Veley, Panama

We been scouring this whole mall for innovative ideas and presentations and this particular store drew us in.  We think the brand is called 'Veley' but it could be 'Viley'?  Anyway, we've never seen this one before so it was great to view a local brand in a local place; move over globalisation.  Here we have essentially a shoe brand which is making things so interesting.  We loved the references to its heritage, the manufacturing process and the presentation itself certainly wasn't the most offensive, but ultimately it what was very interesting is to view a brand which at least is trying to make things a little less ordinary and we like that.

Hermes, Panama

We eventually found the luxury 'zone' here at the multiplex in Panama city and directly opposite the LV store and their spider installation which we featured here a while ago is Hermes.  With their little swimmers this scheme is great fun, particularly the miniatures diving into the crockery and the store itself is quite spectacular having a huge presence in this ultra modern mall.

Renuar, Panama

We've never seen this brand before and not entirely sure if this is simply a one-off site here at the Multi-plex mall in Panama city?  Anyway, they clearly make an effort and we really quite like these 'scrabble-like' letters spelling out key words.  These mannequins would have looked even better if they had been 'wired' rather than on the steel base plates of course, and why does everyone place them as if they have argued with each other?  Think magazine photo shoot guys or some kind of narrative?

Desigual, Panama

We like a great Desigual store as these guys always seem to make such an effort, don't you think?  Its a little bit of a shame that they haven't got their mannequin groupings correct here though as it would have had far more impact.  Cu'mon guys, mannequins in groups of 3 and 2 so they don't all look like they are in a police line up and some good use of plinths to get some height?

Bling Bar @Hard Rock, Panama

If you weren't at the post Congresso Internacional Visual Merchandising event in Panama this week, then where were you?  The Panamanian glitterati and fashionista were out in force and the party read like a who's who of the movers and shakers in this amazing city.  I did manage to capture just a few (well quite a few) hilariously funny moments with the very famous Guatemalan TV presenter Alejandra Guzman (she wont thank me for saying that of course...but I'm just teasing....although she is..!) who so graciously agreed to be my human 'mannequin' on stage earlier in the day and a grateful thanks to my US and Mexican colleagues and friends Scott, Linda, Bart and Humberto who made the event and whole experience so remarkable.  Enormous thanks particularly of course to Pedro and Ana Brolo for a truly visionary world class visual merchandising event; Latin America is rocking and certainly a place to watch for some very interesting and very vibrant pockets of inspiration.  We will be showing you what we find here over the coming week.

Printemps, Paris

Printemps are certainly rocking the colour right now and their very simple homeware looks very similar to the kind of installation we often see at Selfridges back in London.  OK well Selfridges would do it all even better but you know what we mean.  We've been very pleasantly surprised with the level of work here in Paris and there have been some truly excellently produced visual merchandising schemes which we have never seen before in this city.  We'll be back soon we're sure.  Next stop is Guatemala and on to Panama.  We have no idea what to expect from that part of the world but hopefully we will have some incredible schemes to share with you.

Lancel, Paris

WTF is going on here at Lancel?  We don't recognise this brand as a global player so well done in a way for making an effort we guess?  But, jeez, VM gawd 'elp us.  What are they doing?  We had to do a double take when we came across this as we couldn't quite work out what they were doing but it appears to be several ceiling roses with roses in between and handbags on shelves, on a ceiling.     Truly bizarre stuff really.

Galeries Lafayette, Paris

Clearly demonstrating the qualities of Lycra was a determining factor for the team here at Galeries Lafayette with this installation, although it does appear to have a rather sinister and skin-like feel to this scheme don't you think?  If that was the intention then job well done although we have been having nightmares after viewing this little corker which simply reminds us of a scene from Hellraiser.  Maybe its  just our vivid imaginations?

D-Squared, Paris

Thankfully the Rue St. Honore provides us with a sanctuary whenever we come across a bad scheme as most of the retailers here really do make an effort; well most are luxury brands so one would expect to see interesting schemes here we suppose?  Anyway, we have just realised that we have never included D-squared in our entries previously and this scheme with its possibly unintentional references to Gaga actually is more interesting in the flesh (so to speak). 

Printemps, Paris

Some of the best windows we have seen here in Paris have to be the ones at Printemps right now.  The colours used have been carefully thought through and these head pieces are really quite stunning. Someone here understands colour very well and this department store is definitely shining very brightly.

Mango, Paris

If you have seen the Stanley Kubrick film 'Eyes Wide Shut' then you will know immediately what we are alluding to here.  Just plain old creepy stuff going on here at Mango.  All the dynamics are in place of course and they do what they do very well.  Its just creepy though.

Space NK Apothecary, London

Wow, Space NK have really gone to town on their Chelsea Flower show installation haven't they?  These incredible flower covered three dimensional props look quite sensational and so well produced too.  Even on the outside of the store the brand have produced these free standing structures filled with and covered in flowers.  Its still a bit cloudy and dull here in London but this really lifted our spirits and hopefully our one day of Summer sunshine may actually happen some day soon.

L.K.Bennett, London

It must be Chelsea Flower Show this week then.  All along the Kings Road here in London so many of the brands have embraced this famous event and installed schemes in celebration.  We love it when brands make an effort as so many events have been lost over the years due to ever tighter purse strings.  Need shoes to match your flowers then pop down to L.K.Bennett.