French Connection, London

This brand seemed to have really lost its way visually although we were quite impressed to see how these guys appear to be turning these aspects of it around.  Following on from quite a sophisticated, albeit, bizarre marketing campaign (did anyone get it?) the team here seem to be re-establishing their direction (even if the text on these banners is still rather obscure).  Although this is a very simple scheme, it does work very well, saying, to us at least... "that this is the merchandise we have so come and get it".  It has huge impact from across the street and we do hope this is the start of ever more interesting schemes to come.  

Miss Sixty / Energie, London

This is such a fun scheme from Energie / Miss Sixty which brought a huge smile to our faces.  These large out sized eyeballs are placed in this repetition format (essentially repetition of radiating forms) some of which wink (or blink?).  We have seen some really great schemes from this brand over time and this is certainly the most fun to date.  Do check out there store along Carnaby Street and take a look yourself.  Another little winner we think.  Thanks Energie / Miss Sixty, great fun.

Desiguel, London

We have to hand it to these guys as they really do make an effort to entice us into their stores.  Desiguel always seem to have such fun schemes in their windows - whether we personally like them or not is absolutely irrelevant, as they clearly really do work hard to entertain us.  What is particularly interesting about this scheme is the appeal to the auditory senses.  In Visual merchandising this is something that is very under utilised in the industry, as is the olfactory appeal.  If you happen to see this scheme and listen above the noise of the traffic on Regent street (no mean feat) one can hear the call of the seagulls (just about) from the fenestration.  Huge applause to these guys for doing something that we no longer see (or hear very much these days).  If you happen to walk along the luxury brand streets one can just smell the luxury oozing from the stores although this is probably not deliberate.  Luxury brands just smell nice anyway.  However, hats off to these guys for the wonderful entertainment and really trying hard to appeal to something more that the usual visual.

Esprit, London

Multiple Gerbera...............it must be Summer then.  We do quite like the merchandise at this brand but the schemes here just don't seem to reflect it.  However, that said, it does perhaps have a little more identity and and differentiation from some of the stores that surround it.  Its such a shame that these kind of multiple brands stamp the same scheme out of a mold rather than to allow localised creativity which would have enhanced the presentation enormously.  

Belstaff, London

We've only just realised that we've never mentioned this brand on this site before.  We often pass this store along Conduit st. but strangely it always seems to elude us.  Having said that, we've had a closer look at the merchandise and while it is rather pricey it is quite wonderful.  In fact we were drooling over the collections on-line.  Unfortunately, if you wish to buy on-line (and we're not sure this is a brand that one would want to do this with) the site is rather out of date.  Strangely its rich history only leads up until 2006 - bizarre, eh?  Also, the merchandise available on-line is also quite limited.  Looks like a visit to the store is in order.  Anyway, within the window schemes the brand have used old crates in which to present the merchandise.  This is something we've seen a lot of around town since January.  The brand have also used these full bodied generic mannequins in a high gloss  Black finish.   The colours of course of the merchandise are absolutely on trend and we're going to swing by soon and take a closer look.  

DnA Factory, London

theDnAfactory : Love The Disease : Dulwich Open House Preview.  This, the third and final year of participation for theDnAfactory in the Dulwich Open House sees a preview of several pieces from the new collection : Love The Disease, plus a chance to see an overview of their work for the last five years with selections from the collections : This Human Condition and The China In Your Hand.

Viewing times : 11am - 6pm (daily)
Viewing dates : Saturday 7th May and Sunday 8th May 2011
Venue : 17 Harwarden Grove. London SE24 9DQ
You MUST see this work: Check out the guys at http://www.thednafactory.com/

Burberry, London

We didn't think we would see it, say it (or write it) but we are mightily impressed with the new scheme at Burberry.  We love the way these guys have really changed the existing space in this scheme to bring us these show windows focusing our eyes on the product.  After what seems a lifetime, we finally have a scheme from this brand which is not a re-hash of the traditional Brand design in just about every format possible.  We applaud you Burberry and thank you for finally moving these schemes forward.  We love the product, but the previous schemes were so deathly dull and finally someone has injected a bit of oomph..! into their schemes.  Job well done we think...!...Relief..!

