BVLGARI, London

Having looked through my archives, I recently realised that I've never included this brand on this site.  On reflection this is probably because the times that I go out and visit them are when they have shut up shop and cleared out the jewellery.  However, as the brand have recently teamed up with Mathew Williamson, these guys have gone from the ultra dull to something actually quite exciting.  Of course we have seen this kind of fractured backdrop countless times around the globe (and many times here), so it really isn't a new concept, although the guys here are presenting this promotion from a slightly different angle I suppose?  Normally the schemes here, are delicious in their execution, as one would expect, however they are nonetheless also incredibly dull.  Thank goodness for this Mathew Williamson promotion to elevate their overall schemes - at least slightly.  Maybe now is the time also to inject some creativity into the schemes at the Mathew Williamson store round the corner from here too?  Please? 

Asprey, London

I have to admit that I really do like the new scheme at Asprey.  This is possibly one of the best schemes I have seen from this brand in absolutely ages.  I was of course very complimentary of their Christmas scheme although prior to that possibly a little dismissive of their previous ones and no surprise really, taa daa.., !!! those dreadful trees that they had here a few months ago now have a look-a-like in Mango's scheme (Roger's theory of diffusion of what? bring it on laggards, next stop Primark I guess).  But anyway, hands up, these guys have pulled it off once again and I was drawn in to take a closer and longer look at what they have produced.  Entertaining and witty, who knew Asprey could be such fun?  And beautifully produced too.  Cheers guys..!

Louis Vuitton, London

I have been itching to see this scheme in all is glory for days and now being able to stand back and enjoy the spectacle is such a pleasure.  If you happen to be along Bond St. you must go and take a look at what the guys here have created.  With their usual sophisticated wit and humour Louis Vuitton have presented us with these incredible Ferris wheels of handbags and a roller coaster of luggage stretching across two floors.  Thankfully there were no cars parked outside of the store when I took these images so I was able to capture it in all its glory without interruption.  I must also swing by soon and get a closer look inside to see their installation in store as that's such a treat too....! Thank you guys..a wonderful vision of creativity..!

Burberry, London

During the Sale period its always such a pleasure to view schemes such as this one at Burberry, as just about every other retailer is covered with Red and White sale graphics even now.  With their candy tones of suspended perspex from which product has been suspended this is a welcome relief.

Cuba, On the Streets

Images Copyright and Courtesy of 'MEB'

Here at http://www.retailstorewindows.com/ towers we recently received images from our gorgeous and ever so talented newly septuagenarian 'MEB'.  MEB is one of our covert and ever so kind eyes around the world.  'M' as she is so affectionately known to us, globe trots for hours, days and months in search of the latest and greatest from around the world - tough job for some hey?  OK seriously she really did pull out all the stops to seek out the latest gorgeous spaces and places from Cuba.  So where are they?  I hear you ask.  Well there are none (or at least only a few), save for a Paul and Shark - and lets face it who cares about brands like that anyway?  Ultimately there were very few.  As this site is about capturing the zeitgeist we have here some gorgeous images of some wonderful 1950's American cars that rattle around the streets of Havana, many often now hand painted, but always treated like the matriarch of the family - with the greatest respect and highly treasured. 

On the one hand this is a great 1950's American theme park of a city, on the other, nearly everyone is so desperately poor.  If any of you remember Brezhnev's Russia, particularly from the 1980's when tourists could only shop in designated stores and Moscowvites really did come up to you in the street and ask if they could buy the clothes you were stood in (yes, they really did) or the Levis adverts of young males trying to sneak in pairs of Denims into the USSR, this is the same story but now its 2011 - bonkers, surely?  How can a Government - well dictatorship - allow its people to live so desperately and from our reports, so poorly?  As we see revolt after revolt by the people of these types of countries from around the world (and rightly so), it can surely only be a matter of time before these regimes explode and implode into some kind of horror story?  We've seen the likes of the Marco's, Amin's, and no doubt soon Mugabe, deposed and its only a matter of time before the Castro's are too.  Not that I wish to see Banana Republic, Old Navy, or any other mega bland brand-type stores destroy or re-brand this history, and hopefully after the inevitable revolution which will undoubtedly happen, hopefully we will see a new and fresh direction happen beyond the hideous global branding and visual-by-manual mentality. Who knows?  I just hope these guys don't  crave t-shirts from Gap, sweaters from Benetton and god forbid pairs of Uggs.  (maybe Cubuggs?)   However, these guys possibly made a lot of this stuff anyway, although, I feel, it may still be seen, sadly, as aspirational.

