Whistles, London

Images Courtesy of Whistles

Its so incredibly interesting to see Geometric patterns and designs featuring in store windows and interiors at the moment.  One only has to look also at the trend pages of various magazines and newspapers to see the influence of the Bauhaus and Post-modernism - our favourite period.  At Whistles under the creative directorship of the clearly talented James Sheppard, this brand has never looked so damn good.  We love whats happening here and how incredible to see this brand shout just a little louder from the high street after years and years as a shrinking violet - wonderful.

Burberry, London

It is so interesting to see the Geometric trend coming through at various brands at the moment.  We can see it at Hermes and Whistles right now.  Strangely,  Burberry seem to move from their usual over sized brand motif to some really interesting schemes.  Of course the product is absolutely delicious and it is refreshing not to see a graphic in sight, so how wonderful to these gorgeous colours and shapes in conjunction with the beautiful product.  Job interestingly done we think?

Nicole Farhi, London

Wow, have you been down to see the Nicole Farhi scheme on Conduit street?  Sadly the lovely Jamie Shouli has now left the brand, however, he has returned to create their latest installation, which of course has his wonderful handwriting all over it.  This is quite a difficult brand to work with visually and since the brand moved from the gorgeous Bond street site, the windows are very hard to work with also, we think?  However, with these wonderfully suspended natural forms supporting the beautifully made product, we cant help but wish the cold weather away.  We've been following Jamie's work for some time now and loved every scheme (we've covered most of the schemes here).  Anyway, the very good news is that Jamie hasn't left the country and you can tap into his knowledge and skills by contacting him at  jamesshouli@me.com 

On the Streets, Paris

On the streets, Paris, 2012

Louis Vuitton, London

Have you been down to Bond Street to see the new scheme at Louis Vuitton right now?  Well probably not as its just been completed, so here it is for you all.  The use of horses in schemes has been bubbling up for a short time, so here you go....not just absolutely on trend but leading the way in their usual show-it-like-is-style, confident as always with a quality of finish that most can only envy.  We love it.  Its freezing cold in London right now so we made a video for those of you reading this in far more exotic places and cant get to see this scheme in person to enable you to experience it a little better than static images.  You have to forgive the shaky camera work as we were shivering while we captured this - but absolutely worth it.  The link: http://youtu.be/gQy_3ChcgCM  

Diptyque, Paris



Images Courtesy of Diptyque



If you happen to be along the Boulevard St. Germain then you must go and have a look at Diptyque.  We love the product at this brand so it is even more fortuitous that they have just launched Eau Rose and Rosa Mundi within an imaginary garden of ferns, ivy, tropical plants - a tropical paradise in the freezing weather, just wonderful.  The promotion only lasts until March so if you happen to be along St. Germain, and lets face it, this is the best place for shopping in the world, then do go in and enjoy this incredible experience.

On the Streets, Paris

On the Streets, Paris

Why really?

Fauchon, Paris

We love Fauchon here in Paris.  Wow, wow and wow.  The product here is so incredibly delicious that we could help ourselves and just had to make a few purchases of the absolutely on trend Gold tinned tea and and wonderful chocolates.  With hints of neon Pink giving this store the most welcome glow in the freezing cold, we passed it...reversed and crossed the threshold...made a few delicious purchases.  Job well done Fauchon.  The windows have these suspended chef-like-hat structures with move up and down, revealing the product underneath.....a little bizarre, but it grabbed our attention.

Paule Ka, Paris

Paule Ka is one of those brand we always associate with rich bored wealthy middle aged females, don't you think?  Strangely, the brand seem to make their own links between Parisian design and Hollywood glamour so we guess they are pitched just right.  It is a clearly well established and obviously has a following wealthy enough to keep it producing although visually we would have like to have seen a little more effort employed.  We're not sure about these mannequins hairstyles either though.  What do you think?

Bon Marche, Paris

We haven't always warmed to BonMarche in the past, although we love the food department here.  Anyway, with their slightly bizarre video windows we just had to share this with you.  We've uploaded a video of this scheme on You tube to see what you think?   http://youtu.be/IQwzEoCS6mY

John Galliano, Paris

Isn't John Galliano's work quite brilliant?  Sadly with his recent...ish bad press, we find ourselves being ever more philosophical - we are all human after all.  Ultimately we want to view the work he does and what is presented without bias or kindrance or allegiance to anyone in particular.  We tell it like it is, sometimes to our own detriment, but we have to say how much we love this mans work.  There you go.  We love it.  John Galliano's work is absolutely incredible and we are standing up and saying it loud and clear and while we don't condone his drunken personal views, we are putting them aside and showing you what we see also.  We never cease to be amazed by this mans creativity, which always seems endless - we must never stamp on a creative mind.  

Joseph, Paris

Strips of corrugated cardboard painted in White emulsion, stood on end and gently placed and 'voila' (as they say in these parts) and one has a luxury brand scheme.  We would have expected to see something a bit more luxurious but well, this does actually work incredibly well.  Remember the Margiela schemes of painted stacked suitcases and trunks?  Proof in some way that one doesn't always need huge budgets to produce window schemes (although don't say we said so for goodness sake)  Having said that of course, the product itself and the brand name are synonymous with luxury so maybe they don't need all of the bells and whistles that usually go with it?