Alexander McQueen, London

It is very difficult to fault the work of these guys at Alexander McQueen.  The presentation is so incredibly simple yet perfect, the merchandise of course is exquisite and the concept doesn't fight with the merchandise and try to steal the show.  These guys just get it so right.  Here, the team have used headless figures in a White finish to which they have adhered a fine wire mesh head.  How simple is that?  The perspex printed backdrop gives a sense of depth to this relatively small space.  If you needed to find a way of creating something so simple yet stunning then look to these innovators.  Wonderful stuff.

Mulberry, London

As a lot of you e-mailed me about this image that I posted last week to share your concerns,  rest assured we now have full inflation once again.  The inflatable handbag is all well and fully erect (possibly stuffed with a Birken?) - enjoy.  I have also included the fabulous handbag balloons in this post too.  Looking good guys down at Mulberry.

Miu Miu, London

Have you seen the newly opened Miu Miu store along Bond St. yet?  Until recently only Louis Vuitton shone and sparkled out amongst the luxury brands on this street until this store opened.  With their semi transparent fibre glass figures perched on these Rose Magda coloured curly sheep skins and mirrored and metallic surround, this store simply oozes luxury.  I do find the merchandise at these kinds of brands quite vulgar, but the presentation is second to none.  No expense has been spared at this flagship site and I'm dying to have a little scout around inside soon.

R.M.Williams, London

I do despair when I see this kind of thing happening out there (wherever there is of course).  With its bust forms dressed a la Orson Welles in A Touch of Evil, 1958, I just don't understand why these companies simply don't understand how important the visual experience is and which enables them to entice potential customers into their space?  The  product presentation here just looks so odd, and particularly when a hat is placed on a headless mannequin / bust form, as here, it simply paints a very chilling image.  come on R.M.Williams (who I know nothing about) sort out your Orson's.  Spine chilling stuff is going on here.

Chanel, London

I don't think I have ever written anything positive about this brands schemes since I began this site.  In fact, if anything I think I have possibly been a little critical with my previous entries of them, although this is born simply out of frustration that such a high profile brand would ever produce such bizarre and yet pedestrian presentation.  This also possibly contributes to the reason why I now rarely include them other than to share my gasps of horror.  No matter how much I poke and prod this brand, they seem completely oblivious to my comments and yet we are still presented with car crash Visual Merchandising of motorway, autobahn, freeway pile up proportions possibly involving several high sided articulated vehicles on a very windy, rainy and icy day.  Still, if anything, like the weather here in London right now, it gives us something to talk about. 

Just how I felt after last weekend

Mulberry, London

I had a quick scan at the new Mulberry store along Bond St. recently and I must say it was looking very exciting.  With its Golden balloons and Gold inflatable giant handbag in its windows I knew I had to grab my camera and swing by again.  Sadly, this evening, everything was looking just as I felt......deflated.  Ah well, bring on the next scheme I guess.

Hermes, London

I have found myself waiting until the last moment to publish this scheme here even though I photographed it a few weeks ago.  I am so undecided about what I think of it.  I want to love it, but I only really vaguely like it.  Although liking it has nothing to do with whether this scheme has any value of course and who actually cares whether I like it anyway.  Naturally the product is perfectly placed and we already know what incredible quality this product is.  However, I do feel that the use of the giant plastic bird doesn't quite communicate the quality of this brand?  Am I right?  Does this scream, shout or even whisper luxury to you? 

Hennes, London

I'm really enjoying what Hennes is doing right now.  Each store seems to have its own personality and this store in Knightsbridge is particularly great fun.  The suspended structures they have placed in this store (not shown here) are very much like the kind of thing one would could view at the Science museum just down the road.  OK, well maybe the feathered eyelashes are not quite right? Although for their target market it is probably just right, and the beehives a la Patsy (as in Edina and Patsy) are superb.  This brand clearly know their target audience and this line up of figures is particularly X-factor-esque rather than the usual perfectly polished groupings one can view at more expensive stores.  I have no doubt this will draw in the young females, and entertain their bored boyfriends with a flash of (albeit fibreglass) mannequin boob.  Job well done guys.

Mannakin, United Kingdom

Image Courtesy and Copyright Mannakin.com 

 As so many of you ask me for this kind of information here's a little heads up for you all.  If you have an event? maybe planning a pop up store?  just need some mannequins temporarily or cant make a huge investment?  You can do no worse than take a look at http://www.mannakin.com/  "At Mannakin you can hire or buy new or used mannequins in any kind of quantity. You can be assured of a huge selection of quality mannequins and fantastic customer service. With the biggest mannequin stock cupboard in the United Kingdom you will be able to find just what you are looking for." 

So, what are you waiting for?  Now there's no excuse for lack of Visual Merchandising in your store.  My favourites from this company definitely have to be in their incredible vintage section.

Image Courtesy and Copyright Mannakin.com



Splash, Dubai



Images Courtesy and Copyright Steve Scorer & Jensen Galiza

It must be really tough to produce a scheme in a country where Christmas is not only not celebrated but actually is just another, well Wednesday or Thursday and so on.  I'm not a huge fan of Christmas schemes per se myself anyway but with my Western sensibility and, well, Western conditioning, it just forms part of my annual events calender which I suppose I use to guide me through the year and of course it is the most lucrative event on the retailers calender. Anyway, enjoy this spectacle and this nod to the festive season from this value brand who really work hard to keep their own personality and do it very well too.  (They are also incredibly nice as well)         



Images Courtesy and Copyright Steven Scorer and Jensen Galiza



New Look, London

Would you buy a 20% off shirt just because you have seen it on TV?   No, neither would I.  And which TV?  Which channel?  Why isnt this mentioned?    Big brother informs me (very reliably) that this brand checks out this site. which of course is absolutely fine, so New Look if you are trying to sell  from a prime retail space on Oxford St, does anyone really want to feel that they are buying from a market stall particularly when your store as it was originally looked so good and aspirational?  I really want this brand to look good and while of course it is a value retailer (i.e. cheap stuff to you and I, but with great fashion) there is no excuse for such, dare I say it, for want of a better word, "failing" presentation and sales staff indifference.  Spend the money on presentation and staff development guys and encourage us in to your space.  Am just telling it like it is from the outside looking in.



Busy, Busy, Busy......just rushed off my feet.

 

Harrods, London

Reminiscent of the Musee Grevin in Paris, the Harrods creative team have created this stunning installation at their Knightsbridge store.  Following on from my previous entry a few hours ago, this scheme is quite superb.  OK, I'm not a fan of the Disney-esque element of this scheme and Peter Pan wouldn't have been my first choice personally, although these tableaux / narratives are so superbly produced it is almost entirely forgivable (however not completely).  The level of detail that has gone into this scheme is mind blowing as every tiny piece of it has clearly been thought through and delivered with military precision.  This is the kind of scheme people (whoever people are) would travel across the country or from around the world to come and view and then be mesmerised by the work these guys produce.  If you haven't seen this scheme get yourself over to Knightsbridge and have a look.  This is the visual aspect of what we do at its very best.

Harrods, London

If you haven't had the opportunity to view the Christmas scheme at Harrods, then here's a little snapshot for you.  I must say that I am rather wowed by the scheme that the creative team  have produced here.  The amount of detail is quite superb and on such a large scale, quite amazing.  These guys have clearly been worked hard to achieve what they have and the outcome is quite delicious and Uber glamorous.  These are examples of images of the side windows that the team have installed but I will publish the main scheme later on at midday, so, just watch this space.