Kenzo, Burjuman, Dubai

I am always strangely drawn to Kenzo whenever I see it in London as it seems such a mysterious brand to me that I know so little about. I suppose it just doesn't scream from the high street, but always seems to be there. Kenzo, of course, is now part of the portfolio of the ever increasing LVMH group but I strangely never really see anything of it apart from the ubiquitous perfume adverts. Also, the London store has one of those omnipresent security grills so sadly used in so many stores in the 'thieving' West. Here in Dubai of course, this is not a problem. The scheme in this store did grab my attention (possibly because I didn't have view it through a security grill) and on closer inspection contains what looked like pieces of old manuscript with writing in fountain pen which have been 'stuck' to form a backdrop. This actually works very well with the merchandise and the white gloss mannequins. However, I am not so sure about the bottles suspended from the branches around it. This seems rather an afterthought to me rather than a significant part of the scheme and perhaps some other prop would have been more appropriate? What do you think?

Bershka, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Here in the Mall of the Emirates is the latest offering from Bershka. I have to admit that I didn't warm to the brand initially when I first saw the store back in London, however, they have been doing some interesting stuff recently that warranted another look. Of course, the brand is part of the House of Zara and the Inditex group. Although what is interesting is how different this brand is from its sister company. So often high street multiples seem to rationalise their spending particularly during a recession and use the similar shop fit across their brands in order to keep cost to a minimum regardless of who they are targeting. Anyway, Bershka clearly have their own defined personality which shines through in this store. Here we have a pseudo, possibly American highway scene? with printed backdrop and Oil drum carrying a pile of merchandise. The miniature VW and the illuminated lettering spelling BSK placed between the mannequins and the backdrop are fun props that complete the scenario.

Centrepoint, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

I found Centrepoint here in the Mall of the Emirates (and incidentally they are also in the Burjuman) and have included them here as the props that they have presented are very similar to those in the Science Museum back in London. These work very well as part of my explanation of repetition of form, shape and so on to my students. I do often take my students to the Science Museum to have a look at the various mathematical structures that they have explored there and presented so it was quite a pleasure to find store windows that have used them to support their merchandise. Of course the pyramidal format has been used if we look at the product display dynamics and although the merchandise is not the most exciting, these things are great to use to explain the display process with the use of hexagons and pentagons etc. As with a lot of these 'local' brands, I am not absolutely familiar with it, however, what they do, they do very well, and if you need to explore the fundamentals of product handling, this is a great place to start.

Bugatti B>More, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

Bugatti B>More is another brand that I had never heard of until I visited the Mall of the Emirates and WAFI Mall here in Dubai. I have had a quick search around the net to find out a little more about them as I do actually like the layout of thier retail spaces. Unfortunately, all I can find it the usual marketing malarky from the Malls themselves rather than information about the company itself in which I was rather quite interested. It transpires however that this brand is actually a multi-brand provider rather than a brand in itself. According to the Mall marketing, Bugatti B>More is a "multi-brand fashion boutique offering men and women's clothing" and apparently Bugatti B>More "symbolizes choice, preference, class, elegance and fashion". I felt that it was a shame that the company don't seem to have their own philosophy or statement about themselves for us to understand where they are coming from. The marketing statements about them sadly say so little about the brand itself. Whenever a marketing statement declares that a brand represents 'class' it does ring alarm bells, at least for me, to ensure I steer clear. However, the product presentation is actually very well done and I felt that the open front with merchandise simply placed was so incredible to my western eyes. This would last two seconds in a British Mall, the merchandise would be snatched and on ebay within the hour. This is, however Dubai and the penalty for doing such a thing is zero tolerance and not an attractive option. Maybe there are lessons to be learned here?

Etisalat, Mall of Dubai, Dubai

I came across this incredible Etisalat store just by chance the other day. I felt compelled to record it and show it to you as it was such a pleasure to see what is essentially a communications store that looked so beautifully designed and contemporary. Of course there are numerous and incredible Apple stores dotted around the globe which I have seen many times, which always look so pristine and are probably a competitor, however this store really did draw me in (Apple stores don't tend to) I wasn't wholly familiar with this local brand who describe themselves as "enabling people to reach each other, businesses to find each new markets and everyone to fulfill their potential". OK, there is the usual marketing blag that goes with just about every brand, but this really is done well. I cant subscribe to this brand as I don't live in UAE although they say of themselves that they "are increasingly present in international markets". I guess we will need to watch this space.

