Narciss Fashion, London

We came across this scheme at Narciss Fashion in Notting Hill today which brought a welcome smile to our faces during the current London violence and despicable behaviour of the moronic, bored, listless and disengaged who contribute nothing to society and yet expect everything from it.  We are actually quite tired of even having to mention them so will resist getting up on the podium.   Sadly even some of the stores in this area miles away from the main troubled areas had windows smashed and cobweb-like fenestration looked like installations that should have been at the Tate Modern, albeit quite unintentionally.  Sadly, for this scheme, while clearly meant in jest, it has almost become something which is imitating, and / or reflecting real life as it is right now.  We can still see the funny side of this installation, although now it seems more like a child's therapy output to explain the pain and anger that cant be articulated without the necessary developed vocabulary.  This is such a shame when the guys here have obviously meant this to be fun.  However, it still is, and we have to read this in the light that it was originally produced in. We hope that these guys will continue to entertain us regardless. 

On the streets, London

No food or drinks allowed in this shop EVER.  That means you and NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, bring food and drinks into this shop.  They are talking to you.  Not quite on the streets, but we just couldn't resist including this signage and its most welcoming printed notice.  Great, eh?  No surprise that this place was empty.  And God forbid you take your umbrella in with you and don't leave it in the basket by the door.  You have been warned.

Etro, London

We recently saw the opening of the new Etro store here in London (although we weren't actually invited to the opening ourselves).  At first glance, this looks like a really interesting scheme and thankfully the creative team have a lot more space to work with compared to their previous store windows.  Anyway, if you've ever visited any of the wax museums around the globe (and we always seek them out, Fisherman's Wharf SF, Musee Grevin Paris and so on) doesn't this feel like one of those tableaux where one would expect to see the likes of Jackie 'O' with bushy eye brows next to a glassy-eyed Oprah, at least three Popes. while chucking in a grimacing Julia Roberts for good measure, all un-strategically placed in an unlikely drawing room somewhere that never existed?  Throw in the odd faux mirror and fireplace, and we are all part of the scene ourselves. Perhaps a painted view of the Kremlin viewed beyond the net curtained back windows would help this hang together in a less bizarre narrative?  While you have those thoughts in your mind..... wiring mannequins in these kinds of brands is a must, however we're not actually sure if the flooring could take it?  Still, that's Design by committee for you. 

Louis Vuitton, London

Did you know that the first hot air balloon or balloon aircraft was launched in Paris in 1783?  No, well did you maybe know that the worlds largest supplier of hot air balloons is based in Bristol in the UK?  Bizarre stuff.  Anyway, here at Maison L.V. along Bond St. the latest scheme is wowing the wandering crowds on this street.  Tourists are having their pictures taken outside and enjoying the spectacle (we never quite understood why they do this ourselves?) but anyway, technically, we have a whole combination of layers and dynamics in this scheme.  From repetition of radiating forms in a gravity format, and in conjunction with a narrative, and (we think) a typical fashion led scheme (as in product based to inform the narrative) although looking at the AW11, having given the L.V. site a cursory glance, it seems to have quite a  different focus?  Still....'A single journey can change the course of a life' and maybe this is where the link is?  Ultimately of course, the finish and execution of the latest scheme is absolutely superb and the attention to detail, exceptional which simply keeps this brands' schemes at the top of our list. 

http://www.retailstorewindows.com/

Miu Miu, London

Since this new store opened over several months ago its has been quite difficult for us to make any positive comments about it.  With its huge mirrored Swans and subsequent Palm trees, it was clear that this brand know their target market, and what was also clear is that it wasn't us.  Anyway, we do actually like this scheme as it reminds us of that Kirsty MacColl song from her Tropical Brainstorm album........

I once met a man with a sense of adventure
He was dressed to thrill wherever he went
He said let’s make love on a mountain top
Under the stars on a big hard rock
I said in these shoes?
I don’t think so
I said honey, let’s do it here.

Need we say more?

Links, London

Just behind Peter Jones on Sloane square is one of the branches of Links.  We rarely look at this brand for some reason although this scheme caught our eye along the high street and beckoned us to take a closer look. These guys seem to quietly work away unnoticed a lot of the time, but clearly chipping away within their own commercial market segment. Anyway, with their delicious jewel-like formula concept, Chemistry of Friendship (formula as in Chemistry-type formula rather than the scheme being formulaic) we really thought this is an interesting and creative way to show notoriously difficult product.  While they have quite large spaces in which to showcase accessories which of course can so easily be lost, Links have placed the scheme within these glass boxes which immediately hones the eye in on the detail while allowing the viewer views into and around the store from the high street.  Clever stuff, eh?

Puma, London

The scheme along Carnaby street at Puma wasn't quite complete when we captured these earlier this week, BUT....WTF, hey?

Peter Jones, London

We recently mentioned that our students from the London College of Fashion won the Gold prize at Olympia a few weeks ago.  Well, if you happen to be Sloane Square right now, you can view their installation in person.  OK, well it is tucked away in the back streets, but then all the fun things happen there anyway, right?  So, do meander your way along here as we also found some really great schemes in the stores behind their installation which we'll include over the next few days also.  In the meantime, the guys at Peter Jones have been incredibly supportive of the new and latest talent emerging into the Visual Merchandising industry and this communicates incredible confidence in their own brand that they are able to give some (and we don't under estimate this) incredibly expensive space in support of the new industry talent.  How cool are the guys leading this, hey?

Guess where? London

Guess where?.....GGGrrrrrrrrrr

On the Streets, London

Moschino, London

The simplicity of the scheme at Moschino right now is actually quite spectacular, that this space here at their Conduit st. store almost appears as an Art gallery.  There's not very much to say about this scheme apart from that its shoes on a map of Europe, however it does actually look incredibly striking, don't you think?

Kew Gardens, London

Unsalable (US), Unsaleable (UK)  Kew goes stateside?.....in the meantime, don't poke....you've been warned.  A gentle and welcoming approach to customer service we thought.  We couldn't find the bubble wrap so we've decided to poke and have a "pop" via here. 

Haul yourselves into the 21st century guys at Kew, these kind of signs are reminiscent of when Thatcher was Queen and not appropriate for a 21st century commercial market. 

Design Museum, London

On the rare occasion that the 'precious princesses' at the Design Museum allowed us to take photographs (like we didn't anyway) we came across one of the latest exhibits this week which included this coffin.  We presumed empty.  However, if Gucci, Versace or Louis Vuitton did funerals, do you think that their coffins would look something like this?  We want one.........although not for a very, very long time....preferably.