Victorinox Brand Damage, London

These poor little guys are being used completely for our entertainment and in order to promote a product.  Plastic, metal and leather (?) in an environment which is so incredibly sensitive to these poor fellas.  We are absolutely appalled.  We photographed this just a few hours ago and want to communicate how obnoxious some brands can be in order to communicate a message.  Victori-obnoxious re-home these little boys and be rather more creative and original?

Bally, London

Bally are taking such an interesting direction and we love this new installation that we spotted a couple of weeks ago.  Laser cut materials are clearly on trend right now as we've seen similar links at places such as Tory Burch.  Anyway, the colours and tones are wonderful, the craftsmanship is incredible, but what is it with this fricking goat again?  Come on guys drop this goat fetish; it looks dreadful, appears to have nothing to do with the brand? (unless you tell us otherwise) and completely jars with this installation.  We're guessing this is the influence of the dead hand of marketing and PR interfering again with the creativity of the Visual Merchandising department just so that they can tick a box.  OK, box ticked, get it out now?

Victorinox, London

It is very rare indeed to see live animals in retail store windows in the 21st Century.  Sure in China this is a common occurrence, but then regulations are rather more archaic and sensitivity to animals' well being is often seriously overlooked.  Thankfully as we are now in the Autumn season, sunlight is rather lacking here in London (window spaces become very hot in sunlight), however this doesn't excuse the use of live exotic fish (which are particularly sensitive) in a tank in a window on Bond street here in London with several metallic watches placed around them.  Down right cruel and unnecessary - no matter what the brand may tell us.  While we anticipate a lil 'ole e-mail explanation from Victorinox's PR and / or marketing departments sometime soon (as we often do from so many brands), the bottom line is guys that you are being cruel to animals in the UK for the sake of a product promotion and this is not acceptable.  This is an easy, obvious and unoriginal solution to demonstrate a products qualities.  If the company were truly creative the use of live exotic fish would not be necessary.
Ultimately, if we say nothing then who will?  No-one.  We also expect to see this scheme removed as a matter of urgency...............we're watching and waiting Victorinox.

Incidentally, the finish is also awful.

Brooks Brothers, London

It must be that back to school time.  We love the humour and the St. Trinians-esq references to those now seemingly halcyon days of yesteryear.  Its a long time since we left school (only to return to it years later..! and yes, we still get that Sunday night feeling)  Anyway, with all the typical references placed here amongst the 'preppy' look that this brand appear to ooze, this is great fun and communicates to a wider audience.  Job done.

VM and Display Awards, 2012

Image Courtesy and Copyright Lara Balbaligo

Congratulations to all of the winners at the VM & Display Awards, 2012.  A wonderful and great fun evening had by all.

Armani, London

We pass these windows quite frequently and rarely stop to take a closer look as usually what is presented is so incredibly dull.  However, we do love this multi-layered image placed here to support the product.  We aren't doing somersaults or cartwheels over the mannequins that the brand has chosen to use to present their product and they are literally always placed in the same positions.  Still, womens wear products look incredible even if menswear doesn't; but cool graphic anyway.

Smythson, London

Smythson are clearly working incredibly hard to turn their windows around and we have to say, these do look very cool.  We adore the video on the screen here with the White liquid being poured into the product and spilling over - great fun;  and the colours here are quite superb.  There are few tweaks that we would have added, such as not having such a clunky big box to contain it all and the plinths are a little oddly placed.  However, when seen with your own eyes this does actually work very well and does make the product look very desirable.

Liberty, London

How much fun is this window at Liberty, eh?  We love these old (repro) Speed Queen washing machines.  Every detail has been considered right down to the dials on the machine.  Probably another indication of how obsessive we all are in this industry.  Even the merchandise in its jumbled mess is beautifully placed.  Another little winner of a window scheme we think.

Chloe Exhibition, Paris

Images Courtesy and Copyright La Rosa

Celebrating 60 years in the biz, the incredible Fashion House Chloe has recently launched this must-see exhibition at the Plais de Tokyo in Paris.  Sadly we wont have the opportunity to see it for ourselves and would you believe.....apparently its free...!  What more could you ask for, eh?  So get ya'self on the Eurostar, go and have a look then let us know all about it?  The exhibition called 'Chloe Attitudes' is open until November 18th.  (Mannequins are supplied by La Rosa http://www.larosaitaly.com ) 

Harvey Nichols, London

If you have the opportunity then do swing by Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge this week and check out their latest scheme.  It really is quite stunning.  The scheme has large vinyl images of animals covering the majority of the fenestration and in between them all we have these stunningly dressed mannequins.  We love it.

Benetton, London

We've seen lots of references to Birds of Prey around town recently so we are guessing this is one of the current trends on the high street right now.  We will keep you posted with the recent developments from the other mass brands and see if we can make some links here. 

Hermes, London

This is a very interesting scheme here at Hermes, which did bring a huge smile to our faces.  After all, how many combinations of scarves, belts and handbags can one show?  There are of course infinite ways, however we love the 'Nora Batty' and 'Hilda Ogden-esq' references here (apologies those of you in Asia and stateside for the in-joke here).  Although probably not intentional, it is great fun to see the human side to a luxury brand and that they have a sense of humour. 

Max Mara, London

The colour being used at Max Mara on the back walls is quite stunning don't you think?  Its actually a lot lighter than our images suggest actually more Turquoise.  With the use of these silver metallic pillars behind the mannequins which are placed very simply in a repetition format it really is quite a delicious presentation.