis are really utilising it with such interesting projects, whether it be incredible Art installations or as right now with its Craft of Music sessions with (as its large format graphic says) "singer song writer legends to piano virtuosos, from beat box maestros and live dub step pioneers to true masters of indie rock.....the Craft of Music will give you the chance to experience and engage musics most exciting artists as close as you can possibly get". This is such an exciting move, and I will definitely keep checking back.....I just cant help but love the whole concept. Brilliant.

Esprit, London

I'm not quite sure how to interpret this scheme from Esprit here along Regent st. On the one hand this brand have recently produced some quite interesting schemes, although this one is rather 'Germanic' for me. If any of you have travelled to Euroshop which happens every few years in Dusseldorf in Germany, you'll know what I mean. I feel that the jeans placed as if submerged within tanks in a repetition format and within their overall scheme (this is not pictured here) actually works very well........but....mannequins in flippers and covered in fish net...hhmmm......very Dusseldorf I think. I am cringing a little as I write this and I simply cannot clench my buttocks any tighter however this scheme is just not right. This is a very 'male' thing to do what this brand have produced and I must apologise to the world on behalf of the male population for such a dreadful scheme.

Zara, London

For some strange reason, I keep missing Zara here in London. There is no particular reason for this other than there just are equally a whole range of fun schemes to view and this brand just became side lined for a few months while I looked at other brands. Anyway, the Regent st. scheme here in the heart of the city have recently installed this incredible scheme. Full figured White mannequins have been used in a pyramidal / repetition format with the obligatory background structure which has probably gone across the whole brand. What has drawn me in here and probably why this is so interesting is the bandaged Mohican head styling and their superb dressing. I do like what this particular store do and that again a 'multiple' has shown the way to other equally 'multiple' brands how to do 'it'. I feel cleansed again and maybe their is hope for the high street after all.

Alexander McQueen, London

Since the sad death of Alexander McQueen a few months ago, I had felt that this store's presentation had rather dulled a little. Yes, it was in place, but the edge had gone. However, whoever is managing this presentation is clearly finding their feet and we are starting to see some really very interesting schemes again - looking from the outside in of course. This is the first, of what I am sure will be ever more exciting and sophisticated concepts. The lighting here is exquisite, the patterns, delicious, the scheme in its simplicity is superb. Of course this is a confident brand, although it clearly has taken a severe knock and I am really looking forward to the next instalment as it dusts itself down and continues to move onwards and ever upwards and maintains its place as the most cutting edge brand globally.

Diesel, London

"If you've never done anything stupid, you've done nothing at all" I love this campaign from Diesel. The photography campaign is great fun and I particularly enjoyed the scenarios of how to be stupid. This is probably the best campaign I have seen from this brand and they are an excellent example of how a "multiple" brand can be extraordinarily creative. How the marketing campaign has been translated into a window scheme however is another thing. I am not sure that the humour of the campaign has translated that well - but this is not to say that the scheme is in any way wrong of course, I know that its impossible to place mannequins in the positions that the models are in within the original images on their site. I do like the over the over the shoulder strapped 'shields' that the mannequins have been dressed in and the various other props such as spray cans, although the fun is rather lost? Anyway, maybe check out their website and see what I mean?