Dior, London

We've been seeing this 'flight' and 'space' theme happening around town a lot recently and here at Dior its all about the seaplane.  Yeah.....we don't know why either.  Anyway, apart from the wiggy looking wigs (do the same team dress Chanel?) it works beautifully from a tonal perspective, but apart from that.......ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz................next (not the brand of course) 

Anthropologie, London

Ooohhh we do love a bit of Anthropologie.  We are always stunned at what these guys do and their re-use of old materials in order to produce such exciting schemes.  Here we have several layers perfectly spaced and focusing on our eyes on the scene beyond.  Why cant more companies adopt their working methodology?  This localises creativity and really does put the Art and Design back into windows.  We love it.

Brunello Cucinelli

We don't think we have ever included this shrinking violet of a brand just around the corner from the obnoxious smelling Aber-Zombie store (which always looked so much better as the Jil Sander store, albeit for just a very short time).  Anyway, we love this kind of mood board of a scheme at this store; this is particularly interesting.  OK, well some of the drawings are.......well.......crap really and a little embarrassing to show the world...... and so hilariously shamelessly too......... we're gasping in amazement and amusement.  Golden rule Number......'something'......never show what you cant do.  

Liberty, London

Well, its that time of year again.  Christmas really does creep around so quickly doesn't it?  We've been dying to see what Liberty would do and here we have it.  All aboard the Liberty Express.  Corny we know but anyway, we love the glitz and glamour oozing from these windows.  Fantastic.  

Ozwald Boatang, London

We aren't entirely sure how we feel about the presentation at this brand.  We want to love it, but it doesn't really do anything to lift our boredom of men's suits.  Still, they've given it a whirl and thankfully at least we have something to look at?

Dorothy Perkins, London

Images courtesy and Copyright SFD

Wow, who would have thought that the brand Dorothy Perkins would actually look so cool?  We are quite stunned at this transformation.  We rarely include these guys and tend to give it a wide berth as we like to seek out the less ordinary.  However, hands up, this brand looks incredible, don't you think?.......whats that?  But its the Kardashians.  Well, yes, but you know what, it works and works well.  Its still a bit of a shame that the brand is called what it is and the 'mother ship' have considered a brand name change over the years as it is so incredibly dated (maybe there is an opportunity now?).  That said of course, if they are making it all work then fantastic.  Well done guys, you have done an amazing job with this tired old gal of a brand and it really is stunning. 

Hobbs, London

OMG, WTF is going on with Hobbs?  Oh we do wish that these guys would raise their standards, in fact we are sending you guys creative vibes as we type.  This is just too awful to even comment, isn't it?  We've decided to include this brand in the hope that someone somewhere within the brand reads this and grabs this frumpy 'ole puppy by the throat.  We've all said sayonara to the likes of 'Woolies', the Pier, Barratts and so on.  Will this brand be one of those where we all say, 'Oh do remember Hobbs? maybe not, but in the meantime guys, do you really think anyone is going to steal merchandise from your windows? (remove the tag.....the jacket is not hand spun by nuns in Utopia, is it?)
 

Juicy Couture, London

Whats going on with Juicy these days?  They launched in London quite some time ago and looked so incredibly exciting, but now look like a suburban retailer that has no cash to spend and have moved into an old DIY retail space in a very dodgy part of town.  Of course this can be cool if you happen to stock luxury brands, but this market stall approach just undermines what they do well.  It seems obvious that no-one is looking after this brand in London; indicative by the lack of retail standards also.  How long does it really take to put the vacuum cleaner around such a tiny space?

Cos, London

Cos is looking so hot right now.  With each scheme we are drawn back again and again.  Clearly there is someone here very creative looking after this brand.  Look at the fabulous detail and the thinking behind the simplicity of this scheme.  That said of course, the backdrop is hanging like the old laundry at our local dry cleaners.  If these guys get the finish right (and dust occasionally) they would look brilliant.  Don't you think?  Creativity is in place, possibly staff development in understanding the importance of presentation is in dire need? 

Church's, London

Have you noticed how cool Church's shoes has become lately?  We're loving the product here and definitely going to pop by and take a closer look.  We always enjoy the Britishness of this brand and they do occasionally produce a great presentation.  However, would someone tell them that the Olympics are over?  Come on guys, you're looking great but lets get rid of the references to sports? 

Timberland, London

Wow, we love the direction that Timberland is taking right now.  We've been  looking at this brand for quite some time and they are clearly becoming stonger and stronger visually which is a great sign for such a large global multiple brand.  We dont underestimate how hard it is to keep on top of the 'visual' of such a massive company so this is paticularly great to see.

Biba Exhibition, Brighton, UK

 

Wow, have you been to see the Biba Exhibition yet at Brighton's Museum and Art Gallery?  This incredible retrospective of one of the UK's movers and shakers of yesteryear and current Miami, (USA) interior design guru has to be seen.  We savoured every moment and talked to some incredible people who were actually there and who shared their fantastic memories of the coolest place to shop, possibly ever?  Anyway, the dark cavernous shop which apparently smelled of a mixture of bodies and marijuana was one of the first places where communal changing rooms became cool and boyfriends actually shared the experience.  The stores blasted out the sounds of the times and celebrities endorsed their products during this 'Peacock revolution'.  It is always romantic reflecting on these times, but.........we want to go back again and again.  A huge thank you to those who shared their amazing memories of this period.

 

Stella McCartney, London

We really do crave to love this brand, but as always, it remains as dull as ever.  No personality and no 'apparent' effort.  Sadly a reflection of contemporary 'celebrity' name society where 'crap' (allegedly of course) really does always float to the top.  Whats that?.......Does no one ever sweep the floor anymore and earn their stripes?  Clearly no.