Zara's Like a Puppet on a String...

One of the most interesting Christmas window schemes on the high street this year, for me, is from Zara. Their controversial decision to go completely opposed to the usual 'traditional' Christmas window full of trees, pretty twinkling lights and shrines to Father C made me stop and look twice - which is the overall point of visual merchandising after all!

The mannequins have been displayed like puppets on a string which could connote how we as people become like puppets ourselves during the Christmas period - especially when we get our shopping list heads on! The strings control and over power the mannequin, acting as restraints which is interesting as Zara seem to break the traditions of the Christmas period within their scheme rather than be controled by it.

The styling takes on an 80's punk feel with elongated shoulders, long length gloves and puff ball skirts take centre stage in a mix of retro gingham, glitter and motif t shirts.

If you get a chance to, check out the Zara windows on Oxford Street as they are extremely interesting vm-wise in real life. If you can't, enjoy the photographs I managed to take early one quiet-ish morning!

Happy window shopping!

xoxo

Is there a right or wrong way to VM?

I have been in a new visual merchandising position now for four weeks and it has been fascinating to learn a new brand's way of VMing. I feel as though the previous position I held for over two years now barely creates the foundation to my new job role. I'm learning all the basics right from scratch including all the rules and regulations to coincide with creating a coherent brand image. But I have since been thinking, is visual merchandising a method or is it really just personal preference and taste?

I've previously been in situations where I have thought "wow this display looks really good" and within the same instance someone has torn it to pieces saying they don't like this or that and vice versa. Because VM is so personal, afterall it is your own taste and creativity being put on the line for others critique and judgement, it can be a tough old career to find yourself in.

But is there a right or wrong way? Surely if all the adjacencies are customer shoppable and relevent fashion themes have been pulled together to create a 'look' do the other bits make much difference? I suppose its like fashion itself - in my opinion Cheryl Cole is one of the worst dressed celebs yet the majority rave over her! But that doesn't mean she neither wrong nor right....it's all about personal preference.

So to all the visual merchandisers out there - should we be following the rule book or throwing it out? Are the rules and regs taking away your creativity? I'd love to know what you think....