Suit Supply, London

We have passed this store on many occasions but have never really looked that closely at it.  If you're in to suits, then I guess Suit Supply might be a place that you may want to check out?  Situated just off Saville Row and a stones throw from that Californian dystopia by the name of Aber....   oh you know the one, Suit Supply grabbed our attention momentarily for two reasons.  Initially, the mannequins here appeared to be a high gloss Orange (tango-d) version of the Blue Man group, and secondly and most importantly we caught a glimpse of that sly revenge fantasy of male impotence - the graphic behind.  Clearly this is staunchly heterosexual male territory? (Because Gay men dont wear suits, right?)  On the right hand side of the graphic we have the erect nippled tanned female and on the left we initially thought this was a male figure with moobs, however, on closer inspection it appears to be another, albeit nipple-less female.  Both figures are clearly placed in sexually provocative positions as if the vacant and clearly detached male in a suit jacket is God-like and to be worshipped by these tanned nipple-erect and nipple-less females? (we dont agree that this should ever be portrayed and we would never support this thinking, in fact, quite the reverse).  Laughably (and a clear signifyer of male ignorance) quite oddly, the way the graphic has been so badly cut, the image appears as if  the male in the centre of the image is actually sat on a high chair and has very feminine closed legs daintily crossed at the ankles.  The call to action in the text "Like Skin" doesnt seem to live up to the merchandise dressed on the mannequins.  Would you really want your skin to hang so badly?  We really wanted to like this store but sadly the thinking of this brand seems to represent the size of the space it has - tiny.  Just keep walking to either Bond St. or Regent st. on your way through this pass-through street..  

Daks, London

We were forced to stop and view the latest installation from Daks this week while on our travels.  Large panels covered in (probably a few thousand) pearl-like buttons form two crowns as the backdrop to the product. We're always interested in whats happening out there on the high street, and particularly trying to understand how the 'visual' can be interpreted and the meanings behind how the 'visual' can possibly be read as having.  OK, well one could argue that good old W&C are not King and Queen just yet and and the images do have a bit of the 'Cor-blimey-Guv'nor-knees-up-mother-Brown' about it, particularly as pearl buttons have been used.   However, we do strangely really like it (if that actually means anything), its been beautifully produced, we screeched to a halt to record it and it captures the emotion of the pending occasion quite beautifully.  We don't always appreciate what this brand produce visually, but this time, hands up, job well done we think.

Regent Street, London

Its all hotting up here in the City of London right now that one cant help feeling that there must be a pending Royal Wedding?  Even with our own cynical minds we felt a strange odd pang of pride to be British while walking along an albeit 2011 version of a street scene reminiscent of post-war (1945) Regent street (only in glorious colour, less the techni).  These images are the kind of ones we will reflect on and maybe think "Oh yes, I remember the wedding,.....ohhh... and all those flags on Regent St".  Strangely, these images already look incredibly dated and poor Mrs. Middleton must have been sewing from the Berkshire pad, literally for England and for months.  Photoshop-ing out the cabs and the people, one might feel that one has just stepped onto a film set or did World War II just end?  If you are British and reading this, wouldn't it (strangely) be wonderful to see these kinds of sights more often?  We have finally reclaimed the Union flag back from the less than savoury political wings that paraded it (it seems particularly from the Thatcher years onwards) with such dubious pride and for so long?  We loved this sense of British pride on seeing this view in the heart of retail-land, however we just wish we could see this or these kinds of things  more often?  Sadly, these buildings/street rarely do anything interesting, so just don't get us started on who actually owns them?  Think old lady, big crown, lives in a council house and goes by the name of Liz.

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?