Pikolinos, New York

We've found ourselves in the Meatpacking district today and well, what a disappointment.  We remember this area when it was filled with huge lorries and well, meat being packed with just Jefferies shining like a beacon among it all.  Since then everyone who was anyone (brand wise) moved in and now they have moved out again and relocated elsewhere leaving a multitude of empty spaces surrounded by glossy hotels and bars.  Still, things change and move on we guess and this little pop is quite striking so not a complete waist of of a journey.  We don't know this brand, but the projection on the wall here together with the shoe 'lasts' looked particularly cool at night time.

Moscot, New York

If you happen to be down at the Lower East side of Manhattan the do have a look at this retailer.  We do love the small boutiques in this part of town and we came across this actually quite large opticians.  There appear to be several new brands of opticians opening right now and looking particularly slick, although we do love the rawness of this store which  appears to be a small independent.  OK, well it is a bit messy and rather stacked to the rafters but there is clearly a personality behind what you see here which cuts through the clinical traits of its competitors, don't you think?

Uniglo, New York

We actually captured this scheme at Uniglo on 5th Avenue before the holidays although we felt that it looked so good (slightly generic) but really works with the architecture of the space.  Our first impression was that it was very similar to the kind of installations we have seen at Moncler previously but produced in this brands particular style.

Camper, New York

This staggering simple space is quite spectacular at the Camper store on 5th Avenue.  We've seen a few stores from this brand and the fantastic key element is that they are all so different.  OK, well they usually have the catwalk of their product running through the centre of their spaces but the decorative elements always appear so unique.  With that must be thousands of trainers (OK, well sneakers if we must say it) line the whole of the surrounding space in a White finish.  Slightly creepy on the one hand but it really is simultaneously extraordinary.

Jean-Paul Gaultier, Brooklyn Museum, New York

We have been itching to view this exhibition for over a year now, tracking it across the globe and willing it to show in London.  It was particularly fortuitous timing that it coincided with our visit so we were finally able to tick this box and achieve that feeling of being cleansed by what these kind of experiences gush so well.  It is initially slightly unnerving viewing these figures either speaking, singing or just looking directly at you.  Actual faces have been projected onto these mannequins.  As static images don't really communicate this very well, please have a look at our videos below to see what we mean.  Fortunately we were able to take as many images and make as many videos as we liked.  When it arrives in London, we can almost guarantee this freedom will be whipped away faster than a speeding bullet so we took the opportunity to capture everything we could right now.  Here's just a selection to salivate over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZTq__V9D7o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li6XHyQvWbQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtC0cjlWALw

On the streets, Andrea Zittel, New York

We don't know much about this and only happened to walk by and see it in the windows of a gallery space.  An interesting installation nonetheless?

On the Streets, New York

Wishing you all a very Happy Holiday wherever you may be.

Coach, New York

We are not particularly fond of motifs of 'things' although we did find ourselves rather mesmerized by the Coach store here.  We really do lament the use of motifs as there is no design involved nor creativity, what you see is what we have seen countless times ad nauseam.  However, now that we have that out of our system, the repetition of the stars here used to offer a kind of perspective view is rather spectacular and a clean environment where the product looks incredible, so, hands up it does look great even if we have to bite our tongues saying it.  The obligatory video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbYyHXqwUNo

Moschino, New York

As regular readers will know, we are not the number one fans of this brand.  This scheme, however, is probably the best they have produced in a long time and is highly amusing to say the least.  A huge gift wrapped box has been placed in the window here complete with giant mouse.  With a slight nod to that part of the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy throws a bucket of water over the wicked witch of the West, the 'melted' figure, naturally wearing Moschino looks rather drained of all life; just how we feel right now.  Anyway, a great fun scheme.

Alexander Wang, New York

This brand usually try and tell us off for taking pictures (even from the high street would you believe) but who cares really, this is free publicity for them and we only have positive things to say about this store as it is actually very beautiful.  If you feel the need to adorn your apartment with a fur hammock then look no further than Alexander Wang.  It looks like sable but we're not entirely sure.  Bring on the decadent living we say.

