On the streets, New York (Brooklyn)

Spotted on the streets of Willamsburg in Brooklyn another paper pasted work of Art.  I don't know the significance of this, or if there is any significance at all, however it an interesting, possibly drawn or printed piece of work nonetheless.  Place some product in front of it...and...voila.

Ralph Lauren, New York

I had heard about the new Ralph Lauren mansion at the top of Madison Avenue through one of my contacts and naturally had to go and take a look for myself.  This store is stunning.  This new mansion house houses the womens wear collections and mirrors the Ralph Lauren mansion opposite which houses the menswear.  Apparently a 1960's building was here before this store was built in its Beaux Art style I believe, and it took three months just to  install all of the decorative plaster work.  This really is a grand old place with merchandise placed strategically around the store while maintaining the sense that the space was once a home.  Of course, it never was, but fabulous seasonally decorated chandeliers and gorgeous garlands this really is place to view.

Anthropologie, New York

If you ever needed to know how to make clutter look so artful then Anthropoligie is the brand to check out to see how it can be done, and done so well.  At the Rockefeller Center store, the team have created knit covered deer trophy heads which we can see a lot of around New york right now.  Also, one thing that captured my attention was this incredible radiator chair.  How fun is this?  OK, well probably terribly uncomfortable, but who cares, it just looks so amazing. 

On the Streets, New York

Spotted on the streets today around the Meatpacking district is the Soapology Car.  They don't make them like this any more.

Anthropologie, New York

I just cant help but love what the guys at Anthropologie do in their stores.  Every store that I have visited (well, OK three of them) all look so different that once again shopping is a pleasurable experience.  With the dreadful corporate globalisation out of a manual schemes looking as if they are here to stay at least for the bland multiples on the high street, Anthroplogie is a beacon of hope illustrating that utilising localised creativity can work and work incredibly well too.  Every store looks so creative and here at the Rockefeller Center store its no exception.  The larger than life fabric pine cones just look fantastic, great fun and I only wish I could see all of the stores in this brand just to see what they do next.

On the streets, New York

You have to love the humour of however posted this on the streets of New York.  There are a lot of paper pasted images on the streets right now which I am also recording as part of my journey of exploration and will post these as I find them.  These are great starting points for inspiration for new concepts and definitely worthy of including on this site.

Proportion>London, New Collection

Image Courtesy and Copyright Proportion>London

If you haven't seen the new collection of male figures from Proportion>London, then here's a little preview for you.  "Comprising 12 indispensable fashion poses, including sitters and kneeling positions, METROpolitan offers both a smooth abstract head and a trend led sculpt hair head and is available in an infinite choice of colours and finishes, including powder-matt cellulose skin shades with illustrative style make-up and wigs, durable two-pack paints and a full spectrum of lustrous metallic colours." 

It is always so difficult to find male mannequins which are not either feminine or neanderthal looking but Proportion>London under the Creative Directorship of the Uber cool fashionista Tanya Reynolds always gets it so right.  The guys here "measure up with a slim 36"(90cm) chest, 28"(71cm) waist and 19”(48cm) top of thigh, [so] these guys can wear the skinniest of trouser cuts with ease and look equally cool in sharp, slim-tailored suiting or layered up, off-duty casual clothing".  Proportion>London are particularly sharp when it comes to identifying the latest fashion trends and creating an amazing collection, perfect for all of you out there whether you are a department store, multiple of independent.  With  the METROpolitan collection being launched by Proportion>London there's no reason why your stores cant look even better and if you already have any of the Fluid collection launched earlier this year, then this guy is the perfect compliment.  Check out their site at www.proportionlondon.com

Image Courtesy and Copyright Proportion>London

Image Courtesy and Copyright Proportion>London

Image Courtesy and Copyright Proportion>London

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

I was in Visual heaven today at Bergdorfs.  The incredibly stunning ground floor area of this store, as with the windows, is just delicious.  Every arch, chandelier and possibly everything else is covered in White (possibly manicured) branches with lights, Gold beaked taxidermied (is that a word?) Geese (I'm hoping road kill although less glamorous).  OK, well, I was told by the security here or whom I assume were security to put my camera away - after all, a curly wire protruding from ones ear is of course power, yeah right, but hey, who cares and I guess Bergdorfs wont ultimately care for a bit of free publicity, and positive publicity at that?  Maybe I have the advantage that my accent can be sharper than their finest crystal and possibly, just possibly cuts through the garb, but  I would recommend anyway wholeheartedly going to take a look at this store whether they want you to visit them or not.  So, get yourself down there from New 'Joy-see' or the 'Brwoncks' by the coach load with the kids and take a look at your local department store.  Snobbery is working class after all. Just go for the experience and a day out - simply wonderful.  Just don't say I sent you, promise?

