Mellerio Dits Meller, Paris

Images Courtesy and Copyright http://www.bedandy.fr/

There is always such a wonderful feel to Parisian stores which makes us travel back and forth as regularly as we can when time allows.  When images are shared with us, how wonderful for us to post here and show you too.  Mellerio dits Meller dates back a staggering 400 years and thankfully still in its original family ownership (apparently the last one too) and under the careful curatorship of Emilie Mellerio, 15th generation...!  Wow, this is stuff of history books;  the knowledge, legacy and authenticity of this quiet brand is simply mind blowing.  Using Black gloved hands in a repetition format demonstrating their stunning jewellery, the scheme by those clever guys at http://www.bedandy.fr is just incredible.  If you happen to be in Paris and along the Rue de la Paix then do swing by, take a closer look and simply breathe in and absorb the centuries of history and those who have gone before you at their one and only store.

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Tom Ford, London

We often pass by here and of course we adore this brand by the fabulous Tom Ford.  Every single detail is considered to the microscopic millimetre and it shows.  Large format graphics reflect the product in this instance within their window scheme.  OK, not very revolutionary or even actually particularly innovative but it just somehow looks so damned good.

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Harvey Nichols, London

We really do adore the gritty urban London feel that this brand seems to always get so right.  It continually oozes the creativity that makes this amazing city so appealing to those on the outside of it and generates a kind of intangible desirability which draws 'them' in.  This week at Harvey Nichols the store has a kind of cyber/robot-like fashion feel about it. Quite manic looking mannequins in a partially chromed finish and of course wearing the latest catwalk collections are strategically placed among coloured light boxes and flashing boxes with mannequins 'trapped' inside.  There is something a little unhinged and disturbing about this scheme although of course no one could ever accuse them of being ordinary.  We love that. 

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Dior, London

Is it just us or does this brand feel rather unloved?  We really do try and love what they do and they do of course occasionally produce some interesting schemes. but this one is possibly not their best?  We also often talk about the use of repetition of for example radiating forms, or repetition of shape, space, direction and so on as part of the product handling dynamics or use within a backdrop.  Although, we have to say that repetition of 'camel toe' is a new and wholly unfamiliar dynamic to us.

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Harrods, London

Have you seen  the latest installation at Harrods yet?  The brand who last week won best Christmas windows for 2013 and of course the lovely Sarah Southgate, Head of Windows at this store justly won the most innovative person currently in Visual Merchandising; so well deserved too for such a lovely person who we've spent many enjoyable hours with.  This latest installation is the Zegna AW15 scheme which is quite a corker.  The backdrop is a film projected onto a vast cinema scope screen from Stefano Pilati's concept for both the collection and the film which charts a precise stylistic journey which so perfectly captures Zegna's luxurious fabrics and classic tailoring. Frenetic images of a universal city, industrial, beautiful, technological and peaceful projections put this collection in context.

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VM and Display Awards 2014, London

Were you at the fantastic VM and Display Awards on Friday night?  If you missed it then you really did miss a treat.  With the fantastic and hilarious Gyles Brandreth hosting the evening this glamourous event at the Connaught rooms here in London was spectacular.  This years winners included:

Best Use of Instore graphic

Topshop - Kate Moss

Best Small Independent Window

Browns - Sping Fairground

Best Window Graphic

Harvey Nichols - Texty

Best International Window

Bloomingdales Dubai - Follow

Best Use of Mannequns in a multiple

Topman - Halloween

Best Windows in a multiple department store

Fenwicks

Best Instore VM solution

Debenhams -Floral

Best Sale Windows

Hackett

Best Christmas Windows in a multiple Department store

Marks and Spencer

Best Use of Mannequins in an Independent

Harvey Nichols - Outline

Best Instore branding

Levis

Best Store Concept

Topman Personal Shopping

Most Outstanding feature / prop

Vertu in Selfridges

Best Christmas Interior

Topshop - Cherry Blossom

Best Christmas window in a  multiple

Karen Millen

Best windows in a multiple

Joseph - Lace

Best Christmas Windows in an independent

Harrods

Best windows in an independent

Selfridges - Patron

Most Innovative person in VM

Sarah Southgate @Harrods

Ralph Lauren, London

At Ralph Lauren we can see additional references to Architecture to ones that we've spotted around town recently and included for you.  And, how incredibly elegant and sexy does this installation look.  We are rather in awe of this scheme and its 'photo shoot' quality.  Enormous Architectural structures and swathes of fabric dominate this scheme with beautifully illuminated mannequins at the centre wearing their latest collection.

