Vivienne Westwood, London (MAN)

The newly opened 'Man' store from Vivenne Westwood at the Regent st. end of Conduit St. here in London, launched recently with its Spring / Summer 2010 collection based on Hollywood in the 1920's. The 1920's saw the release of films by icons such as Douglas Fairbanks in The Mark of Zorro and the Thief of Baghdad and Errol Flynn with his legendary parties on his yacht, Sirocco. This scheme, it seems is influenced by those Hollywood male leads from the society of the time with new adventures, excessive dinners and the beginning of Ocean travel. It is an interesting move by Westwood to open a store almost directly opposite one of her others however, the interiors of these spaces are also usually beautifully produced, and certainly on my list of places to visit and pay homage to the grand old Dame herself.

Delphine Manivet, London

While flanering the city recently I happened to notice the new store from Delphine Manivet along Dover st., opposite the de rigueur Dover st. market. I must admit that I had never heard of Manivet until now, and it was probably unlikely too unless I was searching for a beautiful White wedding dress - ok, completely unlikely, no really. Anyway, after a cursory search around the Internet I must say that if I were looking for a fabulously designed wedding dress and didn't wish to look like a meringue (as Madame M promises), then Delphine would be, possibly one of the people that I would visit. The store has a beautifully spacious interior space rather than the nauseous dreamy type of space one would possibly expect from this type of store. The window contains a large format graphic of a female rocking / pushing her pram in front of which is suspended one of the creations from Madame Manivet herself.

Tods, London

At the Piccadilly end of Bond St. is the latest scheme presented by Tods. This is a store that I don't normally include in on this site as shoes and handbags are simply presented as shoes and handbags rather than within a witty narrative context. However, this scheme uses these enormous camera 'like' structures with images by the iconic photographer Elliot Erwitt - "described as the master of indecisive moments" moving slowly from one iconic black and white image to the next, only with Tods shoes. Clever stuff, hey? Anyway, if you happen to be a fan of Elliot Erwitts photographs (and I certainly am) then this is worth a look if only for that. Alternatively, if you are not familiar with Erwitt, once you do an Internet search you will realise how many of his images you have seen before - most likely on greetings cards. His images are cleverly thought through great fun and if I were the head of visual at Tods (although of course I'm not) I think I would have asked Erwitt to create the whole scheme in which to present his images, maybe a missed opportunity?

Monaco Modern Art, London

While flaneuring the city, I happened upon the Monaco Modern Art Gallery along Half Moon St. here in London. Although I have attempted to find out more about the gallery and in particular, the artists showing here in order to share the information with you, sadly there is none available. I have passed this site on many occasions very briefly on my way to see the delights of Knightsbridge here in London but never had the opportunity to stop until now. Anyway, I thought this would be a wonderful place to sell product from as there seems to be a trend in combining modern Art with retail. How wonderful would this place be to buy those desirables from? Alternatively, these kind of places are ripe to find inspiration. Galleries are particularly important in viewing, not just for the Art, but also to be informed with regards to what is happening 'out there'. We can all view the huge exhibitions at the established galleries supported by our taxes, but just finding these tiny little places is the really gem and almost always worth the effort to find.

Harvey Nichols, London

One of the many pleasures of visiting this department store are the variety of window displays that they present. Following on from yesterday's entry, Harvey Nichols have once again exceeded all expectations and presented us with a plethora of visuals for us to gawk at and admire. Radiating rope structures form the main part of this part of the overall concept which is followed through even into the wigs that these figures are wearing. What fun to play on the use of rope and re-use the material in an experimental way. This team are truly creative and they continue to bring a smile to my face - particularly as it has become even wetter and colder here in Olde Londinium recently, and even though we have officially entered British Summer time - where is global warming when you need it, hey?

Harvey Nichols, London

Another delicious scheme is currently being presented by the wonderfully creative team at Harvey Nichols. Swirls of metallic structure, like undergrowth fill most of this scheme with the occasional organic structure and animals protruding as if growing from the metallic mossy bed. Mannequins embracing with masses of blond hair almost hiding their intimacy flow throughout. This quite a romantic scheme and and interesting direction for this team. The backdrop in muted tones completes the scheme. If you happen to be in Knightsbridge this week, pop your head around the corner of Harvey Niks and take a look. But do go at night time as I have done as it makes the whole experience quite magical.

Liberty, London

If you happen to be in town this week you must swing by Liberty and have a look at these amazing quilts designed by the very talented Maxine Groucutt. I had heard that they were in place through the grapevine and in the press and was dying to go and have a look for myself. The tourists love them and cameras were snapping away around me left right and centre. I even took my students to see them too - much to their amazement at the quality of the work here and we all got our 'Quilty pleasures' too. These tie in very nicely with the Quilts exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum which has recently opened and until 4th July. I am just salivating thinking about going. Anyway, do drop by Liberty, I can guarantee they will bring a smile to your face.