Harvey Nichols, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

I really do love the Hot Stuff promotion at Harvey Nichols here in the Mall of the Emirates. I first visited this Mall a few years ago, and of course tested out the incredible Ski Dubai too (I have written about in a previous entry) With the global issues aside, Ski Dubai is quite remarkable and of course helps keep this Mall one of the busiest in Dubai. This store a few years ago seemed to need to find itself as it felt visually a little disconnected from its London sister store, and of course my frame of reference - I appreciate it is a franchise. However, having seen the store recently, it really does have the wonderful cache that the 'original' store has. Windows containing charred furniture scenarios fill this space on all three floors - the merchandise is as wonderful as ever. I adore this store and, well, OK I can get most of this stuff at home, but to see it interpreted here is a wonderful pleasure too and clearly one of the major anchors to the Mall itself.

Chaumet, Dubai Mall, Dubai

I have never noticed this brands store at home in London before as it just seems to just blend in this all of the jewellers along Bond St. However, this one screams to be looked at. Here in the Mall of Dubai, one could hardly not notice it with its beautifully lit frontage. Having been drawn in to take a closer look, it transpires that this is actually quite an old Parisian brand dating from 1780 founded by Marie-Etienne Nitot . It also has quite an interesting history of corruption too according to the information I can find out about it which led to bankruptcy during the mid 1980's. However, Chaumet was bought by LVMH in 1999 it became profitable again. Although it is very unlikely that I would ever buy anything here the merchandise is very beautiful as is the store itself and if only for that do go and take a look.

Jacob & Co., Dubai Mall, Dubai

I'm not normally hugely interested in Jewellery, although I do appreciate some of the wonderful stores here in the Dubai Mall. Jacob & Co. is one of the more unusual stores selling outrageously expensive jewellery and watches for the local market. As I have mention previously, so many of these Malls are almost completely empty of people shopping, as people shop in such a different way. One customer may spend hundreds of thousands of Dirhams in one shopping journey here. Anyway, as this store was so beautifully produced, it certainly warranted a closer look into the company. The clientele for this brand seem to be the 'bling' set of pop stars, supermodels and possibly children of global Hotel chains (if you know who I mean). According to their website, pieces of jewellery (including time pieces here too) fall into the "Fashion" category. I am particularly intrigued to view the "World is Yours" timepiece which apparently contains different coloured diamonds to form the continents and oceans of the world. There really is a skill in designing this stuff, and whether we like it or not, there clearly is a market for it too.

Fendi, Dubai Mall, Dubai

At the end of Fashion walk on the lower level of the Fashion Drum is this incredible Fendi Store. Situated opposite the Armani Cafe this stunning store really does make an amazing impression. I don't think I have ever seen any Fendi store as beautiful as this. The large wooden wavy structure hangs above the wide entrance to the store with a suspended steel ball structure attached to overhead horizontal plane. At the entrance there is another steel ball structure that wouldn't be out of place in the coolest Art gallery. Although I never buy anything from this brand - after all I'm hardly their target market - I do appreciate beautiful stores. Sadly, as with a lot of the Malls here in Dubai, there is more space than people and they are very often so devoid of people to create an exciting atmosphere. Still, it always feels that I have the place to myself and I quite like that. Anyway, if you happen to be in the Dubai Mall do go and have a look. This really is luxury at its best.

Galeries Lafayette, Dubai

It seems odd to see Galeiries Lafayette here in Dubai. I have never thought very highly of this Parisian brand anyway and this is odd. Now don't get me wrong. I do want to like the Paris version and goodness knows I have tried, but it just looks so tired and just doesn't seem to live up to my expectations of a wonderful department store. Anyway, forgetting the name for a moment, this version has actually been produced very well although not as amazing as Bloomingdales here in the Mall of Dubai. Anyway, the day I was here, there was a Fashion show being planned for later that day. I do like these concepts and it would have been great to stay to view it from the Mall - although I wasn't invited - and there are just too many other sights to view. The windows contain the repetition of the out sized human lip motif on which product has been placed. I'm not a fan of motifs, but this actually, in its simplicity works very well.

At the Top, Burj Khalifa, Worlds highest store?

