Harvey Nichols gets Au Natural...

It seems I wasn't the only one vowing to recycle more this New Year as part of one of my resolutions.

Mannequins embrace in the ethereal window...

Harvey Nichols launched their pre-Spring window scheme last week and using recycled materials sent out a clear message that the department store is all about re-using materials and keeping it simple yet effective this season.

Trees spiral through the window spaces encasing the department store on the corner of Knightsbridge; entwining their branches through the mannequins and in and around beauty products.

The tree branches display the beauty product in a creative
and ornate way...

Mannequins lean and sit on the tree branches...

Almost envisaging what the tree will one day become, disbanded cardboard boxes are laid flat on the floors and against the walls to create an enclosed space that connotes the re-used, recycled and relaunched ethical window displays.

Cool 90's styling accessorised with visors and bandanas...

Muted styling in neutral tones echoes the au natural scheme; Burberry, Acne and Kenzo feature heavily on the mannequins whilst key fashion pieces for the new season such as high tops, the statement necklace and snapbacks give a sporty twist.

Vinyl is used to display the store directory on the glass to
aid the customer in their shopping experience...

Even the hair and make-up has been styled to fit in with the
natural and 90's theme...

Seemingly seeing an 'upcycled' reign of 90's fashion coming back around for SS13, Harvey Nichols continue their recycling theme from prop through to product.

Happy Window Shopping

xoxo

Painting the High Street in Black and White...

What's black, white and shopped all over? The British high street! This weekend, most of the fashion shops went 'half and half' in terms of shop floor layout with the ratio of 50% to sale or reduced stock and the remaining 50% to brand-spanking new SS13 stock!

As all of the VM's (and the majority of customers themselves!) rejoiced at the sight of newness in their stores and within their windows, I set out on the streets of London to see what the brands where up to. Black and white was a clear trend in Oxford Circus, some brands added pops of neon whilst others experimented with aztec or animal prints.

Which store has your favourite transitional monochrome look?

Oasis opt for chic Parisian stripes within their window whilst still
advertising their sale in store...

 

 

Warehouse show you how to outfit build in black and white...

 

 

A mannequin block in monochrome is styled using stripes,
aztec and spots at H&M...

 

 

Another H&M window experiments with textures such as PVC, faux leather and knitwear...

 

River Island throw in a few slogan tees and knits
with a pop of zesty orange to make them stand out
from the rest of the high street...
 

 

Happy Window Shopping

xoxo

 

 

 

Selfridges: It's all so quiet...Ssshhh...

After the hustle and bustle on London's legendary high street on Oxford Circus this Christmas, Selfridges have explored the unknown within their post-sale window displays: the act of being silent. That's right. Forget the bright Marmite lights that have lit Oxford Street since November, or the thousand-strong shoppers that roamed the stores in search of gifts for loved ones; 2013 is all about being minimal and, well, quiet.

A neutral back drop and an array of quirky and interesting props decorate the minimal windows in one of London's leading department stores. Pushing the creative boundaries as usual, shoppers still stopped in their tracks to marvel at the unique displays.

Graphics surrounded by a light frame highlight a store directory for the product
within the window...

 

 

The iconic 'Yellow Bag'- a prop that speaks brand identity...

 

 

An empty room setting connotes that January is a time to sit, relax and possibly
reflect on the year ahead in the window themed "silence"...

 

 

Futuristic 'wardrobes' display a minimalistic colour palette - a
possible sneak-preview into what to expect this SS13?

 

 

Forget captions, slogans and branding - let the product do the talking in "silence"...

 

 

Unbranded props which are still an iconic image...

 

 

Unbranded products within the Tiffany-style windows which
 are still recognisable amongst the public...

 

A personal favourite - a tap on the vast empty walls with hundreds of glasses filled with water...

 

 

Glasses and water - a cheap yet effective prop...

 

 

Unstyled mannequin torsos with key seasonal pieces used such as the skirt, the shirt and the dress for
SS13 - again Selfridges let the product do the talking without the need to shout about it too much with graphics or vinyls

 

Top Tip: Visit these windows during the early hours of the morning. The lights get switched on from 7am. The quietness of Oxford Street and the silence within these minimal windows echo an eerie air of creativity...

 

 

Happy Window Shopping

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topshop Pre-SS13 Window...

  

Topshop Oxford Circus simple pre-season window with
hanging canvas banner and 7 styled mannequins.

With Christmas out of the way and the joys of New Year officially over, all we seem to have to look forward to is one failed resolution after the other. But fear not as brightening up the bleak high street and putting a 'spring' back into our step is retail favourite Topshop with their pre-season window display.

50's styling...

Featuring a peak into the Topshop closet for SS13, we see blue skies, canary yellow and a twist of 50's styling reminiscent of Grease the musical! Summer Lovin', anyone?

Summer brights are mixed with rock-chick accessories
enabling customers to get the pre-season look right now...

Adding a typical TS edge that enables their shoppers to get the future look right NOW, the styling has a contemporary feel mixing the soft prints and ice cream-sweet colour palette with gunmetal accessories, edgy stud details and punky lifestyle. An interesting style juxtaposition...

Mixing leather with lightweight summerwear gives an added edge
to the mannequin styling...

So if you've found yourself bored of the left over sale tat that most high street stores are still offering, venture down to Topshop : new year, new window, new wardrobe. Are you warmed-up for Spring yet?

Happy Window Shopping
xoxo