Alexander McQueen, London

We do like to see great examples of 'product-led' schemes and where better right now to view a fine example than the incredible McQueen store here in London.  We often use this honey-comb or rather more formally known hexagonal structure ourselves to communicate the connection between organic forms and visual merchandising installations.  In this scenario of course the shape is informed by the product itself and as ever, beautifully produced. 

Topman, London

There's a huge stripey trend happening around town right now (and lots of other places we've visited recently).  From Louis Vuitton, the innovators, through to Fenwicks the early majority (although they have just changed their scheme) all the way through to the late majority as in here at Topman right now.  This is such a difficult brand to make look good, but goodness knows, they do it so well, don't you think?

Anthropologie, London

We do love a bit of Anthro. and their approach to their schemes is simply the best philosophy that any brand could have.  As ever creativity oozes out of these stores and we absolutely love it.  

Moss Bros, London

Further along Regent st. and as part of the RIBA windows project is the scheme at Moss Bros by AY Architects.  This fantastic structure based on the herringbone stitch with references to the heritage of the brand is pretty impressive.  The play on light and shadows is also very interesting.  We visited the interior of the space on a sunny day to view the impact of the day light as well as these night time shots and this scheme does work incredibly well.  Its a bit of a shame that the rest of the store is so dull really and filled with very dodgy mannequins, particularly when these windows look so fantastic.

Esprit, London

We had no idea that this brand had a US heritage until now.  Interesting, eh?  We always thought it was German and oddly had never been inside this store until now.  London based architects nagenJohnson, as part of the Regents street project have installed this enormous wave-like structure reaching up through the atrium space to the first floor from the decompression zone just past the main doorway.  The structure  references the Summer of 1968 when the company was founded.  We do like a dramatic entrance.  

Karen Millen, London

We don't often go to visit this brands' store along Regent st as they don't usually do anything of interest and we have to admit that only because of the RIBA collaboration we have actually been inside to take a closer look.  This incredible Magic Garden installation by the Architects Mamou-Mani is a fluid form which weaves its way across the full run of windows and illuminated from within.  Really interesting stuff. 

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.

Alain Figaret, Nice

We have never heard of this brand (or maybe its just one store?) before now, but clearly they care about their presentation which is refreshing.  Here at Alain Figaret with their sheet music and music stands which present their more formal shirts in addition to their bust forms is simple in its format and applies all of the regular 'rules' of presentation (well, versions of at least).  Perhaps the bust forms could be positioned in a rather more neutral format as their kind of maestro pose looks rather more odd than dynamic, don't you think? 

Fashion Gallery, Nice

After what seems like days and days in bling hell (OK, well it was sunny and warm so we're not complaining) we've finally moved on to the gorgeous city of Nice.  The whole of the French Riviera appears to be carved out of the coastline which simply adds to its fantastic appeal.  Here at the sadly rather dated named Fashion Gallery we are in design heaven.  We could very happily live in this space and spend days and days loving the amazing merchandise, particularly the vintage and antique chandeliers hanging from the space carved from the rocks.  If you happen to be in Nice do go and find this amazing place just beyond the flower market.  We simply came across it by chance while wondering along the tiny alley ways.  The sales assistant here is so incredibly friendly too as most people are in this area of France which just makes us want to keep going back more and more for our design fix.  Love it.

Hermes, Monte Carlo

Now this is an interesting scheme.  We've seen a key trend across a lot of brands both back in London and in New York recently, not just in the use of laser cutting but in cut outs generally.  We're drawn more and more to this brand as they really do work so hard to present cleverly and creatively when so many luxury brands appear either to have given up, have no one in control of the creative vision or just run out of ideas?  

Gucci, Monte Carlo

Virtually next door to Valentino here in the land of tight faces so botoxed that any facial expression will have to wait and hair so bleached that it could start a fire, here we have the Gucci scheme.  We actually quite liked this one when we saw it in London even if it does resemble the sexual fetish of zentai suits (is that a bad thing, probably not or de rigueur as they say in these parts?).  Of course, repetition of mannequins in this format can always look good in its simplicity which is reflected in each of the windows of this particular store.  Menswear looks a little dodgy (who would wear a Green suit besides a few ageing rock stars?) although women's wear is rather more interesting with its use of pattern, don't you think?

VM and Display show 2013

Don't forget to register for the pending event of the season by clicking on the banner on the right hand side of this page.  The VM and Display Show 2013 is one of the key events that you must attend.  So, go on, take the afternoon off and go and view the latest products from your industry suppliers.