Karen Millen, London; Guest Post by Jodie Oram

Karen Millen’s current window on Regent Street is very beautiful and almost ethereal. Although it may not be the boldest of windows, it does not need to be, as it has been executed exceptionally well with real skill and craftmanship. The forms and shapes that have been created with this installation are incredible and work brilliantly with the subtlety of the mannequins. A really exceptional window from the Karen Millen brand.  A video of this scheme can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnmsM6cCWIs

jodieoram@outlook.com
Installation by Mamou-Mani Architects

Hackett, London

If you happen to be along Regent street soon then do go and check out the new Hackett store.  If you weren't at the launch on Friday then where were you?  This brand new shiny store clearly is their flagship and considering the short time that this changed, mercifully from the old Ferrari store in  collaboration with those lovely boys at Harlequin Design to the latest Hackett store is quite spectacular.  If you want to swing by for a fabulous G+T with ice and something magical that they do to them then grab yourself one here (we did), if you need your shoes polished to perfection then have it done here (we did and what a fine job the guy did too), if you need a personal shopper or personalised workshop then yes, you can have it done here; its just like department stores have done for over a century in one wonderful gentleman's paradise.  Movember heaven really, and very nice they all are too.  We've made a short video of the windows which you can view on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJUAxESfa74

Hugo Boss, London

We're not entirely sure what we think of this installation.  Just lots of gift wrapped boxes surrounding the usual background.  We've seen this amazing Blue illuminated background for several months now and it did look very enticing initially, although we have moved on now and, well, this scheme hasn't.  Shame really, but quite a lazy scheme from this retailer for this time of year, don't you think?  This of course is not to say we don't like it, as that's irrelevant anyway, but complete lack of humour, complete lack of innovation, complete lack of any excitement or interest at all just screams that they just don't care or that no-one is in control of any form of creativity.  Out-of-the-delivery-box schemes just don't kick it for us. 

Agent Provocateur, London

That looks cold?  All Dolled up for the Hollidays at Agent Provocateur. London.  Mannequin in her lingerie.

Massimo Dutti, London

We were a little puzzled by the latest scheme from Massimo Dutti.  Why puzzled we hear you ask? Well, doesn't this reference the Gatsby trend which happened last May?  We know of course and understand the processes which trends follow although this is becoming much flatter and the journey from implementation at luxury brands to mid-rangers much quicker and therefore we are a little surprised to see it now when everyone else has done it?  Ah well, that's the Massimo Christmas scheme for you; just 6 months too late.

Anthropologie, London

We always have to have a could old 'fix' at Anthropologie whenever we feel the need to be inspired and cleansed  and of course cant wait to visit their stores in NYC in a few weeks' time.  With the Christmas season well and truly upon us (well in a retail sense at least) this brand always surprise us and encourage us that their is hope out there for creativity within Visual Merchandising within a global brand.  Thank goodness for Anthro. we say.

Guess, London

Well this is a surprising little scheme from this brand.  We often wonder with brands like this that if we removed the brand name from their fascia and stores either side of this store, would anyone actually be able to tell the difference between them?  However this scheme is looking actually very good; OK well its probably a global roll-out but nonetheless it actually isn't too bad and certainly not offensive, even if it is rather inexpensive.

Fenwick, London

WOW, Fenwick are on fire right now.  We cant believe the transformation from the last few Christmases to now.  No longer are these guys dusting off the old silver props and baubles and here we have a magnificent woodland scene competitively positioned up against their competitors.  We have to say that we really are in awe of this change and delighted to see these guys shine again after what seems like an eternity in the land of the dusty suburban (yet so central) department stores.  You guys are rocking.  Check out our video of these windows on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_2MwBheh68&feature=c4-overview&list=UUsubIQJFMNM6ZVPlgxA4MaQ

Liberty, London

Explosions at Liberty is the offering from their windows this Christmas.  Metallic structures and tiny lights leading to the vinyl on the fenestration which looks super cool.  We are a little disappointed however and we hate to say this as we adore what these guys do normally.  We understand their competitors unique selling points and this brand have their own fantastic and universally unique heritage and therefore we were expecting something a little more 'old school'; Perhaps this is why they have changed direction? Although it is why we adore them.  This still looks great of course, although some interesting narrative with lots to see and wonder was what we really would have loved to view rather than a scheme which looks like it could be a global multiple.  Sorry guys, we just tell it like it is. You can also find a short video of this on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88aGdpSa_oI

Moschino, London

Mannequin sat on a giant fake Rose.  Revolutionary stuff this.  Thanks Moschino.

Issey Miyake, London

We really do enjoy the simplicity of the Miyake schemes and this one is no exception.  Very gentle; a piece of fabric from which the merchandise is made with a map print and merchandise suspended in a gravity dynamic..  Simples.  There's not much more to say about this one, is there?

Ms. Selfridge, London

Isn't Ms. Selfridge looking rather delicious right now?  Christmas schemes are coming in fast right so once we've done them all we will just have to move onto somewhere else delicious......yes NYC beckons us again and only just a month or so from the launch of our book, Visual Merchandising for Fashion.  In the meantime, lots of Gold and a few fairies at Ms. Selfridge (we are referring to the windows not the team of course)

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?