The Sting, London

The newly opened Dutch owned brand store 'The Sting' launched here recently in London right on the high profile corner of Piccadilly Circus. Those of us who have been shopping here for eons will remember this as Tower Records. We always met up outside Tower Records on a Saturday night before venturing into the dubious bars of Soho, religiously. Anyway, in its latter years it was reincarnated as the Virgin megastore and then the oddly named Zavvi. My first impression from their window scheme was that this looked really promising. The scheme is strong and as a launch, I'm sure they must have hired every available stylist in town. Anyway, as a collection of brands each of the windows has a slightly differing variation on the same theme with a Union Jack backdrop. I did have a sneak review into the store while it was closed and sadly it does appear like just about every other 'multiple' on the high street, and this is a shame. Mounds of t-shirts, Jeans and shirts on low level plinths piled high, wardrobes and so on. The decor reflects the usual tourist stuff we have seen along Carnaby street forever. It will be interesting to see if these guys can maintain the standards they have set in the windows as time goes by. I am guessing it will all just blend into the blandness of the other stores at this end of Piccadilly, but we may be surprised. It really is a shame however that we have yet another store peddling this cheap mass produced stuff and further saturating the high street. This is not what London is about. But very good presentation none the less.

Penhaligon's, London

I know very little about this brand other than what is available on their website. I know that the product is beautiful quality and packaged exquisitely however I am not sure that this is reflected in the presentation? While viewing the latest scheme in one of their London store's I could help feeling that this scheme doesn't communicate the luxurious feeling that the rest of this brand simply oozes. I'm all for cardboard engineering in the right retailer but really not at this level. Cardboard hot air balloons are placed as if carrying the product with a Blue and White Gingham fabric covered floor. It does of course say Summer and reminisces about picnics etc. etc., but perhaps this could have been produced in a much more aspirational and sophisticated way?

Juicy Couture, London

Juicy Couture is probably one of the more exciting 'multiples' here in London right now. I am struggling to find new schemes here in the city at the moment to share with you as Sale seems to be dragging on for weeks and weeks. Although this is not Juicy's best scheme, what they do seem to do well is to keep up with current trends even in their simplest schemes. Stacked suitcases in store windows are rife right now with just about every retailer following the trend. The Antiques markets around town must be making a small profit. Anyway, with their signature White glossy mannequins and their stack of suitcases Juicy present us with a quality presentation. Its not the most exciting, but its there. Lets look forward to the next installation.

Gucci, London

Gucci's current scheme here in London is of course always such superb quality. Dull, but superb quality nonetheless. What this company do so well is perfect presentation that oozes luxury. One can even smell the store along the street. It is however, I feel, quite boring. Yes, they dress well, yes they use the best photographers, yes they present everything to minute detail, but its the same old stuff over and over again. Large format graphic (albeit in this case a leticular - which those of you who are not aware of what this is, its essentially two images in one which as you move around it changes and gives the illusion of depth - hmmmmmm). It differs very little from their previous scheme which was exactly the same format only using Black and White images of their old / original stores. Innovative stuff hey? I love the quality of this brand but they seem to have lost the edge they once had, which they then found again, and then lost it. Of course they have their core customers who will always buy this stuff and the ones who aspire to be able to buy it. In the meantime, I just can't help yawning.

Welsh and Jefferies, London

I find it quite distressing to see people cry, don't you? The pain and anguish some people suffer I simply find so unbearable that I just cant stand to view that kind of spectacle. Whenever I see this type of retail environment the same emotions are raised. Is this a cry for help? or is this a retailer who has either given up and just doesn't care or one which simply doesn't know where to go? Here along Savile Row is Welsh and Jefferies. Armed forces tailor to the Prince of Wales. OK, perhaps we don't care about the latter half of that last sentence. This company is part of a national institution but it appears to be a part of the last centuries institution that are either dead and buried or just simply buried (and in some cases possibly dug up again) and where this company is concerned, we seem to have already built the mausoleum for it. This store is just a project waiting to happen. I am, in a way embarrassed to show this kind of company here. I also feel that I need to tell it like it is and communicate how dreadful we are sometimes with our visual presentation, while also ironically so cutting edge and aspirational, and this kind of stuff still exists. It does at least only for now.

Paul Smith, London

Do you ever visit a handbag in a store window or a pair of shoes? I know a lot of my female friends do and find themselves virtually licking the glass willing them onto either their feet or arms. I feel the same thing about 'Home' stuff. OK, well I have the usual dark wooden floorboards oozing that ostentatious poverty look and absolutely gorgeous leather upholstered furniture that I sink into at the end of a hard days work. Well, why work if one cant enjoy sinking into gorgeous furniture, gorgeous baths and enjoying fabulous food, hey? Whenever I travel to NYC I spend hours at ABC just licking everything in wonder and desire. OK, well maybe my budget is more Crate and Barrel if I'm honest, but one can at least aspire to beautiful things. Don't get me wrong, I'm not materialistic, but surrounding oneself with beautiful things is one of life's pleasures, isn't it? I love this Paul Smith Home store here in London. It is way out of my price range, but looking is free at least. If you have a spare £2,900 for this shell covered dolls house (marked down from £4,200) or the 'Love too' silk wall hanging for £1515.00 then swing by and make the purchase. Just let me know where this stuff is going so that I can swing by to yours and lick the glass there too.