Salvatore Ferragamo, New York

We have seen this scheme both in London and Paris and it really is a welcome relief from their usual fixtures and actually it seems quite daring for this brand.  The windows have been Blacked out with vinyl apart from a circular area and inside the spaces are these gorgeous Silver coloured animals.  Such an interesting direction for this brand and we do hope that they continue on this creative path through 2014.  Check out our video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6V7kTYKoBk

Calvin Klein, New York

Oh Gawd, its the curse of the Silver Birches again.  Globally this brand are not particularly the most creative although of course they do produce some very nice schemes.  However, this particular store on Madison nearly always fails to disappoint.  Well, until now anyway.  The store itself looks incredible and we guess is their 'Maison' but do we really have to view the same old stuff dug up year after year?  Come on guys, the word de jour right now is 'collaboration' and there are so many interesting artists here in New York that surely someone has a whiff of vision?

Aritizia, New York

Icebergs are clearly one of the big trends this Winter in window schemes as we have seen quite a few around the city.  At this Canadian womens wear brand, which we had never seen before now, they have produced quite a spectacular scheme which we felt compelled to include.  A simple scheme but these guys have really made an effort to look so good and this is much appreciated (just get those mannequin groupings right though, eh?) 

Baccarat, New York

We have passed this brand on a number of occasions and have never really been impressed with what they do.  However, while this isn't the most exciting thing that we have viewed here in New York it is of course superbly executed.  OK, well its just a chandelier in a box we hear you say, and yes you are right it is, although a very big box it is too and Red on the inside.  You really couldn't make this stuff up.  Well, what more can we say really?

Moncler, New York

References to astronomy, the stars and planets have featured at quite a few brands around the city and here at Moncler who always produce very sophisticated installations the world over have included the earth and we guess moon and Mars.  If you've read in the press recently the amount of space travel happening from India, China and so on, it is clear that these guys have tapped into some of the key headlines from which to draw influence to produce their scheme.  And beautifully done it is too.

Saks, 5th Avenue, New York

Saks 5th Avenue of course is as impressive as ever this season.  We have to confess that we don't like this kind of cuddly monster crap ourselves but judging by the crowds around the windows, a lot of other people do.  Anyway, its Yeti time, Yetis on trains and in all sorts of scenarios.  We made a video of this and fortunately managed to do the whole run of windows without single person in sight.  It was 3.30am however and obviously normal people are in bed at that time (or partying somewhere) while we walk the streets in peace.  Check out our video anyway and decide what you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwJ_FEdLV5Y

Lord & Taylor, New York

Where on earth would we be without a bit of this seasons favourite, good old nostalgia.  If you happen to be walking passed Lord and Taylor, then you will notice lots of references to days gone by with a very big dose of Victoriana (and the art of revival or resuscitation depending on your views). Lots of hand drawn images are appearing around the main visual merchandised cities of the world right now and in this case here at Lord and Taylor, movable bits too.  You really are spoiling us.  Anyway, check out our video below and see for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8UJlFSZLO8

Henri Bendel, New York

Now this is a bit of a corker of a scheme.  Since the take over, buy out, financial help or whatever you want to call it, of Barneys, they have gone a bit generic, and it has been a case of, in the words of (possibly) Mr. Chow, 'sionara bitches' to the old schemes of papier mache,  clever caustic humour and whole load of personality.  Anyway, it appears that Bendels have picked up the baton and produced this fantastic scheme, all mache'd beautifully.  Notice the references to the hand drawn here.  To really appreciate it, this a video we made earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UccpDY5OE

Macys, New York

If you want to be underwhelmed and are up for a giggle then do go and view this little gem of a scheme at Macys.  We don't know if they take themselves too seriously (probably) but here we have the usual offering of 'cookie cutter' malarkey that only tourists or those from the 'burbs could truly love?  With their strap line, 'Believe' (of course we do) which can be seen a lot around the immediate streets on banners, the narrative here is of a little boy and a series of his experiences (we just couldn't bring ourselves to delve too deeply).  We did think anamatronics were a thing of the past but here it is in all its juddering glory together with a sprinkling of 21st century technology.  Oh Macys you are the gift that just keeps giving.  Check out our video and you too can 'Believe'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrjJnqe8zMg

