Victorinox, London

We were actually genuinely very surprised so see this scheme at Victorinox for the Jubilee celebrations.  This was such a pleasant surprise, considering most brands along Bond st., here in London completely missed the opportunity to reach out to potential customers.  Anyway, these guys have shown us what they really are capable of and we love it.  With their giant cake, sponge finger lettering with the whole scheme complete with tea party, these guys have got it so right.  We are so bored with large format graphics with a few nice mannequins attached and we are keeping our (sponge) fingers crossed that these guys will keep bringing entertainment back to the high street.  Brilliant guys.

Liberty, London

With all of the Jubilee celebrations around town right now, London is looking very cool.  Retailer after retailer got into the spirit and celebrated this once in a lifetime (unless like us, you intend to live forever) occasion.  We always love schemes at Liberty and this one was no exception.  We think, given the choice and in an ideal world all of these windows would have been screaming Jubilee, but sadly only this one.  Still, this is a little taste of how brilliant these guys are and as usual produced with wonderful humour sadly missing everywhere else on the high street.

Alessi, London

We couldn't not stop and capture this scheme at Alessi right now.  We're not sure why we've actually not included them before here, but anyway, we adored the humour of this scheme, which like so many around town right now have absolutely captured the moment.  Their signature bottle openers (there is probably a better name for them) have been dressed as if part of the Royal Regiment.  A wonderfully fun scheme which brought a smile to our faces and drew us in.

BHS, London

After very spectacular Jubilee celebrations here in London, and we guess (?) street parties around the country, the scheme at BHS right now is absolutely spot on in capturing the zeitgeist of their clientele.  We can hardly believe we have included these guys so much recently, although they are doing some amazing stuff and this too should be celebrated.  Thank you guys, you have captured the moment perfectly.

Desigual, London

We absolutely love the Jubilee scheme at Desigual right now.  Superb.  It is a tricky one to capture because the vinyl completely covers the fenestration and therefore blurs the image.  Anyway, it doesn't really matter as the guys here have produced a wonderful scheme which is absolutely suited to the current occasion.  Even though its raining here in London right now this scheme really does lift our spirits and makes us feel all British.  Fantastic guys..!

Selfridges, London

If you want to bring a smile to your face and see retail store windows at their very best, then look no further than Selfridges here in London.  The current scheme celebrates the best, and pokes fun at the worst bits of British culture in the most hilarious way.  If you cant view all of these windows for yourself, this is such a shame as we are only able to share a glimpse with you here. 

Theatrical and fun, this scheme is pure brilliance and everyone is talking about them.  Happy Jubilee...!

Guess, London

We had no idea that 'Guess' were 30 years old already.  We're not massive believers in global branding ourselves (in case you hadn't 'Guess'ed') and so are not this brands' No.1 fan, nor fans of brands like it.  Large format graphics prevail, mediocre merchandise presented badly and VM teams who just don't understand how to group mannequins who incidently are in Rootstein's Body Gossip Collection stance (unless these are very clever references to the pending Olympics - or Miss. World, but we doubt it); but then how could one from a manual sent from a far away place?  Need we suffer bad retail much longer or will brands like this become part of our now quite extensive archives of the ways we used to shop?  Discuss....

French Connection, London

Well, hands up, how cool is French Connection looking?  We're still a little nervous about commenting on the 'Fashion' delivered by this brand as so many of you say to us that this brand produces the same 'ole stuff year after year.  However, while the brand campaign remains a little dubious and quite honestly a bit of an 'in joke' that no-one gets.......and no-one does?  do they?  The campaign is a little bit like Fine Art paintings of the 18th Century, i.e. only understood by the privileged few; No-one got it but it looked quite good and was so expensive so it must be good, right?  No.  In the meantime, these guys are clawing their way back to the high street yet home ware is looking actually very cool.  This is absolutely on trend, it looks hot and if we were working with this brand we would really push this rather than position this off the high street.  As we don't work for French Connection we can only stand from a wide perspective and watch with clenched buttocks at how these guys are paddling their way back to the surface to keep afloat.  We've really lost confidence in this brand unfortunately.  Home ware looks amazing;  can someone apply the same approach to the Fashion and get rid of this awful campaign?   We know you read these entries French Connection; We are the Bloggers, we are telling it like it is.

Graduate Fashion Shows, 2012

If you weren't at this graduate fashion show last night, where were you?  Students from Southampton Solent University (yeah, how amazing are these guys..!) showed their latest offering as part of 'Free Range' in this Uber cool area of Brick lane.  Presenting collections and utilising a range of fabric types (we particularly loved the laser cut wood accessories) they incorporated diverse themes from 'Immortality of Sentiment' to collections wonderfully named 'East meets West'. With a stunning show, it really does communicate how exciting things are outside of London. We only seem to leave London on a plane these days, probably just like so many other Londoners; so, it is refreshing to see Southampton firmly stamp their place on the Fashion scene.  These guys clearly worked incredibly hard to put this show together and it looks like Southampton grads. are truly rocking. 

You must also try and get yourself a copy of the publication 'Third Floor' too.  With contributions from the likes of David Downtown, Alex Knox, Rob Templeman, Terry Mansfield, Nikita Karizma......and well....ahem......Jonathan Baker. You simply must have a copy as part of your personal collection. Contact www.3rdfloorpublication.co.uk and order yourself a copy....do it right now.

Gant, London

With the Queen's Jubilee just a few days away, stores around town are nearly all sporting the Union flag (apart from a luxury brands who are clearly above all this malarkey).  Anyway, it all looks very patriotic and actually quite moving.  We don't remember an occasion that looked this involved.  Anyway, Gant has joined the celebrations also and looking very cool.  We love the Red, White and Blue street scene and the small showcase windows of course apply the usual dynamics.  Job well done we thought.

Anthropologie, London

We love the giant sunflowers at Anthropologie in their Regent St.'s store right now.  These guys are so incredibly creative and produce schemes which are just delicious, reusing, recycling and injecting masses of fun.  We could happily live in this store as it oozes the creativity we would love to see everywhere else on the high street, however the philosophy is quite unique with this brand and they always get it so wonderfully 'right'.  We are amazed that the brand is celebrating 60 years however as it is so vibrant and young but we know that they have the best people in place in order to maintain this.

Louis Vuitton, London

Louis Vuitton's new London scheme has arrived.....hurrah...!  Wow, well here you go, here's a snapshot from the amazing Maison along Bond st., and we have a scheme of levitating mannequins, spinning hoops and rabbits galore.  We love the gorgeous new colours of the luggage too;  we must have one.  We've been dying to see what the guys here would do next, trying on occasion to peer behind the blinds and here we have it,  Retail Store Windows at their very best. 

Asprey, London

New scheme coming from Asprey.......looking very exciting.  We cant wait to see the end result.