Joy City, Beijing, China

We're not big fans of shopping malls, however, as it is so incredibly hot here in the heart of Beijing, we are rather thankful that shopping is actually in doors.  Here at Joy City, we're perusing the brands both international ones and lots that we have never heard of to hunt out the best bits.  Filled to the brim with the usual luxury stores and the global brands the malls here seem to get it right - well nearly.  We've also spotted some duff ones also.  Anyway, we will share the best bits shortly with you.

Beijing, China

Got an ugly hoarding to decorate?  Why not cover it in fake grass.  We spotted this on our way to the Joy Mall; naturally while in search of lots of Joy.  Beijing is proving to be a shopping mecca far too large to cover in the limited time that we have, however we are going to share some of the highlights of the incredible city with you.

Beijing, China

We are currently touring and viewing the sites and delights of China right now in order to bring you the latest and greatest from this incredible country.  We've realised news travels super fast here.....what an amazing welcome, eh?  We spotted this in the lift lobby at one of the malls.

Pull & Bear, London

If you happen to be along Oxford street then do cast a glance at Pull & Bear and their store towards the Oxford Circus part of the street.  This store underwent a 'enhancement' recently and we have been looking forward to popping by to take a closer look inside this store.  In the meantime, with no merchandise in this window scheme, this screams out and communicates the confidence of this brand.

 

H & M, London

........and...if one scheme wasn't enough, these guys have gone the extra mile and produced another scheme.  We are really warming to this brand and how they are working so hard to entertain, engage and produce yet another scheme based on the Olympics. We're wondering if their other stores have additional Olympic based schemes around town right now?

H & M, London

How cool are H&M looking right now?  This is such a clean and well reproduced scheme and once again absolutely on trend in celebrating the London Olympics.  We were wondering what these guys are doing wherever you are?  Is anyone else around the world implementing Olympic schemes or is it a 'party for one' here in London?

Gant, London

Picking up on the Olympic theme quite beautifully is Gant along Regent Street.  Strangely they do seem to produce a lot of locker room based themes, although they do do what they do actually very well.  With their repetition of these multicoloured oars (clearly references to rowing) we could help but want to share this one with you.

DKNY, London

The newly revamped DKNY store along Bond street here in London is looking pretty hot again, don't you think?  Whatever happened to this brand anyway?  They seemed to be so cool at the beginning of the noughties and then appeared to slip away and quietly died a slow and painful retail death.  But, anyway, here we have the newly refreshed store and great windows too.  We love the London skyline here and lets hope that these guys are able to claw their way back up the ladder to gain the status that they once had.  Else its 'sayonara bitches'. 

Church's, London

Wow, patriotic to the end...!  We're loving Church's shoes right now.

Banana Republic, London

With an explosion of Red, White and Blue here at Banana Republic, we were certainly drawn in.  We particularly love the three dimensional aspect of this scheme but wish they had implemented it in every window.  Ah well.  Its Red, White and Blue, so sort of patriotic.....although to whom its not quite clear.

Alessi, London

With the Olympic Games so close now, we can almost taste the medals.  Here at Alessi, the creative team have deftly hung their versions of a fruit bowl in the form of the Olympic rings.  Dangerous territory guys as you know how anxious those overpaid Olympic committee people can be.  On the other hand, a very nice two fingers up to them.  Fantastic. 

Kenzo, London

We don't normally have the opportunity to capture this store as they always almost completely cover this window with their security grille.  Whats the point in having a a window scheme in that case?  Anyway, we occasionally see this brands stores around the world and are always drawn in.  In this instance, although currently in Sale we did particularly like the details on the paper structured fashion shown here.  Our cameras didn't quite capture all f the detail, although we're sure you get the gist.

For All Mankind, London

Well, that was For All Mankind then.  Open for just a year or so (maybe two years?),

Guess, London

Further along the Olympic road less travelled we have the current scheme from Guess.  Actually, we're not entirely sure why we are surprised, but this scheme actually works quite well.  OK, well it is a little 'blingy' but it is actually quite well done.  In the meantime, the various events for the Olympics are beginning to heat up and there is tonnes of stuff all around town announcing its imminent arrival.  Is it too late to give it to Paris?

Mathew Williamson, London

We dont often see very many schemes at the Mathew Williamson store here in London, although on this occasion, and clearly picking up on the Olympic theme we have been presented with these three podiums (or is it podi??  podia??. ....oh who knows) in a natural wood finish and with flashes of colour, above which are the suspended bust forms with this stunning product.