De Bijenkorf, Amsterdam

Images Courtesy and Copyright uxusdesign.com

We leave you alone in Europe for just a few moments and you get all creative on us.  If we had known De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam were going to produce this incredible scheme we would have swung by and taken a look for ourselves.  Thankfully our contacts have shared these with us so that we can show you too and how magnificent and interesting is this installation, eh? (unfortunately we are unable to make the images bigger but if you subscribe by e-mail then you should be able to do this for yourself)  We've seen quite a few references to the Victorian period here in New York so it is fantastic to identify this as one of the key trends this Winter as well as, as you will see much later this month, references to space travel, astronomy and icebergs; clearly some of the luxe brands have their forecasters working overtime.  The direct references here are to Victorian paper toy theatres which those geniuses at UXUS in conjunction with De Bijenkorf have really pulled off so well.  A series of theatrical narratives takes the customer on a journey through a mysterious forest with magical animals which enhances selected product in each window (our favorite is the one at the top).  Brilliant stuff guys.   

Barneys, New York

We were rather impressed with Barneys windows this year and their state of the art technology supplied by Christie.  The 'New York Holiday' experience here is a fantastic example of the use of technology meets traditional window installation and once again demonstrates how confident this retailer is that they don't even have to show any product; incredible.  We do admire this in a retailer.  As you can see from the image below and the empty streets of New York that we were here very late at night so the doors to the window that we really wanted to experience were locked however we did go back a few days later and had a whole 3 minutes to make a video undisturbed which you can view below.  Once inside the store, if you do manage to get here, do go and view the fantastic in store gallery inspired by the music of Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and artist Joanie Lemercier, it really is a feast of immersive technology and great product too.  A big thumbs up Mr. Freedman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-9fpkkG4cI

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Welcome to New York...!  After an agonising journey across the pond we have finally made it to the centre of it all and what better way to begin than to view that monolith in the Visual Merchandising world, Bergdorf Goodman.  Of course in true style these guys have entertained delighted and produced their usual magnificent scheme; this year based on the seasonal events, Valentines, Halloween and so on.  The detail as ever is so incredible that we have been back a few times as we keep finding new things to look at.  Naturally we made a video of it all for you to view (link below) and take part in the spectacle in case you miss them.  We're covering the windows in NYC for the next three weeks so do check back and see whats happening here in the Big Apple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBvfS8eVxs

(yes, its meant to be upside down)

Topshop in conjunction with Neon, London

                   TOPSHOP BLOOM - copyright and courtesy Neon.

Before we share the delights of the Big Apple with you we wanted to quickly squeeze in this amazing installation at Topshop right now here in the centre of it all.  We were huge fans of the installation by Neon which we included here a while ago; you may remember the giant colour wheel structure which was produced as part of the Regent street project in conjunction with RIBA?  Well, these guys have done it again.  Thankfully Topshop have the creative vision which supports these kinds of projects and which invigorate the high street making what we do ever more worthwhile.

Dolce and Gabbana, Paris

We've seen this scheme in London recently although here in Paris it is absolutely huge (well they have taller windows at this store)  We cant quite make out what these Gold leafed (or Gold coloured) leaves are made from but it truly does look spectacular and blingy.  Here's the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwkIJ3NVVRQ

Loewe, Paris

We have seen a lot of polka dots, well dotted stuff really, around London recently and a lot of what appears to be a kind of confetti-like trend.  We don't know much about this brand but from time to time they do come up with some interesting schemes.  This one here in Paris is great fun and here's the obligatory video to get a better idea of how it appears to the passersby.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKBmOat4uxA

Longchamp, Paris

We did stop in our tracks when we came across this scheme at Longchamp which is by far more interesting than the one back in London.  Fortunately we had our video camera with us so we were able to capture the movement of the horse and jockey lenticular in the window.  We're not so sure about how we feel regarding the rest of the scheme although the graphic is great fun.  Click on the link to watch our video via youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLHHNhSffSI

Printemps,Paris

We have to confess that we do like a bit of 'old school' when it comes to windows and here at Printemps the scheme really is quite spectacular.  It took us hours just to get the shots we have as the crowds around these windows were so thick (as in many not in their level of intelligence) so even late at night we were struggling to get near them.  Anyway, fantastic installation, so if you get the chance then do and have a look, but be ruthless and be prepared to push past the screaming French kiddies and their parents, and grand parents, and.....well the list goes on.