Bike Cosy, New York

Image copyright Ronald Knoth

This image really made me smile this week.  Spotted on the streets of New York by my colleague Professor Knoth of http://www.bespokenfor.net this crocheted bike cosy (or cozy depending on which side of the Atlantic you are reading this) just says it all.  Besides being 'so New York' of course it also supports the notion of the handmade that we have seen here in London as the trend that began 2010.  While my day to day lack of routine schedule is not in the slightest bit terrible, I do adore finding these things myself as they make each day just that little bit better.  Don't they? 

Louis Vuitton, London

I have to admit it, I am a huge fan of what this brand does.  OK, well I don't have the finances to purchase any of this merchandise, but that doesn't really matter to me.  Just to view the spectacle that these guys produce is enough for me to enjoy and what a spectacle this is.  Their incredible installation currently here at their Maison along Bond st. is as superb as their previous one.  An Asian rickshaw carrying gorgeous articulated figures deliberately placed as if seeking directions and communicating their narrative is just delicious beyond words.  When you are aware of the work that these guys do and what goes on beyond the scenes to get here just makes me appreciate what they do even more.  The in store guys are just so incredibly helpful  and nice too with every greeting  said as if they really do mean it.  If this isn't the way forward for the mid range and laggards brands to aspire towards then I feel we will see an awful lot of empty commercial spaces around town in the near future.

Max Mara, London

At Max Mara on Bond St. recently the creative guys have become ever more increasingly minimal.  I am really enjoying the simplicity of what these guys are doing as it illustrates such incredible strength and confidence in this - dare I say it - brand.  One simple piece of merchandise has been dressed on a bust form next to an image of the merchandise printed and placed on to a light box.  Surrounding it are packages (of stuff?) impeccably wrapped and strategically placed.  What more could we possibly need? (apart from maybe being offered one to open of course, but that ain't gonna happen, is it?)

Bally, London

I must admit, I'm not a huge fan of this scheme.  I do love what this brand have produced previously and some of their schemes have been beautifully produced.  But this one?  No.  Dare I even mention the word motif.  Of course this is a wonderfully quality brand, but I just cant bring myself to even raise a perfectly manicured eyebrow with this latest installation I'm afraid.

Mathew Williamson, London

I mentioned recently about the use of Copper as a trend in store windows and how this has been translated from places such as Mango into trends in Interiors at the likes of Zara home.  Interestingly enough we are seeing a whole lot of schemes reflecting this trend and none more so than designers such as Mathew Williamson.  I haven't always included the schemes from this brand on this site as some of the uses of the product and the vehicles which carry them have not always been used in a particularly creative way, however it was worth noting that this scheme in particular had clearly picked up on the Copper trend through its merchandise.  Georgina Goodman around the corner on Bond st. has also picked up on this trend with the use of their shoes placed within these spinning spheres - although as from yesterday the merchandise has now changed.

Georgina Goodman



Ralph Lauren, London

If you weren't along Bond St. last night where were you?  OK, well it was freezing cold but it was worth swinging by Ralph Lauren to view this spectacle at their flagship store.  At 8.30pm precisely, the building was illuminated with the most incredible short promotional film projected onto this site.  OK, well it was clearly a brand promotional 'thing' but it really was a treat to view and worth hanging around in the cold to capture.  Of course these images are only a tiny snippet of what was shown but am sure you get the gist and hopefully this will give you an idea of whats going on here in London right now.  This is what its all about.....wonderful stuff.

Krizia, London

Yep..........wish I could fly up to the sky too.  (Oh C'mon you were thinking the same thing too)



www.keithharrisandorville.co.uk



Harvey Nichols, London

Its looking quite spectacular down in Knightsbridge right now with Harvey Nichols 'blinging' us through the season - I don't think I have ever seen so much tinsel.  With their alien looking figures, rope lighting and snow spouting tree, this is one of those schemes one would have travelled to London to come and marvel.  As usual the guys here have provided us with a magnificent show which only they know how.  I love the style of these guys which keep this store in particular firmly on my radar.  Cheers guys, I believe the Christmas season has now officially arrived.

Harvey Nichols, London

We love the Christmas scheme at Harvey Niks.  OK well this is a bit of a teaser rather than the main scheme so you'll just have to check back around midday to see it in all its glory.

Gawd, there's always 'one' who feels this need when I'm out taking pics...so here ya go mate.



Fortnum and Mason, London

The blinds have been down for a week at Fortnum's with the guys beavering away behind the schemes teasing us by only revealing a window at a time.  Of course the level of detail that these guys go to is remarkable so how could I possibly complain when the finished result is so spectacular?  While we live in an Xbox and press-return-answer-on-google-world we simply cant hurry this kind of work.  After all, could you imagine Caravaggio or Raphael photoshop-ing their masterpieces on some kind of production line? - hardly, this is after all Europe, not the contemporary Far Eastern zone, if you get my drift.   Anyway, there are hints of what is to come in the images below with product grandly presented as works of Art and hints of bringing the romance back into this season.  In the meantime, I will be patient and bring you the windows in their full glory when all is done very soon. 

Market Day

That's just how I felt this morning.......Well its market day again today and goodness knows its freezing cold right now in the early hours and no fun having to get up out of bed to snap up the latest stuff, although I must say that it is always worth it and I always look forward to seeing those delicious finds and buying for clients. After a hot Tea and croissant from our friends across the water it always makes things just that little bit better and I get over it.  Anyway, the above little beauty was snapped up in minutes as I saw a very small old-ish hairy man in a long Black coat carrying her away in a very large bag and quite honestly looking very dubious at that - still whatever floats your boat an' all that.  The usual crew were out in force peddling their new wares and I did happen upon some gorgeous bits such as the currently unloved but wonderful shaped chair below.  As for the stacked suitcases, is anyone still doing this?  Sooooo 2010. 

Mulberry, London

I quite like the lastest installation from Mulberry as seen on Bond St.  I'm not a huge fan of this brand personally and I havent always liked all of their schemes, although with this one, they seem to have got it just right.  I'm guessing this is their Christmas scheme?  Thankfully, less the usual Christmas schemes and more seasonal - very refreshing.

 

C'mon guys sort out one of ya' funny shaped things on a ribboney bit



The Fine Art Society

I wonder if they have these in my size?