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Before I couldn't even post the next lot of images for you they were snapped up by a client so these are the ones left to show you although I have taken more inside the store for you to have a look too and which I will post soon.  I'm seeing a lot of references to the signs of the Zodiac within product as well as in the windows here at Bergdorfs.  With their usual stacked to the rafters schemes, it really is difficult to know where to look.  Across New York right now however,  it looks like tropical plants, pale woods and oddly enough taxidermy or at least heads of natural 'beasts' are going to be big and bigger in 2011 too.  Bergdorfs of course are leading the way in Visual Merchandising and I am quite mesmerised.  The incredible schemes with their faux perspectives and references to nostalgia are just superb.  I really am in awe.  

Barneys, New York

Once one steps beyond the incredible window scheme here at Barneys,  visually  the space is strangely rather toned down.  There are of course the wonderfully witty elements installed here such as above at the main entrance with the really fun Copper Brillo pad Christmas wreath suspended within a Copper leafed frame and each floor does initially have a slight personality which greets the shopper at the top of each escalator.  However, while I'm not disappointed as such, although just maybe slightly wrong footed, as the environment does feel a little bit Beckham-esque.  Ya' know, blank with little substance and depth but quite happy to take your cash?  I really wanted to be taken on a visual journey of discovery in this (what I thought was a fabulous store) and be excited at every turn and while I relished the open lofty spaces there was very little to excite me beyond the windows.  Menswear of course is the usual Zebrano fixtures and nearly all merchandise is Black, Brown and well Black....sighhh.  The creative visual in-store fix expectation was like opening one of those gifts that you know will be straight back on the re-gift list (although I never do that of course - ebay is my preferred option).  Ah well, at least the windows look amazing and that drew me in.  This  in store environment not living up to my expectations is the least of my worries, so, I'll get over it.....by next year.        

Barneys, New York

I always make a beeline for Barneys after being overwhelmed by Bergdorf Goodman as I do love the expectation of being entertained.  This is after all what its all about, at least in part.  This year, Barneys theme is celebrity chefs.  After the homage to Saturday Night Live in 2009 and previously to Cher, Peace, Warhol and Rudolph Guilliani this year Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, Martha Stewart etc. etc. get the Doonan treatment. (some of the chefs I'm not actually familiar with)  Anyway, the usual papier mache giant sized heads (the Doonan trademark) look great fun listing the Innovators and trailblazing chefs in the world of television.  The brilliant Illy dress (not shown here) too is beautifully executed hugely fun and just shows how creative these guys really are. 

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Every single person I have had a conversation with so far here in New York absolutely agrees that the windows at Bergdorf Goodman are quite superb.  These are just a few images from the front windows to show to you, although I will post more later for you however as per usual the team here have absolutely excelled.  This is aspirational stuff - you should hear the wows from the onlookers.  I am quite stunned and I will post more of this scheme later on today.  The interior of the ground floor is also simply stunning.  In the meantime, I would love a copy of their limited edition book if anyone wishes to part with $500?.  Guess that's a no then.  Still, I had a look at it today, just to have a drool and it really is magnificent if any of you have the cash for it. 

Showrooms, New York 2010

Having had just a few ours sleep and and stepping out into the freezing cold New York weather - which makes me feel right at home - but nonetheless, the wind chill factor here plus the jet lag adds to this feeling of desolation, but still, hey its New York so I'll get over it.  First stops are via the 25th Avenue showrooms to view the latest collections from the suppliers to the Visual Merchandising industry.  Here Bernstein and Roostein have created the most magical and glamorous environments.  Martini's and the Champagne was flowing, so, as you can imagine its difficult to write this stuff.  However, later on I'm off to venture out in the cold to view the latest offerings from Bergdorfs, Barney's, LV, Tiffany and so on.  This week we will show you the best from New York and from the snippets that I have seen, it looks like its going to be a corker of a Christmas here in the Big Apple.