Tods, London

If you haven't seen Tods yet then here's a snapshot for you.  With so many Funfair rides to select from we are a little surprised that they chose this one.  We saw something almost identical in Louis Vuitton a while ago further along the same street so this doesn't quite have the impact for us that we would have liked it to have.  Thats not to say this is terrible of course, it just feels done before.  To really appreciate the installation it is best viewed it in motion which you can do in our video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxokjX7pN-4

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Ralph Lauren, London

We had thought that the last scheme at this store was their Christmas offer, however apparently not. With references to Art Deco this scheme, naturally looks rather stunning.  Large baubles, streamers and interior spaces from a bygone era fill these windows right now.  Check out our video here for a closer look.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fec9xNOKu34

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Proportion>London Launch

Proportion>London have just opened their stunning new showroom in, of course, the coolest part of town (65 Leonard street, London, EC2A 4QS).  Do check them out and get them on speed dial as the products here are superb.  Suppliers of Mannequins, bust forms, and everything you could possibly need for your retail space these guys have it all.  If you weren't at the launch on Thursday evening then you really missed a great event as these guys really know how to throw a party however here's a snapshot of the showroom and event for you anyway.

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Magasin, Copenhagan

Images Courtesy and Copyright www.sfd.co.uk

If you happen to be in Copenhagan then no doubt you will want to visit Magasin Du Nord.  This incredible store has a fantastic and enviable history dating back to 1868 when it first opened as a Drapers shop called Emil Vett & Co.  In 1871 the store moved to its current location here at Immervad and eventually grew to 50 stores.  At this flagship store the current installation in conjunction with www.sfd.co.uk consists of a series of concave baubles (to enable the brand to show merchandise inside them) and whole baubles creating this tactile backdrop to their products with a collection of bespoke mannequins complete with bauble heads.  The facade of the building has been adorned with more baubles to form a Christmas tree and the interior has been decorated with hanging garlands and bauble archways through the space.  Of course, the best part of this season is being able to experience these things for yourself, so you must.

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Tiffany, London

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a fantastic scheme in miniature from Tiffany.  Stunning installation as always and so delicately produced.  The winter scenes here are immaculate and demonstrates what applying a few of the 'old school' techniques can do to lift a scheme beyond the blandness we so often see on the high street.  We doubt any expense was spared in implementing this scheme across so many stores although we cant wait to see NYC (which we will show you soon) as we may find additional treats at their monolithic 5th Avenue store.  Watch this space.  Check out our video here too https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceIubWhkfZg

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Asprey, London

We haven't included this brand in ages although we do pass by here quite frequently.  This season they have quite a dynamic installation based around key London landmarks.  We dont often see graphics used in these windows so its certainly a new direction and even better that they are so beautifully illuminated.  Check out our video below or via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKTbQ9sa8oM

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Joseph, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright Joseph

Joseph are currently celebrating this season with a Gothic Fairy tale installation influenced by the AW Gothic/Victorian trend which we have seen in some of the collections from some of the mega brands such as Alexander McQueen, Givenchy and Giles Deacon.  The concept here was to create a dark Winter woodland with flashes of Red cutting across the the windows.  Adding to the drama the team have also installed a mist machine which has been programmed to fill the windows with a fog-like mist at intermittent intervals throughout the day, adding to the drama of the space.  Another fantastic installation from this incredible brand.

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VM & Display Awards 2015, London

Image Courtesy and Copyright http://www.retail-focus.co.uk

Were you at the VM & Display Awards last week?  If not then you really did miss a spectacular event.  This year, the event took place at the incredible Big Top in Bloomsbury with the host Julian Clary who in his usual style had the crowds gasping with his sharp and 'loaded' references.  Great fun..!  A huge congratulations to all those amazing winners this year including:

Best use of in store Graphic - Topman

Best Boutique Window - Vivienne Westwood

Best Window Graphic - Nike

Best International Window - Marks and Spencer

Best non-fashion Retail Concept - Selfridges

Best use of Mannequins in a multiple - Topshop

Best window in a multiple Department store - Debenhams

Best in store VM solution - Cambridge Satchel Company

Best Christmas window in a multiple Department store - Debenhams

Best use of mannequins in an independent - Charlotte Olympia

Best In store branding - Harrods (Dior)

