Salvatore Ferragamo, London

We're not always gripped by what this brand does as there's never really anything exciting coming from these windows on Bond street here in London.  However, this scheme does provide us with a good example of one of the product handling dynamics which is often hard to reference.  Gravity.  Essentially this refers to product which has been suspended.  Anyway, adding a little something a bit more interesting would have drawn us in sooner although we are desperately dodging in between Sales schemes and the dreaded yet inevitable pending heart motifs which will soon cover most of the West End.  So needs must.

Belstaff, London

As everything becomes digital around us it is so interesting to see schemes such as this one at Belstaff referencing what is quite a nostalgic technique.  Its not quite an animatronic scheme but there is clearly a motor placed inside this window in order to drive this huge propeller   We haven't seen this technique for quite some time so it is quite refreshing.  We're not sure whether everything will revert back to 'oscillations and indexing' or even retailers adopting those turntables from retail of yesteryear, but then stranger things have happened.

Hermes, London

We are beginning to see the emergence of one of the key trends this year; Horses.  Rocking, hobby, possibly stuffed? but they are coming.  How stunning does Hermes look in all its simplicity?  The colours are incredible, we already know that the product is exceptional beyond belief and all presented in this short narrative scheme.  The narrative of course is whatever we want it to be.  

Clarks, London

Its freezing cold here in London and even though there's snow and ice on the ground we've been out there looking at what you have all be up to.  Well, would ya look at Clarks, eh?  Thankfully new schemes are gradually filtering through and in such blinding colour too (well here anyway).  If ever there was a need to bring something exciting that doesn't refer to Valentine's then its now.  We have seen a few gems out there which we will be sharing with you all week.

Tiffany, London

We recorded this scheme at Tiffany so soon after it was installed that the jewellery was actually still swinging. That's not something we see often.  Anyway, we do love the colour used here and these gorgeous wire structures;  they are a little reminiscent of the kind of thing that those guys in tourist areas make that spell out your name and who is also usually stood next to the guy that sells spray painted space images or the garishly coloured rubber men that these traders throw at the nearest window while we all stand amazed at it making its sticky way, hands, feet, hands, feet down the glazing or maybe the guys who sells the 'real' leather belts who run a lighter up and down it to prove it to you just in case you were in doubt.  Naturally this is rather more sophisticated.

Godiva, London

Gawd, is it nearly that time of year yet again.  Just as we get over that Christmas malaise and the bonkers clearance period, off we go heading full speed to the next major retail event.  The evil that is Valentines Day. Its not that we are against love between people, its just this bloody awful heart motif makes our skin crawl.  Why oh why cant the retail industry think of something a little more interesting and something less ordinary?  We are scouting around trying to find something a little more innovative but there really is no hope, is there?  

Levis, London

Now this is an interesting installation at Levi's.  Sale schemes are always so difficult to make interesting but thankfully the guys here have come up with a simple yet effective solution that gets it all so right.  We love these banners made up of multiple pieces of denim with just that brand signage blocked in the Levi's Red and so powerful and so recognised that it doesn't even need the brand name on it.  

Burberry, London

Oh those savvy guys at Burberry have hit it absolutely on the mark with this campaign.  You clever things.  Our first reaction was, Oh gawd, not a mini-me-becks and we were rather clenching our buttocks as we passed by.  Do we really need yet another vacuous celebrity?  That said, of course, we know this is 'genius' and they have got it all so right (but do we really have to suffer another one?, really?).  The images and scheme of course look great but gawd that family are so bloody irritating.

Can YOU help? Jessops, UK

Image Copyright Lanza Martineta

When the going gets tough, the tough are left out in the cold.  Another sad story of clearly hard working staff hung out to dry.  80 years of brand heritage gone.  Through the power of the window, these guys have offered their services to the world out there.  We know you 'the world' read this site as we check our stats and goodness knows it reads like a who's who of brands globally from luxe to value to independent.  So come on, do something worthwhile other than peddle your wares to us and lets get these guys back in the retail 'saddle'.  If we say nothing, who will?  Follow the story here:  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2262801/Relief-Jessops-employees-stuck-pictures-shop-window-stunt-leads-job-offers-firm-orders-display.html  We will no doubt be in trouble for this, but then if you read out 10 Commandments of Visual Merchandising 2013.....its just the mid-life crisis kicking in.

Myla, London

This brand oozes luxury and shines like a beacon of hope.  We love what they do, we crave each installation and we love the experience of finding the next next one.  Oh no wait.  No, not love.  The other one.  Harrowing.  Copper mesh bra's, oh dear.  They may be shiny but this scheme is not saying luxury to us and there is no hope.  Get yourself a copy of the book Brahaus and lets see some fun here, eh?

Asprey, London

We love the narratives behind the products which have been created here.  We're not huge fans of brand spanking new products as we do like things to have some kind of history behind  them which makes them just that little bit more interesting, don't you think?  Vintage is one of our favourite....would one say angle?  or perspective?  As its not a movement or period?  But anyway,  we do love to surround ourselves with things which are either useful of beautiful and to wonder who owned something previously and what kind of life it may have had before us.  Well, Asprey have created these wonderful one liners around the products which give a fantastic sense of 'story' that we just cant help but want to step in and buy ourselves a little something gorgeous. 

Alexander McQueen, London

We haven't seen masses of creativity oozing from the windows of this brand recently, although the merchandise is so incredibly delicious, why fight with it?  The product of course is always so stunning and we love the details on the mannequins here.  Beautifully sculptural and of course works in perfect harmony with the panelled background and illuminated flooring.  Wonderful.

 

Esprit, London

We really quite like this Sale scheme at Esprit right now with its 'loft apartment' feel about it.  Gone are the usual piles of stuff that no-one wanted but bought anyway simply 'because it was a bargain' and here we have a rather more grown up scheme and rather more sophisticated installation, simply and effectively produced we think, don't you?