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Fendi, London

If you want to see beautiful presentation then luxury brands are usually the best places to go and view.  We've seen quite a few of these paper aeroplane installations around town recently as well as of course the architectural references so these are certainly the key trend areas right now.  Fendi's beautiful installation using a repetition format in two tones with out sized props is certainly one of the best ones we've seen.

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Levis, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright Lucky Fox

As part of their latest campaign Levis have created an installation celebrating their iconic products where anyone can share their own stories of how they 'live in Levis'.  Stylists and bloggers across cities such as here in London, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam were asked to curate the spaces which feature huge rotating panels and a range of mannequins on plinths to showcase the campaign imagery.  Great to see such clever and interesting innovation on the high street.

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Canali, London

We have to be honest with you that Golf really isn't at the top of our list of things to be excited about although we do recognise that others of you might be and we are guessing there must be some people out there or at least somewhere who will appreciate this scheme rather more than us.  OK, so here we go, if Paul McGinley's name rings a bell to you then you can get within a few millimetres, yeah how exciting is that, of an autographed...erm, what do they call those Golf bags with wheels things?  Handbags on wheels? or something like that and drool away.  Joking aside, this scheme is rather impressive and these guys really have raised the bar a little higher with their magnificent out-sized and beautifully made prop of a Golf ball as opposed to their regular (but luxurious of course) suits.  Well its a mans shop and they'd all like bigger {Golf} balls, wouldn't they?  A great refreshing change to view this at Canali which got us all excited.

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Coach, London

This is definitely one of our favorite Coach schemes that we've seen from this brand.  OK, not necessarily this stores windows (although our images don't really do it justice and the lighting is a little harsh) but others we've seen look truly stunning.  New York fire escapes are the main theme here. Their Autumn campaign which was photographed around Staten Island is stunning, just go to their site and take a look.  Also, if you thought these guys just produced products for women (as we did) then do take a closer look as men's stuff is included too.  Now that made us sit up and take an interest.

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DZD, London

Can you believe that DZD has already been around for 25 years?  Neither can we..! The much loved guys here are celebrating their anniversary this year and held a fantastic breakfast celebration last week, not only to celebrate the company and their achievements but also more thoughtfully and sensitvely in honour and memory of their founder Mark Gosen who sadly passed away last year.  In conjunction with the event the team raised funds for the Macmillan cancer care trust as well as entertaining their enormously varied clientele.  Who hasn't bought at least one thing from this brand as their products really are the bedrock of our industry,  and thank goodness always here and always producing the kind of products that you can find no where else.  In case you didn't know DZD also have an amazing bespoke service too.  We always leave these guys' showroom and studios absolutely aching from laughter as they are such enormous fun to be with; ferociously quick witted and incredibly warm with it.  If you have an idea for a new concept (or not) or gearing up for this seasons events then just click on any of the images here and have a look at their brand spanking new website which looks incredible and see how these guys can help you.

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Austin Reed, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright Lucky Fox

Don't forget UK Wool week will be launching soon on 6th - 12th October here in the centre of it all and no doubt rippling out across the country.  Austin Reed are leading the way with the installation of their latest scheme along Regent street.  Repetition of cones of yarn have be used here, placed against a brushed steel backdrop with their large format current campaign images.  Now in its 5th year and supported by its patron HRH The Prince of Wales, the launch will also include brands such as M&S, Barbour and Jigsaw.  We will of course try and capture additional brands' schemes as they happen to share with you.    

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