Topshop, London

WOW, have you seen the RIBA collaborations with retailers along here in London's west end yet?  We've been to see them all and this year they really are quite spectacular.  We will of course show you each one this week in more detail just in case you cant get there yourself and so we began with the now iconic Topshop store at Oxford Circus with their incredible colour wheel installation by the Architects Neon.  The wheel itself is moveable (although not by the passing footfall) and really does work so incredibly well, don't you think?  It does remind us of a potentially deleted and sugar coated scene from the film Hellraiser which makes it slightly more sinister, however, it is s refreshing to see these collaborations happening and produced so beautifully. 

Etro, London

We really wanted to love what this brand produce, and they have actually produced some incredible schemes recently.  Unfortunately this one reminds us of one of those childhood visits to see the awful crap museum dioramas where the stuffed animals look rather dusty, moth eaten (and still do) and the neanderthal humans grimace slightly unhinged and menacingly and should have been locked up somewhere safe away from the general public, probably behind bars.  Of course those visits never lived up to our expectations, having been illustrated with Disneyfied images which in turn were exaggerated in our minds eye and reinforced by the fibbers who write glossy marketing pamphlets.  This was only ever going to lead to enormous lifelong disappointment and possible emotional scarring.  We will get over it eventually.  Cutting through it all, we wish some time, effort and money had been given to this scheme. 

Tiffany, London

As ever, the presentation at Tiffany is beautifully delivered and perfectly glamorous with references to either times long gone or maybe references to a society to which we are not a part?  It is a difficult scheme to describe beyond the obvious, so we wont simply tell you what you are looking at, so, anyway the props are beautifully made and as ever and it does what it does.

Hugo Boss, London

We weren't initially overwhelmed by this scheme although it has grown on us over the months that it has been in place.  What is particularly interesting about this scheme is the move, whether by default or design we are not sure, to sustainability, albeit perhaps a tiny nod, but a nod nonetheless.  This scheme was previously a swimming pool scenario  all of which has been removed and this gorgeous Blue background kept in place in front of which this nautical theme, which clearly appears to be on trend right now (again) has been installed.  Although our preferences don't lay with anything nautical this scheme does look super slick, don't you think?

Pull and Bear, London

We're not entirely sure how we feel about this scheme?  It says holidays, its says Summer time.  Its not a terrible scheme, just ordinary and rather bland for this brand who usually produce some interesting schemes, don't you think?

Forever 21, London

Hmmmmmmm............what do you think of this scheme here at Forever 21?  We want to like it (although no chance of ever loving this one we're afraid) and while this 'laggard' brand is doing exactly as it should, i.e. to be at the end of the cycle of 'diffusion' and while we do recognise the trend here it really is sadly weak by comparison to most brands pitched at this level and who have followed the same trend. Are we being mean?

Warehouse, London

If one glances around town right now there's a good indication that Summer is on its way.  From Tiffany to Topshop and across to Mulberry and Warehouse, floral 'stuff' in all of their permutations are almost covering their window spaces.  This scheme here of course is particularly effective with just about everything repeated from the product itself.  This is also a brave move by this mid range retailer and a good indication of the confidence they they have in their product but also so refreshing to finally see some differentiation from their competitors, don't you think?.

VM and Display Show, 2013

Have you been to see the VM and Display show here in London yet?  If not we thought we would share our edit and a few of our favourite bits from the show.  Fantastic illuminated signage, mannequins in every finish possibly imaginable. materials, lighting and design companies are amongst the multiples of suppliers to the retail industry showing here this year.  There is a fantastic vibe at the show and we've only seen part of it, so we certainly will be going back later to take another look.

Desigual, London

If you are looking for Sex, Fun and Love (we assume in any order for your preference) then do pop down to Desigual along Oxford Street.  This cheeky little window space really does earn its 'right; on the high street and is always such incredibly good fun too.   The tourists were being drawn in by the dozen; job well done then we think.

Hackett, London

If you happen to be along Regent street here in the centre of all things retail then do look out for the schemes in conjunction with RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).  Apart from the 'RIBA' schemes, there's  little else very exciting happening apart from this little corker at Hackett.  We always mention how dull menswear presentations generally are around the world, so its always refreshing to look out for the fun narratives that these guys produce and deliver so superbly well, don't you think?  Here in their 'apartment' style presentation, each space contains its own narrative of the various activities one would expect to find while still promoting the product.  Great fun and the passing footfall are loving it.

Molinard, Grasse

If you happen to be exploring the French Riviera then you must pop over to the town of Grasse.  At the bargain price of just 1 Euro (we have a feeling we are being seriously mugged in London) we made the pilgrimage on the bus for one and a half hours to the centre of the perfume industry.  Want to develop your own scent? then this is the place to come.  Thank goodness for the Internet that were able to discover this clearly hidden place where we're sure the best brands in the world must come to develop their signature scents and clearly keep it a secret.  Molinard is by far our favourite place which just like the other perfume houses oozes history dating back centuries.  The whole process of perfume making can be explored here with every perfume house containing this wonderful Copper equipment which squeezes out every last bit of juice from their flowery friends.  It truly is an amazing experience for sure.

VM and Display Show, London

Just a few days left to register before the show.  Don't forget that you can register here by clicking the link on the right hand side of this page.

Louis Vuitton, Nice

During our final few days here in possibly the most wonderful part of France, we naturally have to include the brand at the forefront of creativity.  We have seen this scheme in various places along the French Riviera so naturally we should include them with their fantastic spider web concept in front of which the merchandise is presented.  Isn't this great fun and very simple, ticking all of the boxes beautifully.