Selfridges, London

Beyond the amazing Louis Vuitton installation here at Selfridges, we cant forget their incredible side windows too.  We adore these amazing paper props, the likes of which we haven't seen since Bergdorf Goodman launched their Christmas scheme in New York in 2000.  These out sized props are exquisitely produced in the most delicious colours in the form of giant pills, cosmetics and grooming stuff making for a stunning scheme all of their own.

Selfridges, London

We couldn't really begin this weeks' entries without including this scheme currently at Selfridges for Louis Vuitton.  We recently included this scheme which we viewed first in Beijing and Shanghai, and which of course we raved about, so to see a different version of this whole global phenomenon is quite incredible.  We're sure that you would have read all about it anyway, so we've decided to include some images which you may not have seen.  Of course, schemes like this have fantastic teams behind them working tirelessly  to produce this superb quality of installation and to us they are the unsung heroes who worked all day and all night to entertain us.  Many thanks guys...........we know some of you...;o)

Gola, London

For such a tiny store along London's Carnaby Street, Gola really make an effort to utilise and maximise this front window to produce something interesting using their products.  The latest one, naturally referencing the Olympic flame is particularly fun.  Capturing this window is always so difficult however because of the one very bright lamp which illuminates the whole space.  Their incredible efforts are enormously appreciated however.

Miu Miu, London

The use of the 'step' is usually in part a form of the pyramid which of course in turn forms part of product presentation dynamics. Here at this store situated on one of the corners of Bond street, the brand have extended the use of the step as a kind of narrative within the space suggesting perhaps a luxurious apartment-type environment.  We usually recommend that no more than three steps are used in any one environment but in this case it actually works quite well. However as this is more of a narrative, and a luxury brand, it is perhaps a little unnecessary to include so many products repeated, don't you think? 

Pull and Bear, London

Well, looks like the Balloon / Air trend that we predicted and mentioned months ago is still kicking in a treat.  We've seen it in London at Louis Vuitton, French Connection....and lots of other places, we saw it in Paris in January at Hermes and Dubai in April.  So.....here we have it.  Hopefully this is the end of it now.....lets move onto something else, eh?  There's only so many times we can flog this little pony to within an inch of its life.

Moschino, London

Is the mannequin sat in darkness on purpose?  We do try to love what Moschino do but we can only ever really just like it.......sort of.  They are inclined to use out sized products, which is fine and perhaps part of this brands personality, however, we are just not sure if the fact that we cant see the merchandise is deliberate?  Inside the lens of the camera is perched a beautifully dressed mannequin and we can just about see her.  Fine of course if this is an Art installation, but if a brand is selling a product, doesn't it need to be seen, desired......bought?  The light that you can see in the image below is the reflection from a street lamp on the fenestration.

Anthropologie, London

If there was a space where we could happily and simply move in to it would be the Anthropologie store along Regent street.  This brand oozes creativity and at every turn there is something which draws our attention and guides us through the space.  Amazing products and super friendly service that we just need to swing by soon and get some more home ware. (these bust forms aren't doing the product any favours though)

Banana Republic, London

Wow, London windows are looking so good right now and we absolutely love this scheme at Banana on Regent street.  We're often quite critical of this brand and we don't always like what they do (does it matter what we think anyway?), but hats off to these guys who have pulled off this scheme quite superbly.  We haven't noticed a trend in 'travel' as a leading theme recently but it is Summer time, it is holiday time so from a seasonal angle this is absolutely right for now.  Its glamorous, its fun and does what it does quite superbly.

French Connection, London

How good are French Connection looking?  It looks like that awful previous campaign has been dropped (thankfully?, hopefully? Remember.... I am handbag, You are Goat....kind of thing which had a bearded Scandinavian feel about it, and absolutely and completely nonsense) anyway, someone here appears to have gripped this puppy by the throat and these guys seem to be back on track, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off and looking damn good.  We did think that it was touch and go with this brand and its probably taken every ounce of energy to get here.  In the meantime,  we've seen a few of these large format vinyls at the entrance of stores in places such as the new Juicy store along Regent street and they do look cool, don't you think?  We love how this store along Oxford street looks right now and really glad to be able to stop by and be wowed.  Love it. 

Mulberry, London

The latest scheme at Mulberry really did bring a smile to our faces.  We adore these out sized 'Yeti' paws and feet (would a yeti's have paws and feet if they existed?)  Anyway, great fun.  We just wish that this store didn't have this awful security grille behind it which just destroys this scheme when the store is closed.  Nonetheless, these guys have difficult windows to work with and they've done a great job, don't you think?

Victorinox, London

We were drawn to the scheme here at Victorinox for a variety of reasons.  Firstly, because we like this sense of exhibition space that they have created here around such a tiny product which kind of promotes this sense of the show room rather than narrative.  We were also drawn in because of the Le Corbusier influenced (we are guessing) product here; we're huge fans of Le Corbusiers work.  It appears that we can customise our own product here which is quite a leap forward in product development at this brand and we thought that the only place we could do this currently is at Nike and their trainers (or sneakers if you're reading this stateside)  Anyway, an interesting concept nonetheless; make ours a Swiss Army Knitting Needle please with a bit that opens all doors and safety deposit boxes.

 

Liberty, London

Oh Liberty, we have missed the fun of your schemes and the superb quality of the out comes.  We cant help but be drawn to this store to see what they are doing.  We probably always say this but we always lament just a little the fact that they lost their main windows on Regent st.  However the guys here always manage to 'pull it out of the bag' and deliver a corker of a scheme.  Narrative, luxury and fun are key ingredients here mixed with a very, very clever and intelligent humour.  You just gotta love it; we do.

Intimissimi, London

At first glance walking along Oxford Street we sort of quite liked this scheme at Intimissimi.  On closer inspection....well......what can we say?  Look at the detail of the chandelier and maybe you can make up your own mind about this, although we know what you're thinking.....yep...cheap scheme.  The nauseating lacy chandelier did actually cause a little mini-sickness in our throats as we walked by.  Oh.....but what could have been done with this brand when there is so much out there on the high street to bench mark it against.  Well, Victoria's Secrets will open soon in the old Pringle store along Bond St. so these guys will really need to get their act together and wow us into their space....else remember La Senza?.  So, cu'mon guys chuck out that bloody awful cheap chandelier and get something rather more glamorous into the space?  We're just telling it like it is.