Alexis Bittar, New York

I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of jewellery and own or wear nothing jewel-like on my person, not even a watch and never really have done.  I always find wearing additional and what I feel unnecessary accessories irritating.  I think that's why I hadn't heard of Alexis Bittar before now.  However, what incredible windows he has at his store in Manhatten and what incredibly beautiful jewellery.  I also discovered that Joan Collins was the face of Bittars 2010 campaign which was is great fun.  Anyway, it looks like taxidermy is going to be big in 2011 as we are seeing it just about everywhere - recycled or road kill preferably.  What drew me to this installation is the mythical  creatures that has been produced here from two original sources.  What great humour this guy must have.  I'm not a convert yet to jewellery for me personally but I do  appreciate how it has been shown here very much.

Seasons Greetings

If you're reading this.......get off your computer and enjoy your friends, family or  far too many Vodkas.  Happy Holidays from http://www.retailstorewindows.com/

Printemps, Paris



Image Courtesy and Copyright Fiona Ffoulkes

As Christmas Day approaches us quicker than a speeding bullet, here are some more images of the incredible scheme at Printemps, Paris.

Image Courtesy and Copyright Fiona Ffoulkes



Daffys, New York

Strangely I have never included Daffys on this site, although occasionally I have seen a few interesting schemes appear here.  What we have here of course is home product styled as if the mannequin was wearing it.  As far as I'm aware there is no actually name for this type of presentation and therefore it is quite difficult to categorise.  However, when explaining this to my students I usually use the term "Abstract product" to describe what we see here.  I have created this term to describe what we are looking at and therefore you wont find it in any text book.  Having said this of course, the majority of text books referencing Visual Merchandising will always remain firmly on the coffee table.  On the one hand the product of course is saleable, however it has been taken out of its original context and therefore styled with wit and humour as if it could actually be worn.  The backdrop is formed from these cartoon-like printed cut outs and while this brand screams value retailer to me, the scheme itself is rather sophisticated.   

Florence, Italy

Courtesy and Copyright Morgan Lin



I don't often see images of store windows from Florence.  Thanks to one of our contacts at http://www.retailstorewindows.com/ they have sent on some examples of some of the things that are happening right now.  How exciting.  Although I don't know where these images we taken, I have to admit the scheme here is rather stunning.

Courtesy and Copyright Morgan Lin



Vince, New York

I'm not wholly familiar with this brand as they have no European presence as far as I'm aware.  However, with the level of globalisation that we can experience on the high street, I fear that it wont be long before I see a store from this brand along Regent st. back in London.  Part of the pleasure of visiting the high street of cities such as New York is being able to experience different brands and their offer and while I haven't shopped here yet myself they do form part of the high streets identity and create the excitement that that entails.  Although I have only seen their schemes once before they always seem witty and fun.

Printemps Department store, Paris



Image Courtesy and Copyright Fiona Floulkes

  In Paris right now.  Printemps Department store, Paris


Image Courtesy and Copyright Fiona Floulkes



Dior, New York

One cant help but notice the new...ish fascias of the Dior stores right now.  We've seen it in Dubai in the Mall of Dubai and also recently, albeit a 'mini me' version at the newly opened Bond st. site in London.  I must say that I adore the new Dior illuminated fascias but I'm not so sure about their window schemes.  This one, however is great fun with mannequins perched on these silver 'pillows' moving vertically from floor to ceiling all day.  That said, the mannequins here, while of course are the best quality, always look a little either stunned or rather stilted rather than possessing the fluidity and grace that one might expect to represent this historically loaded brand?  A warmer skin tone, make up and bigger hair would have helped here as the females here look just as I feel - frozen.

On the streets, New York

Street trader downtown New York selling decoupaged mannequin parts.

Diane Von Furstenberg, New York

I've seen this store several times on previous visits to New York and they do tend to do some quite impressive installations.  The current scheme here at Diane Von Furstenberg in the Meatpacking district has these printed boxes placed in a pyramidal format.  The mannequins also have the same 'love is life' logo which has been carried out thought the store on fixtures, post it notes and so on.  Of course we saw this kind of printed mannequin technique at Alexander McQueen in London several months ago and again at Louis Vuitton (although those were hand painted).  Still, it is fun scheme at this store which certainly leads the way amongst all of the other stores I've seen from this brand.

On the Streets, New York



One very sick Santa, NYC



On the Streets, New York

Spotted while walking around the Meatpacking district this continues the paper pasted 'graffiti' trend that seems so popular here.  Temporary prints gradually weathered by time, so interesting.

Bloomingdales, New York

For some reason I nearly always forget to have a look at the windows at Bloomingdale's, and so I have made a special effort to go and check them out for you.  This year it was worth taking the time on one of my late night walks of the city to record the scheme here.  While of course the effect is rather less dramatic during the few day light hours we have this time of year, at night time large screens or projected images really do come alive.  While this is not the most lavish scheme I have seen here in the Big Apple, it really is quite dramatic due to the scale of it.  The repetition of these screens and images is quite breathtaking and yet no product in site.  A bold move and a bold scheme.  I really do quite like it.