Cos, London

We're beginning to see a whole series of 'Benjamin-Button-Visual Merchandising-type' scenario's happening around town right now which is most odd.  Topshop is referencing Memphis and Mondrian, Hilfiger and Juicy are doing Nautical and Cos are doing this dip-dyed effect again (bottom image).  We do love what these guys are doing but not so long ago (actually Summer 2010) they were dip dying their mannequins in Blue.  Whats going on guys.....we were all leaping so far forward and now we seem to be going into reverse?

BHS, London

Louis Vuitton one day BHS the next.....what a contrast...!  We have to confess that BHS (or British Homes Stores, for those of you reading this around the world) is not the first place that we would come  to look for home ware. For those of you in the UK, is it yours?  Possibly not.  However, how incredibly sexy and delicious does this look?  The colours and textures look amazing, we love the wood and the concrete plinths (are they concrete? who knows, but they look it) and the fantastic urban feel of this scheme makes everything look wonderfully desirable.  Get ya'self down to your local store we reckon and check this stuff out.  Job well done we'd say.  (Oh...and we love the reference to Valentines-ish....without a damned bloody awful heart motif in site..!  See, it can be done.)

Louis Vuitton, London

We're always so excited when a new Louis Vuitton scheme is implemented and judging by our stats., on Louis -Vuitton-entry-day, it seems so are you..!  Anyway, here's a couple of snippets for you to whet your appetites.  Of course, there's nothing better than seeing this in the 'flesh' so wherever you are in the world, it may already be at your local store.  Big Balloons and Big Bling......these guys tell everyone else what they should be doing, don't they?

Fenwicks, London

What on earth is happening at Fenwicks?  One minute we couldn't even give them a cursory glance and now we cant wait to see what they do next; and just keep coming back to get our fix.  These guys are looking hotter than ever and we have no idea who's behind it all but we must say guys, you look fantastic.  Someone has breathed new life into this dinosaur-of-a-brand, gripped it by the 'you-know-whats', and fiercely so.  We love it and couldn't wait to share it.  We were going to show you the new Louis Vuitton scheme as they have just recently installed which we want to share but they've had to move down the bench. We will show you what they are doing sometime this week.  Brilliant team Fenwicks. (we haven't shown the whole scheme here so please do go and look for yourself.....we love the optical illusions..!)

London Visual Merchandising Talent Search

If you have been itching for a career in Visual Merchandising then here's a fantastic opportunity for you..!

RedBorder Ltd. are a specialist consultancy and recruitment service to the retail sector and they are launching a London-wide talent search for the most creative and best Visual Merchandisers in London to become part of the UK’s first VM Squad and work with a wide array of retailers on our high streets.

If you live in one of London's boroughs and would like to be one of the lucky 33 selected to become part of the RedBorder VM Squad you have to apply and submit your submission via Facebook.  Nominees from each borough will be shortlisted and the most talented, creative submissions will be voted by the public.

Deborah Millington, Director of RedBorder Ltd said, “We are constantly searching for the best Visual Merchandising talent for the future. This talent search allows the best in London to showcase their skills and become one of the elite Visual Merchandisers in the country”.

As a member of the RBVM Squad you will be part of a team that will work with a variety of retailers to execute their Visual Merchandising strategy throughout the year.  

So, to become part of the exclusive RBVM 

Squad, candidates need to:

Submit a copy of your resume

Have 3 accompanying photos of your most recent work

In no more than 100 words state why you should represent their borough as a Visual Merchandiser

Last date for entries is, 5.00pm, 15th March 2013

Public voting will take place between the 23rd  - 29th March

For full terms and conditions, visit https://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/311820  If you have any further questions please:  Email: info@redborder.co.uk or Tel: 020 7100 4052 

Selfridges, London

SSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhh............!

Moschino, London

Oh you know we can't resist a good old fashioned giggle at this brands expense.  Beyond that, our lips are sealed and we'll let you make up your own minds about what you think.

Juicy Couture, London

There appears to be a nautical theme happening around town......again.  Clearly these are product led schemes; the one at Hilfiger isn't much more exciting.  Anyway, the fashion industry appears to have run out of new ideas as this theme seems to crop every single year and hey presto, dust of the life savers and the scheme is done.  Sigh.  Its all looking so tired right now out there.

Berluti, London

We hadn't realised what a huge brand these guys are until we saw the incredible installation in Harrods windows last year.  It was quite spectacular.  Of course here with their tiny windowed store along Conduit st. they are limited with what they can do, but they always appear to make an effort; thankfully.  This is a fun little scheme using these new vintage-like toy cars to show their products.  These guys clearly know the future trends so even in its simplicity this is one to watch.

Salvatore Ferragamo, London

We're not always gripped by what this brand does as there's never really anything exciting coming from these windows on Bond street here in London.  However, this scheme does provide us with a good example of one of the product handling dynamics which is often hard to reference.  Gravity.  Essentially this refers to product which has been suspended.  Anyway, adding a little something a bit more interesting would have drawn us in sooner although we are desperately dodging in between Sales schemes and the dreaded yet inevitable pending heart motifs which will soon cover most of the West End.  So needs must.

Belstaff, London

As everything becomes digital around us it is so interesting to see schemes such as this one at Belstaff referencing what is quite a nostalgic technique.  Its not quite an animatronic scheme but there is clearly a motor placed inside this window in order to drive this huge propeller   We haven't seen this technique for quite some time so it is quite refreshing.  We're not sure whether everything will revert back to 'oscillations and indexing' or even retailers adopting those turntables from retail of yesteryear, but then stranger things have happened.

Hermes, London

We are beginning to see the emergence of one of the key trends this year; Horses.  Rocking, hobby, possibly stuffed? but they are coming.  How stunning does Hermes look in all its simplicity?  The colours are incredible, we already know that the product is exceptional beyond belief and all presented in this short narrative scheme.  The narrative of course is whatever we want it to be.  

Clarks, London

Its freezing cold here in London and even though there's snow and ice on the ground we've been out there looking at what you have all be up to.  Well, would ya look at Clarks, eh?  Thankfully new schemes are gradually filtering through and in such blinding colour too (well here anyway).  If ever there was a need to bring something exciting that doesn't refer to Valentine's then its now.  We have seen a few gems out there which we will be sharing with you all week.