Ralph Lauren, London

I must admit, that I am not a huge fan of this brand. They have never hurt me, so I have no agenda, but I just don't warm to the concept. Having said that, they do do some wonderful stuff and the Parisian store is absolutely incredibly exciting. However, all of a sudden on seeing the new concept here in London it reminded me again how talented the creative team are here and wanted to share it with you. I absolutely loved this Uber glamorous concept which reminds me of some kind of amazingly glossy photo shoot - that I sadly never went too. Anyway, beyond the perpetual use of the Yasmin Le Bon mannequins which as you know bore me to tears, this is flawless presentation. This team always do such impeccable presentation. In the meantime, I guess Yasmin is working the floor and waiting for a potential suitor to pick up her purse? Hmmm. I actually like this, but having a feeling this is not deliberately RL?

Lalique Haviland, London

I really want to love this concept, as it is such a brave move for what always appears to me at least as quite a 'dull' brand. It is refreshing to see them do something completely different although perhaps the direction is not quite the right one? A mannequin has been placed in the window covered in a 'taped' version of the vinyl placed on the fenestration. This in itself is fine, although on closer inspection the tape has been applied very naively and is torn in places too. A piece of Lalique has been placed on its head a la Lady Gaga stylee which is fun, but just doesn't work. There is also a torso of a another figure placed with plastic chains as if reigning in the Lalique dog figures although the arms are placed in a position which mannequin arms are not meant to be and this rather jars. I really do enjoy what this brand are trying to achieve although this window is perhaps representative of a mock-up of a concept before the real bucks (or in this case Euro) are spent, however presented as the final concept, albeit Sale - Ouch. I would be worried if I were reading this at Lalique head office. Great initial concept, but just all so wrong and the brand damage is here for all to see. That must hurt.

Asprey, London

Asprey do some wonderful schemes from time to time and I have covered quite a few of them. This part of their current scheme, while of course is such wonderful quality is not the most dynamic. I think the creative team would agree too. However, it does what it does and that's it. Merchandise is placed in a pyramidal format within these side windows. This is all I can really say about it. The plasma screens surrounded with drift wood are still in place (although some of the screens are not always working) and I am looking forward to the next installation. Am I struggling here or am I struggling? Lets hope Sale ends soon.

Central St. Martins Interior Design for Retail Course

Over the last two weeks I have worked with the nicest group of students any tutor could wish for. Students studied my course in Interior Design for Retail at Central St. Martins College of Art here in central London travelling from South America, Germany, India, Thailand, France, Turkey and London to take the two week course. During that time students visited numerous factories and showrooms relating to the Retail Industry and completed a design project within their area of interest. It really has been an exciting couple of weeks and it was a pleasure to share their journey with them. The outcomes included a retail space for Strumpet and Pink, an ecological jewellery brand and one stop shop for those all important dinner party gifts. As many of the group fly to Milan to continue their studies and the others back to their daily lives in their respective countries I hope they will pursue their interest within this industry. It is always sad to part ways, although I hope we will see them crop up again as accomplished designers within this industry in the future.

Stella McCartney, London

Dare I say it but the creative's at Stella McCartney have 'done good'. I have been concerned about this brand for a while. Don't get me wrong, I didn't lose any sleep over it, even while 'Emperor's new clothes' always springs to mind every time I see this and the NYC store (but that's just me) However, I simply couldn't bring myself not to record this as after their (quite recent) painting-by-numbers scheme which I thought was wonderfully produced followed by the Sale scheme which was toe curlingly amateur, this one is actually....well...it is...OK. Large format graphic cubes communicate their 'stuff'. Its not doing this brand any favours, but, there clearly is a target market out there who will buy this stuff regardless. Maybe this brand need more time to grow, I don't know yet, but I will keep watching it simply out of interest. In the meantime, am just going to keep telling it like it is.

Other Criteria, London

Its not often one views merchandise in store windows late at night while walking alone in one of the most luxurious places in London worth over £7.5 K just sat there. At Other Criteria, the work of Eduardo Sarabia's '18 with a bullet' collection being showcased here makes for an interesting view. With the continuing trend of retailers utilising artists and designers outside of the industry, here Other Criteria use the work itself - after all they are a kind of Gallery. This is an interesting concept actually as they sell the postcard, the t-shirt, the poster, the print and so on of a variety of artists work as well as the work itself, namely Damien Hirst, Banksy, David Bailey (at least the ones you may have heard of) both signed and unsigned too. Cant afford a Damien Hirst painting? Then buy yourself a postcard of it (yeah, I know its not the same). The simplicity of these windows works incredibly well and I must say that I adore some of this stuff. I wouldn't be prepared to pay the price of it however and it is 'stuff' that I can live without purchasing or aspiring to do so although a lot of it is actually very beautiful. However, if you like this kind of thing, this is the place for you. Maybe while you're there also check out Jane Simpsons 'A beautiful Day in a Glossy World'. Described as "a tableau of rubber vases displayed on a shelf". If you cant afford the £11.5K price tag, then swing by Habitat or Zara Home on Regent st. and do it yourself for a fraction of the cost. I promise not to tell anyone. Just think what you could buy with the £11.450k I've just saved you. Go on treat yourself.

Diesel, London

While it has been sweltering hot in London recently and Sale windows still predominate across town, it becomes ever more difficult to give you examples of some interesting schemes. However, there are some little gems around if one looks hard enough and Diesel, here along Bond St. is a good example (even their sale scheme looks cool). This store in particular seems to differ from its sister sites with each scheme which is refreshing. While the majority of their current scheme in this store is in Sale, they do have a part of it which remains interesting. The team here have used copies of technical / formal drawings as a backdrop in front of which is placed the product. Metal cogs (the kind of thing that you would see on a bicycle) have been grouped in a repetition format of various sizes. Simple and clean, another little winner from this brand.