Frame it!

More and more specialty retailers are using frames in their windows to display marketing images to help convey the 'lifestyle' behind their brand. We think this is a great way to tell a story to potential customers as it says more about the clothes than just a mannequin. The selection of the frames themselves says a lot about the brand too and we think these are two great examples for urban consumers. How do you want to frame your message?

Window as metaphor?

I am not sure if this window is meant to be simply artistic (the layered colors and texture are appealing) or a message. If this is a statement on the economy (what else could a life vest symbolize when you are not a boating store?) - we better start shopping! Either way, it's unexpected and we love that - catch pedestrians off guard and you get them talking.

What do you think this window is saying? (Don't worry, we won't analyze your answer.)

Add Props!

Time and again we see that props can make or break a window. Sure tiny mannequins and kids clothes are cute but this window would not be worth a second look if it were not for the addition of the hoola hoops. I am not proposing that this is the most magnificent thing I have ever seen, but as a pedestrian and consumer it catches my eye and as a lover of store windows, it makes me appreciate the store for going the extra mile.

So add something to your next window and if you can't think of anything - call us, we can!

Racked Recap 2008: The Best Windows

I don't know how I missed this but its a fun recap of some of the best windows of last year. Not sure I agree with all of them but it's a great collection of the creative expression we love. To see the whole picture and the list go to:

http://racked.com/archives/2008/12/23/racked_recap_2008_best_windows.php

Have you seen any other best/ worst window winners? Please share!

Consistency Keeps a brand alive

Recently some marketing people were asking what helps a brand stay relevant and how do you manage all the forms of online and offline communication. The answer that came through loud and clear was - consistency. No one has done a better job of staying "on message" than Ralph Lauren. The lifestyle brand that RL sells is highlighted in his clothes, ads, marketing and windows. Here the college pennants and trophies are old and battered but make a dramatic presentation that sells his message of casual elegance and the collegiate life. Using a collection of props in your window is a great way to explain your brand. What do your windows say?

Trendspotting: butterflies

I don't know about you, but I can't open a magazine, go into a store or turn on the TV without seeing butterflies. It seems these fluttering creatures are everywhere in home and fashion design and here they are seen as props in the window of a high-end children's store. A welcome sight in these somewhat dreary times, butterflies represent rebirth, renewal and awakening, so this positive symbol is refreshing. My heart is a flutter with signs of spring.

The ART of Window Display

Like all art, a photo will never do it justice, but I had to share this. Sometimes retailers use their valuable window real estate for a higher purpose, in this case the display of something truly visual and "pretty". The top two photos are at Marc Jacobs and is a huge "3D collage" of artificial flowers mixed with accessories. The bottom two is a sculpture in the window of the MoMA restaurant, The Modern, made out of yarn and neon lights. Both are captivating and anytime you can get a pedestrian to STOP and look at your windows is one step closer to having them walk in your door and become a customer. Beautiful windows = Captivated pedestrian = potential customer! step, repeat.

I smell a rat!

There was a LIVE rat dancing on a wheel in the window of the Little Marc Jacobs store yesterday on Bleeker Street. He was lively and animated and made people stop and take note. Its fashion week here in NYC and maybe the rat was trying to tell us something. Don't know what but he WAS a show stopper.

Window Drama - Large Scale!

It is great to see retailers go all out and really dress the windows. In this care, Polo Ralph Lauren spared no expense. From the grand cabana curtain to the baskets filled with seashells and the urn filled with paper parasols, this window says casual elegance all the way to the scooter - there is plenty to dazzle and enough to remind you, they are selling clothes AND a delicious lifestyle. Where do we sign up?

Spring is a bloom..

signs of spring are all around in NYC this past week. Though we all know March and April can be snowy, rainy and cold, the stores are looking to get something fresh into our wardrobes and enticing us with the promise of bike rides and flowering trees. A good window tells a story and this one says, warm weather and good times are ahead - get ready!

Small makes a BIG statement!

These caught my eye at the Uniqulo store on Broadway in Soho. Each window has a minature item or two of their clothing and all the windows are lined up in a row wrapped around the store. Viewing them is like being at a museum so the experience makes the clothes feel special and precious. The minatures draw you in, as you want a better look and then the small in contrast to the stores tall 20 foot ceiling is a great balance of scale.

Trending Natural

Seen around the city over the past couple weeks; natural elements like twigs and iconic display ideas like a clothes line. At Ungaro it is abstract and artistic mixed with natural yarn. At Bonpoint, the clothes are all white and only the clips add color and at ABC a twig doubles as a closet. All lend an air of casual beauty and reference a longing for something decidedly "un-tech".

Repetition and multiples work

we have all seen grass squares used at spring time. but what makes this window work is the volume of grass (there must have been 20 squares of it) and the color blocking. each window was done in a different color and it did stop me in my tracks to take note. March on!

A good window can ROPE you in!

Corny, I know but, it's true. It's traditional to see a lot of rope in January and we love it as a prop - it's a great highlighter for resort. But this presentation was an elegant interpretation. These are rope wall backdrops, framed in wood with wood anchors and ships' wheels mounted on top. Really cute and impactful. Anchors away!

Flower Pot - hot or not?

we don't do negative often as we know how hard this job is and things don't often go as planned. But in this case, these paper flower pots were really cute, but the impact was not as powerful as it could have been. some grass in the pots, some color on the pedestals, some balloon flowers in the air - an additional element would have helped this great concept a lot. What do you think would have helped this garden grow?

You can't afford NOT to dress your windows

Sometimes the simplest or least expensive ideas can be attention grabbing and effective. When budgets are tight, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater, keep at it. Visual elements and store decoratives are important and stores need to look their best when competing for limited customer dollars. So get out there and be creative. and when budgets are small, let us do it all! and when budgets get large, put us in charge. We're here to help cause we love what we do (and we like looking at pretty things!)