Bershka, London

Bershka, here in London, has installed this interesting concept. The female mannequins look superb and the male figures look like men - real men. This makes a refreshing change from the usual camp figures we can view across the brands. Not that I mind feminine male figures in the slightest, and well, just as shoes for females come in every conceivable range, men are limited to the usual Black, Brown and Grey, and so it is with male figures. Either they look like neanderthals or they look like they would bitch about your make-up, there doesn't seem to a male figure that falls in between these two extremes. However, Bershka seem to have achieved a balanced look that works very well. My only criticism here is the use of the props. i.e. chandeliers and gold sprayed chairs, which while they work very well within this concept they have been used a lot and only recently chandeliers could be seen in Mango just around the corner, Joseph on Bond Street, even currently in Harvey Nichols etc, and FCUK have used a similar type of chair as have other brands recently and throughout the Summer. I feel time invested looking around to see what others are doing or have done when planning a scheme is time well spent.

Harrods, London

Swing by Harrods in Knightsbridge here in London and one can view this extraordinary installation based on the Wizard of Oz. Of course it is the 70th Anniversary of the making of the iconic film (2009 seems to be the year of Anniversaries) Anyway, the team have produced this fantastic spectacle which I have been dying to go and view while on my walks around the city. The usual yellow high energy burning lamps (or light bulbs in lay mans terms) that highlight this Emporium have been replaced with Green ones. This I feel works incredibly well and draws one in to take a closer look. The execution of the windows to which I am ultimately drawn is absolutely superb. The quality of the styling and attention to detail is second to none. Having seen the film many times and so many varied versions of the Wizard of Oz on stage, of course the munchkins are always replaced by children, or in this case child mannequins. I find child mannequins quite sinister, but that's just me. Of course the UK has become so painfully politically correct and Health and Safety bonkers that this is slowly suffocating and killing creativity so maybe there is no alternative. In the mean time, Dorothy does have the whiff of an inflatable latex female friend of some lonely suburban male and there are many 'friends' of hers making an appearance in the proceeding windows. By the nature of this theme I cant think of any way of avoiding this as it is so heavily loaded. Anyway, after months of hard work by the creative team I do feel that anyone who is anyone should go and see this amazing interpretation...........however...........

............. just when you were enjoying this amazing spectacle from the creative team - reading the windows from left to right and following the narrative - this is the final window below. Revenge fantasy of meddling marketing? I will leave you to make up your own mind.

(Videos of some of these windows can be found on my You Tube channel: Jhvefun)

Changing Window Schemes

One of the things we usually don't see as the viewing public are the people working late into the night to bring us the amazing visuals along the high street. These guys work incredibly hard, often all night, often several nights and days in a row until the final schemes are revealed. As we enter the Christmas season, possibly the most spectacular time of the year in industry, this also means an exhausting schedule for the people involved in implementing the schemes. While many retailers have already installed their schemes, there are a few retailers working steadily up to their launch. Here are just a few examples of some of the schemes either about to be launched or just beginning the process. Please remember to spare a thought for all of those people who are working incredibly hard to bring us the spectacle that we perhaps sometimes take for granted.

Something in gold leaf at Max Mara.................................

Ralph Lauren windows - were the chandeliers sat on Bond St. going in or coming out?

Preparation for the launch of Jimmy Choo at H&M

Hermes new scheme in progress

Apologies to the guy in the window at Louis Vuitton....!

Student Visit to Proportion London

As part of my students course I often arrange site visits through my contacts in various companies. I feel that these introductions into the industry are a crucial part of their Education and feedback from students is always so positive. Here you are able to view images taken by one of my students on a visit to the Proportion London showroom in the Farringdon area of London. While I visit this and many other companies quite often myself I do find that what I see tends to blur and meld over time. After all we are bombarded with so much visual information every day. Therefore, what I do find so interesting is being able to see through the eyes of my students what exactly they see for their first time and also what interests them. This is a useful exercise for us as tutors to do, as it does enable us as to tap into what interests students and try at least to pitch our lectures to our audience at the appropriate level. During the visit students had the opportunity hear a presentation from Tanya Reynolds who is the Creative Director at Proportion London and ask all of those burning questions such as the process they go through from initial inspiration to the launch of a new collection and to talk to Tanya about her journey from the beginning of her career to where she is now. While flaneur-ing the city it is very difficult to find a store that does not use a piece from Proportion London. Testament, I believe, that what they do, they do so incredibly well, and the real pleasure for me lies in the fact that not only are they so wonderfully creative they are all so genuinely nice about it too.

Student Work

Following on from yesterday's blog. These are additional examples of our students thoughts as they continue their journey through University.

