Asprey, London

We love the narratives behind the products which have been created here.  We're not huge fans of brand spanking new products as we do like things to have some kind of history behind  them which makes them just that little bit more interesting, don't you think?  Vintage is one of our favourite....would one say angle?  or perspective?  As its not a movement or period?  But anyway,  we do love to surround ourselves with things which are either useful of beautiful and to wonder who owned something previously and what kind of life it may have had before us.  Well, Asprey have created these wonderful one liners around the products which give a fantastic sense of 'story' that we just cant help but want to step in and buy ourselves a little something gorgeous. 

Alexander McQueen, London

We haven't seen masses of creativity oozing from the windows of this brand recently, although the merchandise is so incredibly delicious, why fight with it?  The product of course is always so stunning and we love the details on the mannequins here.  Beautifully sculptural and of course works in perfect harmony with the panelled background and illuminated flooring.  Wonderful.

 

Esprit, London

We really quite like this Sale scheme at Esprit right now with its 'loft apartment' feel about it.  Gone are the usual piles of stuff that no-one wanted but bought anyway simply 'because it was a bargain' and here we have a rather more grown up scheme and rather more sophisticated installation, simply and effectively produced we think, don't you?

Clarks, London

Remember Clarks?  Sensible school shoes that you were never ever going to look cool in?  Well, not anymore.  Someone here has gripped this 'Hush Puppy brand' by the throat and shaken it into the 21st Century and they are looking ever more cool and interesting.  OK, well the Sale scheme is a version of their Christmas one only with 'Sale' added, but we can forgive that one (well almost).  The Gold could have gone a nice shade of Crimson, but we wont mention it.  We cant wait to see what these guys do next in 2013 (but lets not use these trees again, eh?)

Hackett, London

Hackett really were a  fantastic visual brand throughout 2012 for menswear and very brave.  We've loved what they've done.  Entertainment, wonderful humour and slick presentations.  What more could we ask for?  Its very, very unusual for brands to say who works with them, most appear very coy when a scheme appears and usually take all kudos so its great to see that Harlequin Design get some credit and so publicly at their store along Regent street.

Calvin Klein, London

We haven't stopped by this Calvin Klein store along Regent street for a while as they don't always do anything very interesting.  The NYC store of course is rather more conceptual and always draws us in to take a closer look and we often wish that this store would do something along the same lines - but they don't.  But, anyway, we love the repetition of these mannequins wearing the same outfits and this huge big 'Sale' sign which has to be seen as it is actually quite unusual when seen from different angles.  In store, as with everyone else out there, digital is big.  Big screens are everywhere at the moment, so lets hope that they have thought about the content and the cost of changing it frequently in order to keep those regular customers entertained.

Cos, London

We just love the thinking behind this scheme.  So bloody simple it hurts.  Thankfully, this is one brand that have removed their Christmas scheme and not simply kept it in and added a Sale vinyl with lights still-a-blinging in the background; there's nothing worse than Christmas schemes after Christmas. Anyway, we also love the strap line "We're emptying our rails so that you can fill yours".  So much better than the usual 'Can you please buy all the crap we have left that no-one else wants please, in odd sizes that fit no-one so that we can move on to the next batch of stuff we need to shift', don't you think?.....;o).

Desigual, London

After what feels like months away from freezing London we're back....!  Sadly its dreaded Sale time here, and no sooner had the wheels touched the runway from what now feels like an exotic climate we've been out an about to at least find some interesting schemes here to share with you.  Thankfully, Desigual rarely disappoint us and even though it is this hideous no-mans land-of-window-schemes-time-of-year they always make an effort to bring a bit of humor to the high street.  Thank goodness for Desigual, eh?

On the Streets, Marrakech

Marrakech is possibly one of the last cities on earth that doesn't have a Zara, H&M, Gap or countless other brands on every high street and therefore this is an oasis of unique experiences.  OK, well, the visual merchandising is not exactly the best in the world, and neither is the merchandising.  However, it is so refreshing to view and experience good old fashioned retailing.  The bartering aspect takes some time to get used to as do the dramatics of the retailers, but once you get past this, it is quite a spectacle to be a part of.  What is always so interesting about these kinds of places however is why is the same stuff repeated countless times?  There is certainly a fairly limited market here but how many rugs, teapots and Gold coloured decorative trays can one realistically own?  And don't get us started on the mountains of Moroccan slippers.  If only these guys would inject a little more 'design' into what is presented here and thought into how they can differentiate themselves from each other  then it would perhaps appeal to a broader market.  This is of course easier said than done and through our conversations with so many of the retailers here, many of whom admitted that they have no idea how to use a computer it is perhaps understandable and the charm of what they do and how they do it would only be lost forever so in some ways its better not to tinker with it and just enjoy.

The Red House, Marrakech

In the name of research, of course, we found ourselves at the delicious Red House here in Marrakech.  The intention was to view the belly dancers, although sadly they telephoned in sick.  Whadda the chances of that happening, eh?  Anyway, after attempting to entice the waiters to put on the show themselves, much to their amusement and our visions of Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams in one of their 'Carry On' films popping into our minds with big hairy bellies hanging over their coin rattling harem pants, they politely declined.  Still, customer service is at its best here, the atmosphere is gentle and if you need an evening to just chill then you could do no worse than bask in this sumptuous place. 

Cosy Bar, Marrakech

With the heat, dust and dirt of the Medina cutting in the back our throats we found ourselves swinging by the Cosy Bar (research, honest..!)  This gorgeous place with its mix of contemporary and traditional decor is quite spectacular.  The service here is a little surly and slow, but like everywhere else in Marrakech free WiFi is always available.  Based just around the corner from the Bahia Palace this is a great pit stop with amazing views of the cranes nesting nearby with sounds of Buddha Bar gently playing in the background and more scouring for interesting things in the markets below.

Bahia Palace, Marrakech

Having spent hours dodging the incredibly manic traffic here in Marrakech we've decided to find some peace at the Bahia Palace.  The streets here in Morocco are so busy and any sense of order appears to be beyond our comprehension, although there is clearly a rhythm to it and we just need to adjust our western views to the way it all works.  After continual gasps from near misses of other cars while in taxis and people on mopeds weaving down the tiny alley ways just brushing gently past us at high speed, donkeys pulling carts and kids going to school, with a sprinkling of westerners all simultaneously trying to squeeze through the same tiny spaces it is quite amazing how no-one seems to get hurt, but it appears to work.  Anyway, we wanted to have a look at the incredible craftsmanship here at the palace, from fret work, Iron work to mosaics.  Its a shame that this space is unfurnished as the life appears to have been sucked out of it, but we guess its probably partly our (as in Westerners generally) for buying it all in the first instance while this developing country has been hanging by a gossamer thread in its attempt to haul itself out of poverty.

Les Jardins Marjorelle, Marrakech

No visit to Marrakech would be complete without a visit to Les Jardins Marjorelle.  There are a plethora of images on the Internet of this place and tonnes of information available if you do a search so we wont write a lengthy description of this place.  But suffice to say it is rather stunning.  This particular shade of Blue of course looks absolutely magical in the Moroccan daylight and can be viewed in pockets all around the city.  Set  on the the Rue Yves St. Laurent and containing his memorial, this place is pure inspiration.  We may actually include some of the images in our first book which is being published later this year.  There is also, rather strangely a Berber exhibition attached to this house at the back.  Be warned however not to try and take images inside.  We did try and were well and truly busted by security with demands of 'Delete, delete, delete'.  Ah well, all in a days work.