A Wonderful Summer at Anthropologie

It's a dark day here in NYC - so we are looking back to a brighter time a couple months ago.. at Anthropologie - a brief look back to creative uses of used objects.

Anthropolgie's windows vary from store to store, yet always follow a consistent theme and shared elements.

Here's a few interpretations showing wine corks for Earth Day, and hanging paper petals for summer. We love the creativity and craftsmanship and look forward to seeing the holiday windows - sure to dazzle us soon.

Gwyneth Leech's Cup Drawings

Live windows really draw attention and this current window installed in "the prow" of the Flatiron building in Chelsea is no different. When the artist is sitting in the window as she is here, it's hard to get a clear shot of the work as the windows are filled with people vying for a glimpse. This women, Gwyneth Leech paints on every day coffee cups and many of them are terrific and overall as a collection inspiring. This type of "hand made" work seen live in windows is a fun way to attract a crowd.

Choose Juicy in the Hampton's

Bling is all the rage at Juicy Couture in the Hampton's.

We love these glittery windows with "Choose Juicy" adorned in rhinestones. They are simple, yet clearly eye catching and definitely brand right.

What's catching your eye this summer?

High rolling at LV

Here's a gamble that paid off. Seen here at City Center, these shots of the Louis Vuitton store, show big gold dice used to highlight some of their leather goods in an animated way.

Last Holiday Hurray!!

It's been a busy season so I decided to put up a last round of festive photos to show you what else you may have seen (or missed).

More glitter and sparkle at A/X - sometimes appearing silver, sometimes like a rainbow, strips of plexi added a bit of drama.

Love these mini sweater ornaments! (though a bit unclear of the message or tie in to store)

Oversize light bulb strands - seen here at Kate Spade but noted in many windows (see Banana Republic blog entry earlier in month)

More natural elements but this time done in gold as seen in this tall wrapped stick trees. Note the outside window boxes that add another layer to window.

A bit of whimsy - seen here at Paul Smith in these festive window vitrines but noted all over - did you get to Barney's or Bergdorf's? Love the white scroll window cling border.

Winter Wonderland

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...and apparently so are a few retailers.

We love the snow! and with a few bright touches, like the red cardinal or colorful product, these windows really pop.

Check out the snow made of shredded paper, dixie cups, crumpled plastic and tissue at Anthropologie. It looks like a snow fort you would have made as a kid - which is why it works. When windows create fantasy and memories, you know you have done your job. The white Snow owl on the "fake" tree stump is also terrific and within the 'wall of snow', made out of crumpled white paper, there are other snowy creatures which is fun.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday show so far - get out there and support your local retailers this weekend. Who wouldn't love to finish their shopping early? (then you'd have more time to admire the windows!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

Shine On!

Walking along 57th Street in NY, these windows really caught my attention. Silver squares, the Burberry symbol (a variation on their plaid), filled the windows and the reflective nature was incredibly eye catching.

Remember last Spring when they did a variation on this in red and white and black and white?

Which do you prefer?

http://cdwmerchants.blogspot.com/2009/03/be-square.html

Capture a Moment!

A store window is nothing more than a stage - so get dramatic!

Many brands do well to remember this and freeze frame small moments or create little worlds that grab pedestrian's attention.

Seen here in Milan - the all wood and mirrored box, the safari moment and the perforated metal chamber.

Because if you want to catch someones attention, you must have something to say. But once you do, don't hold back - people love a good show!

It's a car, it's a boat!!

Put something large in a small window and your bound to turn heads!

Granted this car is not large but the makeover is. This is a tricked out "boat model" from Castagna Milano and it was put in a window in Milan on a floor of sand, with a couple of mannequins and some rope to add to the nautical inspiration - and tricked out in a nautical theme, it is! Complete with decking, this car makes you want to head to the beach.

For more info on Castagna Milano - http://tinyurl.com/nhtydb

Does this hat make my @ss look fat?

Remember as a kid when there would be "crazy hat day" in school? Well I use to love to come up with silly creations to wear but sadly mine were never THIS good. You need a strong shoe to balance out these hats!

Kidding aside, here's another example of windows as art and this was a real show stopper. Obviously there is too much detail to capture in a photo but you get the idea AND it can be recreated and reinterpreted in a million ways. The fun is up to you - now get to work!

5 things we LOVE about Visual Merchandising

1. It can tell a story
Good visuals can help a retailer sell the image of their brand. It’s best when visuals tie back to product but as long as the message is clear and the window is effective, we can learn a lot about a brand or store from their windows.

2. It can promote a good cause
Often retailers get involved in collaborating with charities or doing marketing tie ins. Using their store windows to communicate this is a great way to capture pedestrians attention and let them know what is important to their company.

3. It can show me who cares

When retailers take the time to think about the presentation of their store environment, it sets a tone. Good windows, clean selling floors and details like props in display vitrines add interest for the consumer and show that the brand cares what you think.

4. It helps me keep time

Seasonal enhancements and decoratives that reflect the time of year, help consumers know when and what to celebrate. Especially in the busy fall and winter season from Halloween to Easter stores help set the pace when there is one holiday after another.

5. It entertains me

As they say in PR, "bad news is still news" and even when a store window is unattractive, it can get people talking. Often I will pull over to look at a bad window and wonder where they were going with the idea -its like when you watch a bad movie with good actors and ask yourself "didn't any of them know while it was being made"?

We love Stephen Sprouse!

And so does Louis Vuitton as seen here in a tribute window to "re"launch the Stephen Sprouse collection of 2009(the late designer, Sprouse and LV design director, Marc Jacobs originally collaborated in 2001) The NY windows have these wonderful neon flowers and bold Sprouse style graffiti on the glass, while the San Francisco store gets the message across in a large format graphic window cling. Both are dramatic and eye catching. It's the 80's all over again!

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!)