Best store Concept - Hunter

Most outstanding feature / Prop - Disney (Cinderella)

Best Christmas Interior - Fortnum and Mason

Best Christmas Window in a multiple - Penhaligon's

Best Window in a Multiple - Miss. Selfridge

Best Windows in an independent - Harvey Nichols / Harrods

Harvey Nichols - Winner of Best Christmas Window

Vivienne Westwood - Winner of Best Boutique Window 

Debenhams - Winner of Best Christmas window in a multiple department store

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Hermes, London

The latest scheme at Hermes must be one of our absolute favourites of 2015.  Beautifully produced props of animals in, we are guessing here, 2mm ply.  There also appear to be references to Salvador Dali if the image above is anything to go by with a giant tortoise on skateboards, a tie wearing Emu and  a Blonde wig wearing creature (among others) all demonstrating that even luxury brands have a sense of humour.  We're guessing that this is the last scheme of the year and what a way to end an amazingly visual year for this brand.  We appreciate that our images are a little small here (constraints of blogger sadly) however our video shows this scheme in a lot more detail.  Check it out below or here via this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da0Dlca73hA

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Liberty, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright www.elementaldesign.co.uk

Elemental Design have recently taken part in a charitable Christmas project in conjunction with the amazing Liberty store here in central London.  The window here features the release of Kylie's first Christmas album and recreates elements of the album cover.  Kylie Minogue is one of the many famous faces who are taking part in 'Celebritrees', a charitable initiative aimed at raising funds through the auction of Christmas trees decorated by each celebrity.  A worthy cause indeed and a fun way to raise much needed finances.

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Harrods, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright www.sfd.co.uk

Its that time of year again when a visit to Santa's Grotto is a must for those of you with young 'believers'.  Even those of us who are rather more worldly wise (and possibly cynical) this is still worth a visit just for the experience.  As always those clever guys at www.sfd.co.uk have made the impossible look so magical and who wouldn't wanted to have been able to see this through such young eyes?

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John Lewis, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright www.harlequin-design.com 

You may have already seen the advertisements from this brand (if you are in the UK) featuring the Man on The Moon.  The story here (in case you were wondering) is of a young girl called Lilly who, looking through a telescope sees, well you guessed it, a man on the moon.  Lilly is determined to get something to him, to send him a message to let him know someone on earth is thinking of him.  All very poignant with the scheme here brought to life for us walking on the high street by those lovely guys at www.harlequin-design.com  

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Harrods, London

Images Courtesy and Copyright www.sfd.co.uk

If you haven't been there yet then here's a snapshot of the Harrods Cafe looking very festive indeed..!  This is such a magical and exciting time of year for the 'innocent' so why not go and enjoy what department stores were build for; spending the whole day there.  In conjunction with the cool guys at www.sfd.co.uk the Harrods Cafe is brimming with festive goodies and toys by the truck load.  Even if you aren't so innocent you can at least enjoy those marveling at this for the first time. 

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Fortnum and Mason, London

With notoriously difficult products to show well, this brand do it so brilliantly.  The crowds of passersby, even at night time are mesmerized by this scheme here at Fortnum and Mason and rightly so too.  Layers and layers of products fill this scheme and as we approach the inevitable seasonal time of year, no doubt the cash desks are reaping the rewards that the team here put into their schemes to make their products so desirable and entice the customers in.  We wouldn't want to be working on the shop floor here right now as just about anytime of the year its busy but do go an have a look at this magnificent store and marvel at their interior too.  We promise it is a real treat.  We have of course made a quick video of the windows in between the break of the crowds which is included below or through the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnbrxO70MRw

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Selfridges, London

If you haven't seen them, then here they are.  Selfridges of course makes London worth visiting right now and if you happen to be in the capital then do go and have a look at this stunning run of windows.  Each of the signs of the zodiac are represented here in turn with an amazing installation of the planets in their corner window.  The work and skill involved in implementing this scheme is superb (as it is throughout the year) and great to see their finale of 2015.  We had to make two short vidoes of this scheme as the windows were so crowded but hopefully they capture the vibe happening from the viewers perspective.  Check out our videos here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW6mF01haS4 and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_L6O8qzbmg 

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