Heal's, London

If you haven't been to see Heal's whispering windows then do take a look (and listen)  we were there late in the evening and just caught the last of 'Gone with the Wind' while the other windows 'slept'.  Launching their new Mattresses website this iconic store has just leaped to the forefront of our minds. Who needs static windows, eh, when we can be entertained audibly as well as visually?  If you happen to be on Tottenham Court Road here in the centre of it all then you must go an experience this incredible technology from the guys at www.feonic.com

Alexander McQueen, London

London Fashion Week really wouldn't be complete without a 'wow' collection from McQueen to rock the establishment, would it?  And they never seem to fail.  At their Bond Street store, the fantastic merchandise is just oozing from the window with this product / fashion led scheme with tessellated vinyl creating the illusion that the mannequin is being gradually revealed before us.  These guys just get it all so right.

Forever 21, London

It looks like London Fashion Week is well and truly upon us and retailers here in the heart of it all are either squeezing out the last of Valentines promotions,  have jumped ahead to Easter or are embracing this moment.  At Forever 21, the good old Union flag has been dusted down from all of the Jubilee celebrations last year and supported with an announcement of 'Celebrate British Fashion week'.  Slightly odd thing to announce for London Fashion Week.  Is anything happening outside of London to call this British Fashion week?  Are the fashionista of Stockport, Bognor, Aberystwyth or Inverness sporting the latest from Prorsum, McQueen or Westwood?  Unlikely.  Or are Edinburgh Woollen Mills catwalk events making a killing on Sales right now with after show parties offering deep fried Greggs sandwich canapes and a bottle of the finest White Lightning?  We can only wonder.

Max Mara, London

We love the clever use of the mirrors here at Max Mara (which look much better in real life).  Got a detail on the back of your product?  Your customer doesn't have 360 degree or X-ray vision? ...then why not employ the use of a few mirrors to do the work for you?  Devilishly simple and works perfectly......of course.

Space NK Apothecary, London

We don't often include Space NK, we do love their products, although its not often they do anything very interesting.  However, we loved this stacked book effect with product placed on top; such a great way to elevate the product in an interesting way don't you think?

Fashion Retail:Future Directions

If you missed the opening of Fashion Retail:Future Directions last night then here's a little snapshot for you.  'Looking at the future trends of retail design, concept stores, gallery-like retail environments, the project explores the trend in complimentary curation of retail spaces and builds on the existing strong relationship between fashion, art, design and architecture'.  'The exhibition presents the various stages of design development through to completion and maps out the entire journey to the final outcome exhibited here'.  So go on, take the afternoon off and pop down to Viabizzuno inlondra, 122, Great Titchfield Street, London and see this gem for yourself. 

Calvin Klein, London

We're becoming more and more drawn to old CK here on Regent street.  We  loved the Sale window; very simple and great light installation.  This isn't the most creative brand where window schemes are concerned apart from the NYC mega store which we always make a bee-line for whenever we visit that incredibly exciting city, but this store here in London is doing something right which is elevating it above their usual ordinary schemes.

DKNY, London

We're not entirely sure how we feel about this scheme at DKNY?  The security grille is so distracting that it would definitely have been better to have a closed backed space to these windows, don't you think?  We understand the scheme and we can see the references to New York and in isolation this is perfectly OK (we would put a bit of both windows props in each of course).  But, anyway, the little Dogs and signage are beautifully made.

Louis Vuitton, London

Just around the corner from Harvey Niks is the gorgeous Louis Vuitton scheme on Sloane street.  How stunning is this scheme?  Shiny Sliver typewriters and a flying manuscript........we certainly know how this feels right now with our pending book.  Day after day and night after night we've been chained to our computers, but, just so that you know, it will be launched in August this year.  We will of course send out gentle reminders in the meantime.

Harvey Nichols, London

If you happen to be in the Knightsbridge area of London then do go and visit the windows at Harvey Niks.  In this prolonged period of austerity and with references to sustainability mixed with huge doses of glamour, we cant help but just love what these guys do.  Branches and cardboard lined windows with fabulously glamorous mannequins in the latest luxury fashions, this store continues to be one of favorite places to go shopping (well, look really if the truth was known..!....but then looking is free) in the world.

Alessi, London

Oh Alessi, you've let the side down.  You guys produced a fantastic Jubilee scheme last Summer time and looked great at Christmas.  But, come on guys show us more than hearts on a fricking tree, eh?  You've been clever with your product on previous occasions but we're not drawn in by this one.  Really?

Camper, London

How cool is this presentation at Camper?  We love these large brush-like structures for this product which just makes everything look just that little but more enticing, interesting and so much less ordinary, don't you think?

Agent Provocateur, London

If you're not yet entirely sure what you are going to do for your Valentine's celebrations, then why not have 'Adventures in Lingerie'? We can't imagine ourselves slipping into these little 'scratchy' numbers at our local Supermarket petrol station somehow, although stranger things have happened.  Its a shame that these mannequins look a little disheveled, 'done' or 'had' as this always appears to be such a glamorous brand and the 'two hookers holding a petrol (or gas if you are reading this stateside) pump nozzle in such a suggestive way makes these mannequins in this scenario appear more 'up for it' rather than sexy.  Maybe its someones fantasy, just not ours.  If ya know wha' we mean...;o)