I'm not great with heights particularly, although when one is faced with a challenge I have to at least attempt to conquer it. The 'At the Top' store is situated literally at the top of the the Burj Khalifa, currently the worlds tallest building. Well, I say the top, although it is 120 storeys up in the air and the highest point where visitors can get too - there is more of the building above this point. I have followed the building of the Burj Khalifa over several years and seen its development with a lot of interest, although this is the first time I have been able to get inside. Having travelled along several corridors through the bowels of this building, with is its amazing digital screens, travelators and printed glass, before being rocketed at 10 metres per second in a digital screened elevator to the 'top' of this monster of construction. The sensation is bizarre to say the least, as the elevator almost doesn't move. The only sensation is your ears popping as one reaches these dizzy heights. Once the elevator stops at the viewing platform the views are incredible. I must admit, the palms of my hands were rather sweaty at this point and to add to the excitement, it is possible to actually go outside onto one of the exterior platforms (my legs were wobbly by now). Still the views are incredible and it was worth the effort. Within the enclosed viewing floor is the At the Top merchandise store. Possibly the highest store in the world? I liked the simplicity of the layout of this site, although I must say that the merchandise itself was a little disappointing. Some merchandise had clearly been produced before Dubai hit its monetary crisis and changed the name of the site from the originally planned Burj Dubai to Burj Khalifa (I believe the name of the Sheik in Abu Dhabi who bailed Dubai out of its crisis). Therefore, the merchandise itself was partly printed with one name and half with the other. However, the selection of 'stuff' didn't meet my expectations given the iconic status of this site. After all, who really wants a printed camel mug or soft toy which has in this case no relation to the site at which it was purchased? Baseball caps, tea shirts, bags and Gold coloured mini-Khalifa's and candles are the main product here. It is such a shame that so much work has gone into this site and all we can buy as a souvenir is poorly designed merchandise. Still the experience is remarkable and perhaps the best reminder is our own shaky experience - just remember to wear extra deodorant.

At the Top, Burj Khalifa, Mall of Dubai

I was itching to see the view from the top of the Burj Khalifa, although I must admit I do find being so high up on these kind of buildings a little unnerving. There is a whole dedicated and actually quite spectacular-no-expense-spared journey to the top beginning with the At the Top retail space. I do like this open space as there is such an element of trust with shoppers here which is quite unlike anywhere else in the world. This is however probably due to the very harsh and fearful prison system here which is certainly not the pleasant option to prolong your stay but perhaps a great deterrent against theft and so on. This open White futuristic looking space is the starting point for the journey to the top. Once one has paid for their ticket, at their allocated time slot one begins the journey through many spaces along travelators with video walls (below), escalators and walkways with beautifully printed glass (below). There is a sense that something remarkable is about to happen as one journeys through these various spaces within the bowels of this beast of a mega structure. Following the obligatory security searches and photo opportunity against a blank Green coloured back ground (I hate those things, but played along) one is shot through the air in the up-to-the-minute technologically advance elevator. No creaking ropes and pulleys here ya' know. The views are spectacular although a little unreal. Having viewed many Architectural models, the view itself is a little like, well, looking at the Architectural models of the area that I have seen many times. It really does look unreal. The Dubai Mall (and worlds largest Mall) appears like some giant alien machine that wouldn't look out of place in 'Independence Day' and the experience overall is very much like Westworld and Future World. The one thing that kept dropping into my mind was the sinister strapline from the films themselves..."Boy have we got a vacation for you". However, it is a spectacular achievement by the companies involved and if you don't mind heights (or even if you do), you must go for the experience - remarkable.

Bloomingdales, Dubai Mall, Dubai

Bloomingdales, here in the Dubai Mall, forms an enormous section of this Mall, over several floors and possibly the same space again through footfall and having walked through this store, I must say that it is absolutely stunning. The merchandise is very, very, desirable and I had to resist, resist, resist from buying anything as I could feel the shopping pangs becoming overwhelming here. What an amazing job this company have done (if in fact Bloomingdales do actually run this, otherwise the franchisee has done a superb job here). The lighting is stunning, the floors are glossy, the open frontage here is very welcoming and the individual product displays within this store are beautifully produced, perfectly kept and in many cases individually lit. The current window scheme of possibly Lichtenstein influenced cut outs are great fun, and if you want to see a good example of what to do within retail then this should be your destination. My photographs sadly don't do this store justice.