Canali, London

We don't often see much creativity in menswear brands (with the exception of a few) and rarely here at Canali.  We love these out sized props in their masculine steel finish.  A big, big, big shiny tape measure in a menswear window; oh, what could it all possibly refer too...ah yes, that these guys probably offer bespoke suits, we're wryly guessing?  Of course, it is great to see this brand, who we know very little about, produce a creative scheme and be a little less ordinary on the high street and this is most welcome.

Issey Miyake, London

Is there any way of not loving what Issey Miyake does?  We are huge fans or this brands work although unfortunately some female call centre person from our bank here in London isn't it seems.  We're forever receiving phone calls about our expensive tastes and pay for the privileged of our bank writing to us telling us so.  We already know thanks.....bank who shall not be named.  We simply cant resist walking past here without a little peruse and that's OK, right?  With their fabulous light installation we are drawn in ever more, like little moths to a flame.  Damn you Visual Merchandising you got us again.  In the meantime, Julie at 'Natwest', please stop calling - you freaky stalker with your crimpline uniform and no appreciation of fantastic design.  We promise not to hide behind the sofa each time you call and pretend that we aren't in - honest.

Diane Von Furstenberg. London

There is a little high pitched squeaky buttock clenching going on when we walk past this brand, although this scheme does actually photograph rather well don't you think?  You're probably wondering why we would even say anything vaguely derogatory in that case?  Well,  all of the 'components' are there, and besides the mannequins appearing as if they are in a police line up it does actually look quite fun.  We do love the cartoon-like back wall in this semi-enclosed space although the dynamics are not quite there and everything is placed as if someone is attempting to fill out the space rather than use it strategically.  That said, whether deliberate or not, we do think that putting the products on the pedestals is good fun; even if they (whoever 'they' are) haven't realised the connotation and denotation of what they have produced.  

Mathew Williamson, London

We've been huge fans of Kyle Bean's work since we spotted it ages ago in Selfridges windows.  On this occasion an interesting collaboration is now in place at Mathew Williamson's store in Mayfair here in London.  Anyway, with this year long collaboration which will evolve throughout the seasons and change every two months we cant wait to see what they do next.  This store is not always known for its innovative Visual Merchandising (the product of course is superb), however the mannequins always look as if they have argued with each other and haven't changed in three years (at least) and the installations always appear as they are an after thought or a sticky plaster on the wound of bad visual merchandising.  Come on guys, closer groupings and bigger statements.  We love Kyle Bean's work so lets do it justice?

Tiffany, London

Can it really be Spring time already?  Its freezing cold, plants are still dormant (or dead here in Europe) but as usual the luxe brands are way ahead of everything and not only predicting the future but telling us how its going to be.  Clever stuff this.  We just wish that we could take a peak into their crystal balls; Oh you know what we mean, cheeky.  Anyway, here at Tiffany we have a fantastic view into their usual fantasy micro world of doll house proportions.  These amazing perspectives wouldn't look out of place in a microscopic version of Downton Abbey, minus the mini-me Angela Lansbury trying to flog the blu rays to you in the U.S. on a perpetual loop of course.  

Illamasqua, London

This brand seem to work so incredibly hard to get themselves on the fashion 'map' and we really like this about them.  They also always present their products so incredibly well.  For such a new..ish brand (in the greater scheme of things) it must be so tough working in this part of the industry with so many massive global competitors.  However, we've seen their presentations even in such areas as the Middle East so they are clearly doing something right and their presentations look fantastic too.

Gola, London

We've been seeing more and more collaborations between brands over the past few years and this is an interesting one, don't you think?  Who would have thought that the fantastic Liberty and sporty Gola would team up to produce a product?  We saw this type of collaboration previously with Dr. Martens which looked super cool and of course H&M have done loads of work with the likes of Versace, Margiela, Lanvin etc, and this is an interesting trend moving forward.  We'll keep our eyes peeled for some additional collaborations and share them as we find them.  

Godiva, London

Here we go go again, strap yourselves in and baton down the hatches, Easter is nearly here.  Just like Christmas schemes Easter installations are in place well in advance of the event itself.  We're not particularly keen on this brand, but we do love the giant suspended Chocolate egg.  That's all there is to say about what these guys are doing.  Sigh.

Esprit, London

This is a surprisingly interesting scheme from Esprit, don't you think?  We are pleased to see that the repetition of mannequins in an ordinary-space-days appear to be far behind this brand and, well, hands up, these guys are so interesting and really working hard for your 'bucks'.  We like that.  With their train station-style installation all painfully crafted (probably on a budget but that's OK, right? - no, not really) these guys have delivered a fun, interesting and less than ordinary scheme with minimal cost.  We know very well how hard it is to do these things and we wish that the accounts departments of these types of brands would just leave the creative  teams to get on with the job and support them in producing lavish schemes; no chance of that happening.  Sadly the boys (and females) possibly in Grey suits just love to feel cool and privy to the party.  Sometimes, we have to work the floor and just let them think that they are, even if we know otherwise, right?

Ralph Lauren, London

Gorgeous Spring / Summer colours are slipping into schemes around London right now which is a welcome relief from either Easter or winter installations.  Thankfully also, the holiday season is creeping up on us (a little quicker would be nice of course) so this beautifully presented scheme at RL is just what we need to see.

VM & Display Show, 2013

Have you registered yet for the VM & Display Show yet?  No? Then what are you waiting for?  Just click on the image above and complete the pro forma and the guys will do the rest (it takes a few seconds).  So cu'mon lets get on with it, eh?

L.K.Bennett, London

We're loving this Pink at L.K. Bennett right now.  With such a large window and comparatively small product, good old L.K. have got this absolutely right.  So often we see these vast window spaces with tiny product placed inside which are completely lost in the vastness of space.  What these guys have done is to hone the customers lazy-21st-century-tech-savvy-blasted-with-to-much-information-constantly-eyes in on the product without actually blocking the whole window space out.  So, lets appreciate the thinking behind this and go and have a look at this simple yet perfectly applied technique? 

Browns, London

We haven't been to have a look at South Molton street here in London's west end for months and months.  We were actually looking for a particular French Chocolatier but it seems sadly that a lot of the small stores have moved out and there are a couple of empty stores along this street currently.  This is a shame.  But anyway, we love Browns and what they are up to right now.  The scheme is a little disjointed but they have had a go which counts for something.  In one window we have this 'favela' inspired scheme with a large format graphic and these little houses.  The colour's look great although the execution is a little dubious.  Just next door the neon and the props look fantastic and great fun.  Its a shame that this semi-open space couldn't accommodate those horrible wires but then as this fantastic boutique have actually done something to entice us in (and we imagine the rents here for spaces is horrendous) so we cant be too harsh and these schemes were a pleasure to view regardless.