Fashion Retail:Future Directions

If you missed the opening of Fashion Retail:Future Directions last night then here's a little snapshot for you.  'Looking at the future trends of retail design, concept stores, gallery-like retail environments, the project explores the trend in complimentary curation of retail spaces and builds on the existing strong relationship between fashion, art, design and architecture'.  'The exhibition presents the various stages of design development through to completion and maps out the entire journey to the final outcome exhibited here'.  So go on, take the afternoon off and pop down to Viabizzuno inlondra, 122, Great Titchfield Street, London and see this gem for yourself. 

Calvin Klein, London

We're becoming more and more drawn to old CK here on Regent street.  We  loved the Sale window; very simple and great light installation.  This isn't the most creative brand where window schemes are concerned apart from the NYC mega store which we always make a bee-line for whenever we visit that incredibly exciting city, but this store here in London is doing something right which is elevating it above their usual ordinary schemes.

DKNY, London

We're not entirely sure how we feel about this scheme at DKNY?  The security grille is so distracting that it would definitely have been better to have a closed backed space to these windows, don't you think?  We understand the scheme and we can see the references to New York and in isolation this is perfectly OK (we would put a bit of both windows props in each of course).  But, anyway, the little Dogs and signage are beautifully made.

Louis Vuitton, London

Just around the corner from Harvey Niks is the gorgeous Louis Vuitton scheme on Sloane street.  How stunning is this scheme?  Shiny Sliver typewriters and a flying manuscript........we certainly know how this feels right now with our pending book.  Day after day and night after night we've been chained to our computers, but, just so that you know, it will be launched in August this year.  We will of course send out gentle reminders in the meantime.

Harvey Nichols, London

If you happen to be in the Knightsbridge area of London then do go and visit the windows at Harvey Niks.  In this prolonged period of austerity and with references to sustainability mixed with huge doses of glamour, we cant help but just love what these guys do.  Branches and cardboard lined windows with fabulously glamorous mannequins in the latest luxury fashions, this store continues to be one of favorite places to go shopping (well, look really if the truth was known..!....but then looking is free) in the world.

Alessi, London

Oh Alessi, you've let the side down.  You guys produced a fantastic Jubilee scheme last Summer time and looked great at Christmas.  But, come on guys show us more than hearts on a fricking tree, eh?  You've been clever with your product on previous occasions but we're not drawn in by this one.  Really?

Camper, London

How cool is this presentation at Camper?  We love these large brush-like structures for this product which just makes everything look just that little but more enticing, interesting and so much less ordinary, don't you think?

Agent Provocateur, London

If you're not yet entirely sure what you are going to do for your Valentine's celebrations, then why not have 'Adventures in Lingerie'? We can't imagine ourselves slipping into these little 'scratchy' numbers at our local Supermarket petrol station somehow, although stranger things have happened.  Its a shame that these mannequins look a little disheveled, 'done' or 'had' as this always appears to be such a glamorous brand and the 'two hookers holding a petrol (or gas if you are reading this stateside) pump nozzle in such a suggestive way makes these mannequins in this scenario appear more 'up for it' rather than sexy.  Maybe its someones fantasy, just not ours.  If ya know wha' we mean...;o) 

Church's, London

Do Church's actually sell these Golden shoes?  With metallic's rife around town right now (just look at Burberry), these lil' pups just work perfectly, don't they?  Men's shoe presentation is always so dull in comparison to the fantastic shoe lounges, shoe bars and shoe experiences that females have the whole fantasy bubbly spa experience of loveliness to choose from while males are left with the Grey, Black, Brown and the occasional colour (if you happen to be a sensitive male) to select from.  Cutting through it all.....thank goodness for Church's right now leading the way into the light of interesting presentation and fantastic product.  Finally.

Gucci, London

We love the latest scheme at Gucci right now, how cool is this brand looking?  The product itself is supported by these ever-so-slightly-Manga referenced cartoon images in dynamic poses.  That's all there is to say about it really, but it does look cool, don't you think?

Smythson, London

Wow, how crisp, clean and wonderfully illuminated does Smythson look right now?  As nearly everyone is gearing up for Valentines Day, thankfully this is one of the brands that are not completely plastered with heart motifs, but instead with beautiful product, all perfectly placed and surrounded with these Love letter props. Very elegantly and tastefully produced we thought.

American Apparel, Tokyo

As most of you know, we're not big fans of heart motifs (or motifs in general) however we've been kindly sent these images of this scheme in Japan and wanted to share it with you as this is an interesting way of communicating the dreaded Valentines promotion without the mass of Red cut out heart motifs. The merchandise is hung behind these (we guess vinyl) eyes communicating the theme without being so horrendously obvious.  Great one Lena and thanks for sharing these with us.

Hugo Boss, London

How gorgeous is this colour Blue here at Hugo Boss?  It reminds us of that incredible Viktor and Rolf catwalk show from a few years ago where videos were projected onto the fashion as the models strutted their stuff.  We're not big fans of this awful nautical trend that appears to be happening around town right now, but at least this scheme is more swimming pool than seafaring malarkey.