Fendi, London

Isn't this the best scheme ever from Fendi?  We came across it recently in a publication but only had time to glance at it so made a bee-line to the store the other evening to take a closer look.  We weren't sure what they were going to do when they moved from their former store across the road, but how cool do they look, hey?  These installations by Meret Probst and Lola Lely are another fantastic example of Art meet Visual merchandising.  With moving coloured belts (image above, which cant really be appreciated in a still image) this really is a magical scheme.   In the second window, clear glass vessels contain coloured liquids which appear to drip down the threads onto the merchandise below.   A stunning installation from this brand.

Bvlgari, London

How beautiful are these windows hey?  Bvlgari are not always the most innovative in their window schemes but these ones certainly are a corker.  With these stunning concertinaed structures in (almost) monochromatic tones, these certainly drew us in to take a closer look.  OK, well we're never going to buy anything here but looking is free and we appreciate beautiful things.  We don't know who produced them, but hey, they certainly look amazing.  Used in conjunction with the surrounding grand wallpaper and a visual of a beautiful model (who naturally woke up like that this morning), it really does ooze the quality that this brand is.

Tent, London 2011

Did you go to Tent 2011 in East London this year?  If you didn't then here's a little snapshot of what you missed.  From some of the coolest movers and shakers in the Design industry we've been looking out for some of the latest trends, materials and concepts before they happen on the high street.  These incredible 1m sq feathered structures, for example, by Louise Greenfield and the mirror and wood screen (below) by Lee Borthwick were definitely at the top of our list.  Of course, the creative use of neon is always a pleasure to view too and it looks like these printing block trays are becoming rather more popular (and could also be found at 100% across the other side of town amongst other places that we've been looking)

NYOU, Eilat, Israel

Images Courtesy and Copyright Ira Simonov

We've recently been sent some images by the very kind Ira Simonov at the NYOU store in Eilat, Israel, of her latest installation for this brand.  We weren't familiar with this store prior to receiving these images, however, it is so incredibly exciting that we are able to share what is happening around the world in Visual Merchandising.   The scheme which consists mainly of Black, Red and White is promoting their latest winter collection of merchandise.  The theme of the windows is based on Rock Bands and Music is the Answer.  In addition to this Ira has  used Black and White Geometric lines to give her scheme the illusion of depth in conjunction with vinyl placed on the fenestration and mannequins in a Chrome finish.  Since installing her scheme at the store which sells brands such as Replay, Steve Madden, Adidas, Diadora, Converse and so on, sales have risen by 25%.  How wonderful is this, and we are very pleased that we are able to share with everyone what is happening around the world, so please do keep them coming.

Clarks, London

Wow, you turn your back for just one minute and even Clarks looks  hot.  We've never seen this brand looking so good.  Gold leafed backdrops, fabulous bust forms with articulated arms in a repetition format and manipulated paper outfits - how cool do these guys look, hey?  Please keep them coming guys, you're looking so good right now and upping the ante on the high street.

B Store, London

The guys are B store (at the Miyake end of Saville Row) are clearly way ahead of the forthcoming trends for 2012.  With their use of 'old' Liberty fabrics to create these giant Teddy bears we can see the trend towards Nostalgia and Comfort beginning to creep in.  We may just see some of the multiples on the high street pick up on these trends but possibly not until well into next year.

On the streets, London

100% Design, London

We're a little show'd-out at the moment, having been from East to West and everywhere in between.  From Westfield East London to Tent London and on to 100% Design, what a week....!!! We have gathered in the latest in trends and design scanned from what is happening on the streets in order to share these with you, we also have a  few highlights that brought a smile to our face.

 

Alberta Ferretti, London

WTF?  Oh VM God help us.  We always attempt to include the best of the VM industry but there are the odd occasions when we find ourselves not stunned by the wonder and intellect of some of the window schemes around the world but also stunned at the lack of care of some brands out there.  While all brands wish, of course, for us to part with our Sterling, Euro, Dollar, Yen and so on, don't we all at least expect these brands to tempt us, encourage us, entice us....oh the list goes on.  Sadly, at Ferretti along Sloane st. (one of the most exclusive parts of London for those of you reading this internationally) it seems that the 'Saturday-girl-who-works-on-the-fitting-room' scenario is kicking in here.  It seems clear that there is no direction currently at this brand which of course could be so incredibly wonderful.   But just look at the state of these wigs, huh?  We cant even bring ourselves to talk about the rest of this scheme, although lets hope that the VM roller coaster wont be dipping this low for much longer?

Tata Naka, London Fashion Week, London

If you missed the Tata Naka show at Somerset House yesterday for London Fashion week, then you really did miss a corker.  Carefully, and so wonderfully intelligently considered by the ever talented http://www.chameleonvisual.co.uk/  under the directorship of the lovely Ms. Davidge.  This kind-of-installation was inspired by the work of Pina Bausch and really was quite stunning.  If you're not familiar with Pina Bausch, she was a "German performer of modern dance, choreographer, dance teacher and ballet director" (Image at bottom of entry)  What we haven't shown here is how Bausch's work has been so brilliantly translated for this photo shoot beyond these images.  A variety of layers emulating the fashion were placed behind the models at various times as if they had melted into the background.  Rose petals and chairs on which the models were stood or laying perfectly beautifully referenced and reinterpreted the work of Bausch.  In conjunction with the work of Tata Naka and their reconstructed prom dresses of hand printed, stolen memories with underlying sinister layers communicated just how thought provoking these two designers really are.  In the meantime of course, we all need a facilitator in order to bring these strands together and, as always the incredible Ms. Davidge at http://www.chameleonvisual.co.uk  pulls it off to her ferociously high standards once again.   



Image Copyright Clau Damaso



Harvey Nichols, London

If you are unable to get to go and view the current phenomenal window scheme at Harvey Nichols who are advertising London Fashion Week, here's a little snapshot for you.

(Please note that if you are receiving this via e-mail,  unfortunately we have discovered that the book cant be e-mailed directly and you will either have to link to issuu.com or to http://www.retailstorewindows.com/ directly)

Nicole Farhi, London

Recent graduates from the Fda Fashion Retail Branding and Visual Merchandising course at the London College of Fashion have been working with the ever talented Jamie Shouli at Nicole Farhi on a launch scheme for London Fashion week at their brand new gorgeous store here along Conduit st.  This scheme designed by Daniel Purnell who has just graduated from his Foundation degree is just one of  the many of the coolest talents coming out of this incredible hot house of the freshest and newest young designers entering into the visual merchandising industry.  We've showcased some of these talented guys here previously and this is certainly one of the places to watch as these movers and shakers launch into the industry all around the world. 

Swarovski, London

This is quite a bold scheme for this brand, don't you think?  We have to admit that we're not huge fans of this scheme, although it is a significant leap ahead none-the-less.  With these out sized playing cards (actually, another version of large format graphics really with repetition of the jewellery forms and White plinths) it is at least an interesting way forward to communicate tiny pieces of merchandise in such a large space.  Anyway, we'll let you decide what you think.