Liberty, London

What a simple yet fantastic idea, eh?  We love this scheme at Liberty right now.  OK, well not Olympic in any shape or form, although there is time to just slip something in, and we're sure that they will?  Anyway, the guys here have used floor plans as a backdrop linked to the various products found in the relevant places.  Simple and perfectly produced as always.

Energie, London

We are finally seeing some Olympic schemes coming through around London, so this week we are going to show you some of our favourites.  This one is from Energie situated along Carnaby st, which we've featured on several occasions before.  The scheme here highlights the 'Games After Party' on suspended perspex printed with a kind of circuit board design and placed in front of a London tube map.  Slightly odd in one sense as the Games haven't actually begun although it will eventually make sense of course.   

 

Richard James, London

We completely missed this window scheme at Richard James which must have been installed during the Queens Jubilee.  Anyway, better late than never, so here it is in all its neon glory.

Berluti, London

We keep checking back at Berluti on Conduit st. here in London to see what these guys are doing.  These are very difficult windows to work with and therefore there is always the danger and mistake that brands make, i.e. to do absolutely nothing.  However, these guys always make an effort and we want to see more and more.  

Godiva, London

We saw the guys installing this scheme recently at Godiva.  It was however,  strangely after the Jubilee for some reason although the references are more 'London' anyway so we guess it still works OK?  If you look closely the 'grassy' crowns are actually on the outside and inside of the fenestration which is always great to view.  We're beginning to see more an more Olympic based schemes now so we will be  showing these very soon.

Olympics, London

If you happen to be swinging by Liverpool street then do pop in and have a look at the latest graduates at Free range just by Brick lane.  We visited last night for the Private View, although it was a little manic and rather overwhelming.  Anyway, we spotted the above which appears to be the top of the NatWest Tower?  Is that right?  Everything is heating up here, finally as London prepares for the Olympic games so hopefully you have tickets.  If you do happen to have a couple of tickets for the opening or closing ceremonies please do let us know (we're part of the annoyed London majority who couldn't get tickets because of the scandalous way sales have been managed; An enquiry into why of course wont happen until after the games have finished - just great, eh?

Chayan Khoi, London

We love to find new things while flaneur-ing the city and here along Conduit street is the Chayan Khoi exhibition which has taken over the redundant space opposite the Issey Miyake store.  Anyway, we while we know nothing about this artist we were rather drawn in by their scrap books placed on the floor of the window space here.  If you happen to pass by, do go and take a closer look as they really are quite fascinating.

Reebok, Athens, Greece

Image Courtesy and Copyright Andreas Alexandridis

If you happen to be in Athens, Greece soon then do go and check out the latest scheme at Reebok.  We cant remember when we saw a Reebok store last (are there any others?) so this is quite a treat.  Produced by Onoma Architects, which are a Design agency based in the capital the team here have produced a scheme based on 'Crossfit' the latest innovative footwear from Reebok.  Anyway, we do love the neon skipping rope in particular which has been used in such an innovative way and great to see some wonderful creativity coming out of this country.

Moschino, London

We rarely say nice things about what this brand do visually; some of it is perhaps justified?  Anyway, while this scheme is not the most revolutionary one that we have ever seen it is actually one of their better ones, don't you think?  (We promised one of the team that we would say something nice about what they do)

Tommy Hilfiger, London

Finally, we are beginning to see some creative schemes emerging from the Sale season.  Here at Hilfiger the team here have installed these enormous rotating globes in celebration of the Olympics.  This is one of the first ones we've seen so far, so fingers crossed that more will emerge soon.

Carnaby Street, London

Well, as we continue to struggle to find interesting schemes around town during Sale time we are showing you one of the other current installations along Carnaby st.   A huge glittery Union flag.  Not very revolutionary but works well from a distance. 

Carnaby Street, London

With the Olympics happening very soon here in London; we can almost taste it.  With this in mind Carnaby Street is welcoming the world with its enormous suspended globe.  Hello world.

DnA Factory, London

You may have seen our recent post on the old style telephone boxes around town right now which will be auctioned in aid of Child line.   This week on a visit to view the delights of Spitalfields we came across our favourite South London artists The DnA Factory's contribution to this vital charity.   Incredible, eh? 

T.M. Lewin, London

Image Courtesy and Copyright Ben Rodgers

Creative 'Sale' schemes are always quite difficult to find and therefore its always very refreshing to come across some interesting ones wherever we find ourselves.  Here at T.M. Lewin we have references to the various events happening here with the use of the Union flag and an interesting combination of 2 and 3-D letter form.