Hong Kong

Images Copyright Angel Ko

Our wonderful contact Angel Ko, has very kindly sent us images of the latest luxury brand schemes installed at their Hong Kong stores.  It really is fascinating how these brands implement the same schemes around the world and yet quite sad that there is no apparent differentiation.  Why leave home any more?  These brands do what they do so incredibly well of course and we are very fortunate that we are able to view what is happening elsewhere although we cant help feeling that shopping journeys would be so much more interesting if localised creative approaches were considered, dont you think? 

Miu Miu, London

We came across this scheme at Miu Miu a few weeks ago, but only now just had the opportinuty to include it here.  This is probably one of the best schemes that this brand has implemented here at this store in London by far, and pure simplicity.  With its Blackened backdrop of semi-flashing images (which can only really be appreciated in reality) we have some great ingredients here for an interesting scheme. 

Moschino, London

Wow, Winter really must be on its way when we view schemes like this.  We have to admit, that we haven't always been fans of what this brand does, although it does have a certain style to it.  With its cartoon-like Penguins and faux rocks ('that they got') it does at the very least light up a drab part of Conduit st.

Prada, London

We really love the references to the nostalgic trend currently at the Prada store.  With its life-sized section of an aeroplane in a Gold finish, how could we not love this?  Of course, if we look back to New York in the 1970's we can find very similar examples of aeroplanes being used in window schemes. Or at least plane crashes.  One example that we have come across recently was at a particular NYC store that also used an actress in the window of the staged aeroplane crash who intermittently would run up and down the aisle screaming in panic (as part of the performance).  Of course this had its limitations due to the stamina or lack off the particular actress used.  Why does no-one do these kinds of things any longer?

Max Mara, London

We do have to mention, that whatever this brand do, it is almost always done with incredible sophistication, don't you think?  We often look at this particular store along Bond St. and while its not always the most creative place to look, it is always very well produced.  We seem to remember that this scheme (above) was implemented during Vogue Fashion's night out a few weeks ago, so maybe its time for a nudge to the next scheme?

Mathew Williamson, London

We haven't included this brand for quite some time although we have been willing them to do something rather more exciting than they have for while.  OK, well of course the merchandise is stunning and the most wonderful colours, but the schemes are, well, just rather dull, don't you think?  The same mannequins in virtually the same positions are used over and over again.  Cu'mon guys, lets see some effort and entertain us, pretty please?

McQueen, London

We haven't ventured all the way down to this end of Bond st. for some weeks now, only really because so much else has been happening every where else on the high street.  However, as usual this brand remains one of our top favourites and this scheme of course oozes the usual sophistication that we have come to expect from this brand.  With its delicate lighting, floor to ceiling mirrors and apparently free-standing mannequins,  these are incredibly difficult window spaces to use because of the illuminated glass  floor, however it looks like the Uber talented Laurent @McQueen has tamed the beast once again and produced yet another incredible scheme.  Windows spaces like this are very difficult to use, and yet look how beautifully they have been produced. 

Etro, London

We haven't always been kind about this brands' schemes, however, this one is a little winner.  What is interesting about this scheme for us, is, how the graphic picks up on the colour from the merchandise (or vice versa?).  We also do love these kinds of illustrative architectural drawings.  What is not quite clear is why this store is still open when they have moved almost directly across the street to a new site? We're sure there must be method in the madness somewhere.

Chanel, London

Oh VM God help us, please?  Strangely this is probably the best scheme we have seen in many, many, many years from this brand.  While the concept is actually really good fun and could have been oh-so-good, the execution leaves a lot to be desired, don't you think?  We know what you are thinking.....'oh the guys from retailstorewindows are ranting again about this brand'......although, you know of course, that we like to tell it like it is and.....well, how wrong does this brand get it?  Enough ranting, we'll let you make your own minds up about what you are looking at here.  Although, we are, as ever, very surprised that a luxury brand allows this to happen.

Daks, London

This is certainly the best scheme we've seen from Daks in ages and absolutely on trend.  We love these old cameras and of course have used them ourselves at the beginning of the year on a Museum project we produced.  Original box brownies and Cherry wood cameras were incredibly delightful to handle and treasure.  Of course we have references here to the nostalgia trend that we can view at various schemes around town right now and certainly a big thumbs up to these guys.

Fendi, London

Isn't this the best scheme ever from Fendi?  We came across it recently in a publication but only had time to glance at it so made a bee-line to the store the other evening to take a closer look.  We weren't sure what they were going to do when they moved from their former store across the road, but how cool do they look, hey?  These installations by Meret Probst and Lola Lely are another fantastic example of Art meet Visual merchandising.  With moving coloured belts (image above, which cant really be appreciated in a still image) this really is a magical scheme.   In the second window, clear glass vessels contain coloured liquids which appear to drip down the threads onto the merchandise below.   A stunning installation from this brand.

Bvlgari, London

How beautiful are these windows hey?  Bvlgari are not always the most innovative in their window schemes but these ones certainly are a corker.  With these stunning concertinaed structures in (almost) monochromatic tones, these certainly drew us in to take a closer look.  OK, well we're never going to buy anything here but looking is free and we appreciate beautiful things.  We don't know who produced them, but hey, they certainly look amazing.  Used in conjunction with the surrounding grand wallpaper and a visual of a beautiful model (who naturally woke up like that this morning), it really does ooze the quality that this brand is.

Tent, London 2011

Did you go to Tent 2011 in East London this year?  If you didn't then here's a little snapshot of what you missed.  From some of the coolest movers and shakers in the Design industry we've been looking out for some of the latest trends, materials and concepts before they happen on the high street.  These incredible 1m sq feathered structures, for example, by Louise Greenfield and the mirror and wood screen (below) by Lee Borthwick were definitely at the top of our list.  Of course, the creative use of neon is always a pleasure to view too and it looks like these printing block trays are becoming rather more popular (and could also be found at 100% across the other side of town amongst other places that we've been looking)