Galler Chocolates, Ghent, Belgium

If you happen to be in Belgium naturally you have to try their best export - Chocolate.  Galler "is a luxury chocolate house of which there are many in Belgium".  "The window appeals because of its uses the cocoa pods to house the finished product before being packaged in a sumptuous Orange coloured box."  I'm yet to have the opportunity to explore the delights Belgium and particularly the Chocolate experience.  

Images Courtesy and Copyright Clare Scutts

B Store, London

Do you ever wander along Saville Row?  I must admit that its not the kind of place that's on my mind as a destination for shopping.  Well known of course for its tailored suits of exceptional quality to the Kings, Princes, Dukes of the world and I guess more recently city slickers and those with enough money to buy into the history of this street.  However, while Aberzombie (my mis-spelling) has moved into the old Jil Sander store which if I remember correctly was originally an old bank at one end of the street, there still is a beacon of hope at the other in the form of B Store.  OK, well, I must confess I know nothing about this brand / store to share with you, however the presentation is so interesting.  With their museum-like artefact's lined up in their window space and their abstract figure as their focal point announcing the bleeding thumb whittling club cut in vinyl and placed on the glass I was drawn in to take a closer look.  Unfortunately I was in a rush (as is London life) and on my way to see one of my clients so I didn't have time to take a closer look.  Next time I'm in the area , I will certainly make the time to go in and  have a closer inspection, but in the meantime, just enjoy this interesting installation.

Moschino, London

Thankfully, Mulberry is not the only one who is doing something interesting right now during the dreaded Sale period.  Moschino along Conduit st. seem to produce a lot of out sized props in their schemes and have done so for quite a while. I always feel that these are great fun.  I don't always like them, but they are great fun nonetheless.  Here we have this giant sized Sellotape-type dispenser, from which is dispensed a similar fabric to the dress being show cased.  This is not a lavish scheme of course, although I do like out sized stuff in windows and it is a refreshing break from all of the Red plastered Sale windows around town right now.

Mulberry, London

Thankfully in these dark months of Sale windows, Mulberry (whom I don't always write kind things about) are providing an oasis of beautiful things at their site along Bond st.  I was concerned that we would spend this month looking at traditional Sale windows - traditional in the sense of large format graphics and windows completely blanked out with a mass of Red.  However, Mulberry are currently saving the day and providing this great spectacle for us with their cartoon cut outs and out-sized Pink roses.  Great fun, cheers Mulberry. 

Louis Vuitton, London

New scheme is coming.......and coming very soon.......had a sneaky preview through the blinds tonight.....its another winner.....of course.....!  Watch this space for the launch.  While I'm trying not to tease you, what I saw does look amazing.....soooo will post the latest scheme for you all later.

Cos, London

As Sale windows go, while this is a very simple scheme from Cos, although the tiny details here make it just that little bit more interesting.  OK, well it is just a hanging graphic with the zeros and O's punched out, but on closer inspection, some wonderful words have also been printed randomly across it.  What more can I possibly say about it really?

Desiguel, London

After a whole month of entries from New York, its sadly time to focus back on London.  I say sad, as I found some amazing schemes across the pond and its Sale time back here and not the most visually exciting time of the year but but then by the nature of travelling, at some point you have to return.  Anyway, on my quest to find some kind of innovation - and it has been difficult -  here's the first for you.  OK, well, not the most exciting scheme I've ever seen, only a slight variation on the Sale theme.  Here, at Desiquel, their vinyl informs us they they love Sale (I don't particularly) however with their giant sized t-shirt, this scheme is salvaged from the ranks of  the hideous.  But only just.

Lamp Works Inc., New York

While wandering the city along East 58th st. recently I came across Lamp Works Inc. and this fun installation which I believe is called Art de Triomphe.  For a company that sells lighting fixtures, I felt that this was a wonderfully abstract way of creating interest around a product without actually obviously selling it.  With its gravity defying garden scene, I was compelled to record it and show it to you as this is such an innovative way of drawing me in to the space without the direct sales angle.  Wonderful stuff.