Student: AM

There are a lot of upside downs and going's on, good and bad, in my life at the moment that's why I chose the images with the tangled wire. I believe these unbalances are ones that cant be subtracted from one's life either now or later because it will make things too perfect. I consider myself rather organized and set, I have no permanent home as I am spread across and between two very different country's. I want things calm in both my 'now' and my 'later' with a tranquil home, easy life style and preferably in a job that handles mannequins and hours behind a window creating something new for people to admire and remember. Generally I just want to be 'head over heals' with the 'later' me.

Student: AN

Where I am at the present time: I am currently working on a zero hour contract as a Visual Merchandiser at Debenhams department store. I am studying Display Design at the London College of Communcation and I am currently feeling very stressed with home and an emotional personal life. I have no money as student which adds to this stress.

Where I want to be: I am hoping to eventually find a senior position in Visual Merchandising for a big department store like Selfridges here in London. I want to be happy whatever I do and I want to afford the things I want, be comfortable, have money and want to be happily married with a family of my own.

Student work

As my students begin the final year of their course I tasked them one afternoon to reflect on how far they had come, what they had achieved and where their aspirations lay. I was quite surprised with their genuine thoughtfulness and candid reflection. As the group are very visual it was clearly appropriate to request that they communicate their thoughts and emotions through a mood board. In addition to this they were asked to articulate these thoughts in order to communicate to a much wider audience. Here are just two examples from the group which they have allowed me to share with you (although I have deliberately only published their initials). These thoughts, I feel are representative of the life of a contemporary student, which is often so difficult and challenging here in the UK in the noughties.

Student: KK

Right now, I live in London studying Display Design at the London College of Communication. Whilst studying I am able to gain a lot of experience within the industry, by taking up various work placements. In the past I have worked at Selfridges, Habitat and Marks and Spencer’s. Recently I have helped in implementing the Harrods Christmas display, which celebrates 70 years of the making of the film, The Wizard of Oz. This has helped enormously in giving me an insight into this world of work and also to help set my goals. In the future I aim to get a job in the Display Design industry, perhaps working for Selfridges or Harvey Nichols and then work as a freelance designer.

Student: ST

Where I am:

This is about what I am doing now and where my mind is. I am a student living with my parents and earn money from home doing babysitting, celebration cakes and styling friends and family member's hair, whether it be braids or just a trim. I am in conflict with myself as I have depression which is depicted in the centre image and so I lack motivation, feel tired and at times am unsure of myself. I have dyslexia which does not bother me as I am in the same group of those who are successful, creative and have some of the greatest minds in world history such as Einstein and Bill Gates. I chose a black background as I am in a dark place because of my depression.

Where I want to be:

This one was a challenge for me as I am unsure of myself at this present time. I can only say I would like my own house to be married with a family and a job I enjoy doing. I will, of course remain dyslexic, but most of all I want to be happy, full of life, self confidence and energetic.

Dover Street Market, London

Those of you are familiar with the work of Shigeru Ban will be aware of how phenomenal this Architect is. Probably one of the most famous pieces of work from this Japanese Architect are the paper tube structures he used for Takatori Catholic Church in Kobe, Japan. Ban is probably the most radical and influential experimentalist in industry - I am certainly a fan. It is therefore no surprise to see Ban's work incorporated into the visual scheme at Dover street market here in London amongst the many other contemporary Uber movers and shakers who's product sells here. Here we have one of Ban's latest pieces of product, the 10 units system which has been created in recycled plastic and paper - Ban's signature. The chairs in monochromatic shades have been placed in a pyramidal effect within the store's window.

Zara, London

While flaneur-ing along Oxford St. here in London this week I happened upon the latest windows from Zara. References (possibly) to Lady Gaga and Cheryl Cole (am not sure they will thank me for saying that) can be seen here although this is quite an extraordinary scheme which warranted some attention. While this could have been quite a dull scheme with the use of repetition of a radiating form, the team have incorporated tumbling black Barbie dolls worn as a headdress, stuffed black rubber gloves, enormous wigs and tonnes of personality. It is such a pleasure to see some of Zara's team being 'allowed' to do such creative installations and it certainly is dramatic on the eye. So, grab your lallies and troll ajax Bond St. and have a varda at this wonderfully bona installation.