Clarks, London

Who would have thought that Clarks shoes would actually look so trendy, eh?  You turn your back for just one second and even this brand has changed direction faster than a speeding bullet.  We're sure, just like us, you remember (or maybe haunted by) that foot measuring machine from the 70's into which one placed ones feet in order to be measured by those fast moving metallic plates that ever-so-quickly enclosed those pre-teen hooves leaving us to come out in a cold sweat in fear of them being crushed ((((shudder))).  Of course, they only ever gently kissed the sides of the hand-me-down-heel-darned-Wolsey's but sometimes these things never leave us.  Anyway, this store on the corner of Regent st and Conduit st. is one we've been keeping an eye on for a while.  OK, well its still not cool to admit that you shop here (and we don't) but 10/10 for these guys who are clearly moving this brand on and shaking off that smell of a not-so-cheap shoe repairers (and key cutters) and purveyors of stout Brown walking shoes that still haunts us to this day.  That said we are truly thankful that we had to wear and had the benefit of those jolly sensible little numbers, now, with fast approaching middle age but perfectly formed and trouble free feet.   We think this brand have leaped on enormously and hands up, not a bad job too.  Lets hope there's not a celebrity endorsement around the corner, hey?  Gaga over Clarks? - well stranger things have happened.

Anthropologie, London

If you happened to be at the Rootstein party last Friday I think we jointly could have made quite a few of these from all the Champagne corks that were flying around that evening.  Although we not sure the outcome would have been quite that same as these incredible structures we found at Anthropologie along Regent st.  Either these guys have fabulous parties (and if so why aren't we invited?) or someone has bought a bulk load from somewhere.  Sadly I think the latter applies.  Anyway, as with their New York store this London store has additionally followed along the multiple cork effect to create these installations.  What is particularly interesting about them is the fact they have also been planted with the most gorgeous and delicate plants too.  Just superb.  Although, the bust forms that these guys use are just not right for this merchandise and we're not sure why they just don't use ones with articulated arms at least? 

Matches Fashion, London

Images Copyright and Courtesy of Matches Fashion

Wow, it really must be British Summer time now that Matches Fashion have launched their recently scheme. The latest offering from this brand is called  "Print, Colour, Clash [and] based on this season's Print trend taking inspiration from the work of Irina Graewe [and] featuring collections such as Suno, Missoni and Carven".  "The use of African textiles as head-dresses also accent the Tribal feeling [of these collections] which are used in conjunction with the vintage bust-forms from (our dear friends) at Proportion>London".  It really is great to see these boutiques make such an effort to grab our attention on the high street, particularly when so many multiple brands appear to have simply given up.  To us, Matches Fashion is screaming that they do care about what they do and that they do care about their presentation and about how we as the customer are nurtured from the high street into their stores.  See you there at 9.00am then? 

Mathew Williamson, London

We're always just that little bit disappointed with this store's visuals.  We don't know who does them and no-one ever contacts about what we say about them, and while we do love the thinking behind them, they just don't quite ever work?  We would have thought they would be a little more adventurous than they are considering the brand it is, although they just don't seem to get it right?  We love the hot air balloon concept, but when one sees how the ropes are attached and can be seen in full view, it really seems to kill the idea.  The lighting is rather ferocious too, whitewashing over the whole scheme.  A little bit of atmosphere would have helped at least.

Tory Burch, London

We've seen some incredible schemes from this brand, particularly in New York, however here in London everything seems to rather less adventurous.  Not that this is an awful scheme of course (although we hate Heart motifs), however, with just a little more effort it could have had the wow factor we are craving on the high street, perhaps by making this backdrop a whole lot bigger.  So, come on guys, lets see a little bit more excitement?

Salvatore Ferragamo, London

It was quite a welcome change to see this brand finally develop a new scheme after what seems years and years in the same format.  Its clear that Butterflies are still big in schemes as they seem to be everywhere right now.  We're not sure about the way this brand have handled their shoe presentation, however this could be to highlight how may you can squeeze and squeeze into a small space?  OK, we know that's not the case, its obviously highlighting an inherent quality in the product. Anyway, this scheme is a welcome change from the previous one.