Louis Vuitton, London

We've always waxed lyrical about this brands' presentation as of course it is one of the best in the world and the quality is second to, well probably only a few if anyone at all.  We are struggling to make sense of this one however as we're not entirely sure what the thinking is behind it although maybe we are just being slow to make the connections and need to dig a little deeper?

What is Visual Merchandising?

Visual merchandising puts the Art and Design back into retail; it also plays an important creative and commercial role in many fields including fashion, interiors, film, television, events and exhibitions.  As we know Visual merchandising adds enormous value to the business of retail and is often under estimated and over looked by many retailers yet is a vital part of the business itself.    Of course, Visual Merchandising by its very nature is dynamic, idiosyncratic, ephemeral, while de rigueur, promoting innovation, inspiration and creating aspiration. It can also be inordinate, and if used incorrectly is pointless and worse still, damaging to the brand. In our contemporary society it is important nonetheless that any brand consider all of the above (in conjunction of course with sustainability) in Visual Merchandising which may on occasion (if we are lucky enough not to work for a mind numbing global retailer where we have to install a one size fits all installation) be a little thought provoking, poke a bit of fun, amuse, entertain and challenge at least a little; is there any point in doing what we do otherwise and how much more ordinary do we really want our high streets to be?  Are we always going to worry or should we worry, in case we offend someone who has the time and luxury of being offended in the first instance?

We were rather bemused to find ourselves quoted in yesterday’s Daily Telegraph, link below

http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG10425444/Luxury-handbag-designer-rapped-after-putting-stuffed-ducklings-in-window-display-of-London-boutique.html

The article of course picks up on a few comments we made regarding the current (or possibly not any more) installation at Anya Hindmarch here in London (image above).  Why bemused we hear you ask? Well, this installation has clearly rattled the cages of an organisation, but we question, why at such a late stage?  Taxidermied animals (and skeletons, skulls and so on) have been used in store windows for well over a century as well as (God forbid) live ones. The use of live animals is thankfully rare with the exception of countries such as China although it does still on occasion happen here in the West; we have a photographic example below which we previously challenged.

G-star, London

Alexis Bittar, New York

Cire Trvdon, Paris

Mathew Williamson, London

Naturally, we are not in a position, nor would we wish to be, to defend the Anya Hindmarch brand; they clearly have their own salaried staff to do this.  However, we do believe that perhaps this raises the question of what is Art and what isn't?  What is Design and what isn't? (Indeed therefore, What is Visual Merchandising?  Please let us know as we are clearly all getting it wrong?). The article of course picks up the Hindmarch brand for their use of certain animal skins for their products; that's one issue. However, in the process both parties have also possibly determined our own Visual Merchandising agenda, in as much as the scheme may now change simply because an organisation have decided for us all that they don't agree with it; this is where we take issue. Please hold your nerve guys at the Anya Hindmarch brand and keep the scheme, we shouldn't be bullied by these organisations.  This is a great example of innovation, sustainability, dynamism and makes a rather dull high street look just that little more hopeful.

In the meantime, let’s just clarify……Art, not Art or cruelty?

Art, not Art or cruetly?

Art or just cruel use of live animals in a global brand in a sunny window.  Not so cute either, eh?  But where were you then?

Victorinox, London

Victorinox, London

Bershka, London

This brand just gets better and better visually, don't you think?  Raised from the usual generic high street window schemes into the arena which quite honestly, if the product wasn't so mass produced could be mistaken for one of the most innovative luxury brands, but in fact actually a whole lot more creative.  With their teasingly and strategically placed horizontal mirrors, creating a fantastic 'strip tease effect' we couldn't help but go and take a closer look.  Job, flipping well done here and making the luxe brands who are supposed to be leading this stuff look quite frankly rather bland.

Warehouse, London

We become more and more intrigued, surprised and delighted at the direction of this brand.  There is clearly someone innovative and exciting in position here now as they continue to amaze us with their breath of fresh air, not just wafted into this tired brand but with the full force of hurricane Jude-type proportions and we love it.  This time around we have an installation, The Haunting produced in collaboration with Anna Ackred which is the latest offering from these guys.  Please keep them coming guys, looking so good it fricking hurts and a welcome relief from the mass malaise of so much on the high street.

Tods, London

We're a little surprised to see this scheme again at Tods?  We saw this little gem during the Summer time and of course loved it but we're not sure why they changed to and then changed it back again to this?  Anyway, this is what is current.

Tezenis, London

Oh gawd, we don't know what this brand are doing.  In their prime and cripplingly expensive space at Oxford Circus we would have thought they would have 'pulled out all the stops' and honed in on the details to get this brand rocking.  Instead we have a confusing and cheap scheme which communicates that they don't appear to mind the damage that they are doing to themselves.  

French Connection, London

Well it looks like French Connection are beginning to turn things around, don't you think?  We love their new 'sketch' promotion which is a little risque for the high street but looks really cool.  We're guessing this is their Christmas scheme and so refreshing not to see the usual and obligatory Red, Green and sparkly stuff.  Finger crossed for these guys that their future is as bright, clean and fresh as this scheme.

Anya Hindmarch, London

If you happen to be along Bond street then do go and check out the new scheme at Anya Hindmarch right now.  This brand have comparatively small windows within which to work and their schemes don't always tend to photograph very well because of the heavy security grille behind.  However this little gem stopped us in our tracks while we dodged the pouring rain we've had.  A very talented taxidermist has woven their magic over these little ducklings as they look particularly good, and dare we say 'fresh' to help create this simple narrative.

Pull and Bear, London

We don't often find Halloween schemes here in London as everyone seems to skip from 'back to school' or London Fashion week etc. straight into Christmas.  Here at Pull and Bear, who incidentally do produce some great schemes which we often forget to include and have their latest offering beaming scarily on to the high street.   Great fun scheme and refreshing to see this event back on the calender.

John Lewis, London

Possibly the most talked about (and certainly written about) is the Christmas scheme at John Lewis right now.  If you thought this brand were stuck in a time long forgotten then you couldn't be more wrong.  These incredible creatures produced from everyday objects was produced in collaboration with the ever creative team at Chameleon and Billie Achilleos is quite a corker and how refreshing to see such innovation and a whole lot of fun on the high street again.  There is a VM God afterall. 

VM and Display Awards, 2013

If you happened to be at the VM and Display Awards on Friday then we're sure you had a fantastic time...!  This year was introduced by the fashion Designer Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of the fantastic Red or Dead and currently HemingwayDesign.   A huge congratulations to all the winners which included Urban Outfitters, Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, Ferrari, Topshop, House of Fraser, Topman, Hackett, Bentalls, Harrods, French Connection, Selfridges, Jaeger, Nike and Miss. Selfridge.

Ermenegildo Zegna, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright Elemental Design

If you happen to be anywhere near Harrods here in London any time soon then do go and have a look at the new Ermenegildo Zegna installation which celebrates the 50th anniversary of their Extra fine Wool trophy.  The installation tells the story of the process from raw material to completion leading the customer on a journey through the space.  The mannequins above are stood on this incredible bespoke glass and brass staircase complete with stunning large manufacturing cogs of varying sizes which communicate the process and are used to show some of their accessories.

Tods, London

Nothing amazingly revolutionary or entertaining but just a good old fashioned 'nice' scheme.  Large format graphics and product on tables in a step / pyramidal format.  It isn't going to rock the world or even raise a tiny smile; it just is.