Aquascutum, London

Continuing with our RIBA theme here we have Aquascutum.  This scheme produced in conjunction with PPR Architects includes 'a cloud filled vista'.  'Vivid bursts from the seasons colour palette grow like clouds which have been created using a large lenticular'.  A coloured cloud backdrop then we guess?  

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Banana Republic, London

This is a very deliciously moody scheme at Banana right now and another brand taking part in the RIBA collaborations.  The installation by Make Architects 'unifies the key themes behind Banana Republic's AW collection with an optical illusion which enables the passers-by to experience two of the key product pillars taking shape through the complex geometrical forms as they move around the object' (yes, we're not quite sure what they mean either).  It does look so interesting though.

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Gant, London

We were rather stopped in our tracks when we saw this amazing scheme.  As you have seen over the passed few days' entries, London is looking fricking amazing at the moment and this scheme at Gant is no exception.  This is another collaboration with RIBA and in this case with the selected Architects Sybarite.  The installation drew inspiration from the 'hull of a boat morphed into a sculptural form to showcase an emerging human form.'  Collaborations are absolutely hot right now and generates perhaps much needed assurance that it breathes such new life into brands who appear to become less of a slave to the brand 'look'.  You look amazing guys.  

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Joseph, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright Joseph

Did you ever go and experience the Turner Prize nominee Roger Hiorns' Seizure installation here in London in 2009?  If you didn't or don't know about it then essentially a council flat (or apartment owned by a local authority if that makes sense to our international readers) was sealed with mostly all components within the interior remaining in tact then filled with a liquid which was left to solidify until if formed crystals (image at the bottom of this entry).   Even the bath and lighting were covered in the most intense Blue crystals which generated a fantastic experience similar to what we see here in the current and incredibly delicious scheme at Joseph.  You wont need the gloves and obligatory 'wellies' however to experience it.  OK, well we are making the connection here rather than where the scheme necessarily came from, but how vibrant and incredible is this scheme?  The installation in conjunction with the designer Mary Katrantzou and Harlequin-Design includes two characters, Tikiman and Clocktopia constructed from signs and signifier's that would probably have Ferdinand De Saussure reeling.  The Fashion Visual Merchandising benchmark just got a whole lot higher.   

Roger Hiorns' 'Seizure' installation, Elephant and Castle, London 2009

Copyright www.aqnb.com

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Brooks Brothers, London

Here's the first of the many collaborations between Architects and Retailers along Regent street here in the centre of it all.  'The concept draws on the story of the Golden Fleece from Antiquity (around 8th Century B.C.) and the historical symbol of wool merchants which has also formed part of the Brooks Brothers Branding since it began in 1850.  The installation comprises of two Golden fleece created from an incredible over 800 individually hand sculpted sheep suspended from Golden thread.  The one seen here has been delicately covered in Dutch Gold leaf and encased in a Golden box.  As you know, we are night time flaneurs so we missed the chalk sheep prints and the life sized cast bronze sheep outside the store although we will pass by shortly during the day to take another look.  In the meantime, do swing by and take a look.  Brooks Brothers has never looked so interesting.

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Louis Vuitton, London

Louis Vuitton have recently installed their incredible new scheme here at the Maison along Bond street.  Currently (and actually all of a sudden) there appear to be a mass of Architectural references within the latest schemes around town.  There is of course the incredible RIBA collaboration happening also right now as well as Tiffany's latest offering so clearly everyone is 'singing' from the same hymn sheet.  We will show you the RIBA collaborations over the next week or so.  In the meantime, while we're not entirely sure what this scheme is about there do appear to be references to Architecture / sailing / movement although its just a guess.

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Uniglo, London

We feel that we have gone back in time with this 'strand' theme here at Uniglo right now.  Using its technical term we would describe this as repetition of vertical lines of various colours (or in layman's terms, we've seen it all before).  The whole 'strand' theme travelled through its usual journey led by luxury brands down to mid-range retailers and then down to value two years ago and globally too.  Very odd to see this again Uniglo?

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Ermenegildo Zegna, London

Zegna always looks so incredibly sharp, shiny and every so slightly sparkly in a manly way.  We have seen a few hands being used in schemes recently (remember Selfridges promotion of Patron Tequila?)  Anyway, the hands here are holding the various tools to create their ever so sharp tailoring creating a narrative around the product.  A fairly simple scheme but it does what it does perfectly well. 

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Stella McCartney, London

We really try to be impressed with the schemes at this brand although we do find ourselves wrestling with it a little when we walk passed.  This scheme is certainly one of their better ones although motifs such as Stars really do turn us off immediately.  The concept itself consists of several layers which at a certain view point join together to complete the image.  Great concept but really.....Stars.....really?

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Moschino, London

We couldn't imagine dressing in a Hershey Bar, McDonalds wrapper or carrying a Sponge Bob purse ourselves but we guess there is a market for this stuff.  The schemes at Moschino can be a little hit or miss at times although this one with its giant shopping basket is rather fun and we couldn't think of a bad word to say about it really.  Although of course, if we were then the mannequin on the right is facing the interior wall of the window space rather than facing the footfall flow; but we wont mention it.

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Warehouse, London

There is such an incredible breath of life being blown into this brand that we ourselves were rather blown away and in awe of the work produced here by the clearly talented Nathan King and Laura Warden-Brown.  These guys really do know their customer and with this store providing stunning merchandise, a VIP area, beautifully designed fitting rooms that we would kill to live in and an overall New York loft apartment feel provided just for you here in the centre of it all; a visit is a must.  The windows contain stunning and perfectly sculptured figures covered in recycled paper, a city skyline free standing backdrop internally illuminated and punctuated with interchangeable pegs of wood and perspex. Everything is so well thought through that it hurts.  Are we gushing?  Damned right.  Go and experience for yourself on Oxford Street, London.

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Pull & Bear, London

We have to admit to you that we have been struggling to find much innovation happening right now (although the RIBA collaborations appear to be kicking in thankfully).  We are kind of in an 'in between' scheme moment; Summer is nearly over, Back To School has been happening in some instances and we are teetering on Christmas schemes so who knows if anyone will do anything in the meantime.  Pull and Bears generic scheme is not particularly inviting or enticing but this is what's there right now.  Sigh.

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J Crew, London

There is a certain energy emerging from this brand which is making us feel a little more warmth towards it than previously and defrosting our contempt; well just a little, we still aren't keen on generic global brands.  The guys here are obviously working really hard to produce schemes and we can only applaud and encourage that.  Here we have, well envelopes in a repetition format in various colours really.  OK, its not amazingly original but some thought has gone into this scheme and we are grateful for the effort to entice us and draw us in.  Those bust forms are doing you no favours however.

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