Fortnum and Mason, London

Have you been to Fortnum's recently? I just so happened to drop by this week. You know the scenario, what do you buy someone who has everything and you don't want to clutter their homes or impose your personal preferences on friends who have a particular...well preference. If you go along to Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly you can pick up the most wonderful consumables that you know at least your friends can enjoy either with or without you. Anyway, during my visit this week I came across this amazing installation. Now, to me it has the fingerprints of DZD based on Tottenham Court road. I have seen the in house team implementing the scheme with a few Swans in the windows, so I am guessing that there is a connection with Swan Lake - possibly Mathew Bourne thrown in - if I am reading between the lines correctly. If you havent seen Mathew Bourne's Swan Lake this must be on your list of 100 things to do before you die - incredible. Anyway, in the mean time do go along and have a look if only to see the tourists mesmerised by this enormous cascading installation and insisting on having their photographs taken within it. I think from a VM perspective it has done its job and doing it very well indeed. As for my shopping, well I did manage to buy a few consumables while simultanously consuming as many crackers with sample bits of cheese when the assistant turned around, but I know you wont tell anyone.

Habitat, London

Those of you around the world who are not familiar with this brand, it was founded in 1964 by Sir Terrance Conran in order for him to market his Summa range of furniture. Having been controlled by a variety of people since Conran left the company during the 1980's, I believe it is now owned by Ikea, although this doesn't seem to be common knowledge or at least, it seems that they are reluctant to shout about it (I may be wrong so please do let me know if you have more informed information) Anyway, the initial 1960's concept consisted of white washed walls, tiled floors and spot lighting. This created a sense of space within the retail environment and allowed the customer to concentrate on the product. The stores are now rather more sophisticated than the initial concept and as we can see here from their Regent St. store, it is exceptionally well presented. The team have used pieces of circular vinyl placed on the glass, reminiscent of one of those colour blindness tests. Anyway, the circular symbol has been used throughout the space creating an interesting rhythm. My own interest in coloured fluorescent lighting in schemes is waning a little as they have been flogged to death for so long in so many other places, however I think they do elevate the scheme and they do highlight particular areas which draws the eye toward them - so this cant be a bad thing. The dark grey back wall gives this enormous promotional space a sense of drama and context.

B Cosmetics

B cosmetics along Oxford St. here in London is a brand I know very little about. I believe this store opened only earlier this year (although I cant quite be sure as this is somewhere I have no reason to shop and therefore haven't thought to track its development). This is perhaps a little out of place on Oxford st. and perhaps a Mall in Dubai is probably where its personality would sit better? Anyway, according to its website the company began six years ago in Carnaby st., but sadly while they have this quite pristine flagship store they are in fact closing at the end of the year as they are unable to make a profit. I am not a great fan of the design of this store, I must admit, but the ethics of the company seem actually very thoughtful to the environment. I did have a quick scan at some of the products, particularly of course for myself as a male customer and I must admit that while the contents of the product sound wonderful I am not sure that the packaging would persuade me to buy anything. But then maybe I am not their target market? Who knows. On reflection I cant really see myself wafting around my studio with a Breath of God Fragrance Fan or a Lady Boy Lemon Melt, so clearly not. Anyway, as their site says, these items are limited addition, so go on, help them out and go and buy some products before they're gone forever.

Halloween, London

Its that time of year again. No, not Christmas just yet, although I have noticed schemes being installed recently in the centre of London. Unlike our cousins across the pond we simply just don't seem to do anything for Halloween here in London. I really struggled to find anyone who was doing anything to promote this commercial nonsense, some skipping it completely and jumping to a Christmas scheme. This is going to make it hard for me to write about anything in the next few weeks if the schemes that are being implemented are going to last until the 25th December, when its still October. Anyway, David and Goliath, a brand that I am completely unfamiliar with have installed the scheme you see here. Scary, eh? I did manage to find a couple of other Halloween bits and pieces around town. Tezenis displayed some pumpkins in their window surrounded with posters from scary films and Stella McCartney installed an inflatable mortuary. Oh well, bring on the Christmas schemes I guess and lets hope the credit crunch ends soon.

Profile Display, London

How many places can one go and be in the company of so many famous people? Well visit Profile Display in West London and you can be in the company of Twiggy Lawson, Sandie Shaw and Marie Helvin (Above pic). This is only the tip of the iceberg. Crammed to the rafters in this Aladdin's cave of mannequins of yesteryear are figures with names that read like a who's who. Yes, they look 'nackered, chipped, scratched, worn and unloved, but to anyone truly creative who can see their potential and knows how to handle this product well, this is a gem of a find. Afterall they can all be renovated as the client desires. Kim Fraser is the Director here, doing what it says on the tin with an amazing sense of humour. What Kim doesn't have in his stock isn't worth having. Show him a mannequin and he can name the collection, the person and even the production code. He probably even has the original catalogue - truly incredible. I first came across Profile Display through a contact of mine many years ago. They don't advertise, they don't have a website and if you're lucky you may get a reply from an e-mail - very Unter stuff. And yet you would be amazed at how often you will see their work, quietly working away and serving this industry. This is a must have contact for any free-lancer or designer out there.

Kim Fraser can be contacted at kim@profile-display.co.uk