Enchanted at Kensington Palace, London

If you happen to be on the West side of town this week, do go along to Kensington Palace to visit the Enchanted Palace experience. Contemporary fashion designers such as Vivienne Westwood, and milliner Stephen Jones have created pieces which reflect some of its former residents. The Enchanted Palace is an experience through parts of the Palace whose inhabitants included Princesses Diana, Margaret and Victoria. It is such a pleasure to view the inside of these places which most of us have only ever seen from the outside and the experience is quite extraordinary. On entering the reception we were issued with a map of the different rooms to visit and tasked to collect clues as we went to guess who had lived in these historical spaces. Great fun. The installations (only some are shown here) are quite remarkable. Secret doors lead into ballrooms or reveal strategically placed cracked mirrors with hand written messages. Dresses worn by Princesses Diana and Margaret are beautifully lit and surrounded by an enchanted forest and most rooms are in semi darkness with shadows projected onto the ceilings. Anyway, I'll keep some of the mystery to myself so that you can enjoy the experience. But do along, if only to see the view from the Great Hall - the other side of those iconic main gates where masses of flowers were laid when Princess Diana died, incredible.

Chanel, London

Be afraid, very afraid. I find myself in a situation where I would dearly love to be positive about this brand, but sadly yet again I cant think of a single thing to be positive about. While life is too precious to say what I am actually thinking, I know a lot of you, from the messages that you send to me are wildly concerned about this brand. However, try as I may to poke the visual team into some kind of reaction - nothing. This brand clearly has a limitless cash flow without facing any apparent consequences that they can't purchase their way out of. But, what is going on here? Come on followers, you know what I'm thinking here and trying to say. I certainly know what you think beyond here. Is this brand suicide? Tell me what you think? I cant clench my buttocks any more and my toes are curled at 180 degrees.

Zara, London

It is always so refreshing to see localisation of creativity within these multiple global brands and this store always do some wonderful stuff. I do feel that the team possibly have to work very hard to create what they do, in as much as they may not be as supported by the brand as much as they would wish and therefore, while bursting with creativity, they seem to have to pull together what they do, dragging the brand into a creative presentation. I'm not privy to the meetings at Zara Towers, so my comments are not informed, however imagine the flagship creative team were given a little more money and a little more support, what they could do? Of course the usual multiples global scheme can still be seen around the corner of this Oxford St. site, however this one did bring a smile to my face and I love references to Alice in Wonderland contained within it.

Vivienne Westwood, London

One of my favourite stores in London, has to be the Vivienne Westwood store here along Conduit St. Not that I shop here that often you understand. The cost of these pieces would feed a family of five for a month and I just cant justify the expense to myself, although I do like to have a look at least - well thats free. This store rarely change their bust forms (which incidently are made by my dear friends at Proportion>London). However, it was a pleasure to see the team experiment a little using old logs, a dog basket, plastic funnel, bits of old rope and other 'found' ephemera on which to hang the merchandise. This is a refreshing change of direction happening here in these tiny spaces which works quite well. Perhaps because of the nature of the merchandise. After all, I cant see this happening at 'Primarni'. Whether you're a fan of Westwood or not, I am pleased that we do at least have some British designers left who are brave enough to cater for the niche market and for that I am rather thankful.

Diesel, London

I'm a huge fan of this brands ideas and schemes, although I must admit I am a little bemused by this one. Having followed them for quite some time I cant quite work this one out. During the day it is difficult to record due to the reflection on the glass and late at night it appears so sinister. This, perhaps is not the intention and I love Black as a shade of light (as we know, Black is not a colour), however, the Black sprayed legs protruding from the bases on which this scheme stand are a little unnerving to me. Perhaps, my perpetual fear of being buried alive is something which this scheme reminds me of? I don't know. Perhaps, its a little to Haiti-esque. As we know, references to death are rather taboo in window schemes (at least -and I tend to agree - according to my incredibly talented American colleague Sara K. Schneider from Chicago in her fantastic avant garde book Vital Mummies and with whom I have swapped many wonderful e-mail messages) however I cant help feeling that this was not the brands actual intention here, just my perception. For me, at least, it is not one of their best schemes (perhaps a gap filler?) but I do look forward to the next scheme which I am sure will be a winner.

Burberry, London

It was quite a relief to see that Burberry have finally moved on from their motif schemes that they have been using for the past 12 months in favour of these land of the giant type letter forms. Depending on which store you look at, some are in Black and others are in White. It is a welcome break from the monotony of the previous schemes although the motif does still form the background so its not a complete departure but it a step in a refreshing direction at least. Headless forms carry the merchandise sprayed in White.