Bvlgari New York Accordingly

Bvlgari's new Fall windows have caught our eye. Rachel Weisz, their new face for Fall is featured in large scale prints encased in gold frames set upon ornate backdrops.

The according paper risers added a nice touch with their decorative honey comb style in earthy tones. The jewel tone color scheme works well here as an accent to the gorgeous pieces featured inside. It made us stop for a second look. Swing by and check it out yourself, if the jewelry doesn't draw you in the windows will!

What's behind the curtain at retail?

Most of us think of curtains in the traditional sense with drapes of fabric used to give shade to our windows. In visual merchandising the use of a "curtain" can be widely interpreted and help lend excitement to a store window.

Here are a number of ways stores create a "draped window" - ranging from the traditional curtain to much looser uses of the word. Whether it's to tie in a color or pattern as The Gap has done to highlight it's gingham collection or to add visual interest as seen here with a beaded curtains at Sears Kardashian shop in shop.

Curtains, traditional or in alternative forms, are an effective and simple tool to add dimension to a visual presentation.

Trendspotting - Fabric panels

Here's something we noticed recently....fabric panels are back! Whether they are used to just add a dash of color (or in this case be a backdrop FOR color), or to reference shapes like a sail or a tent, simple fabric backdrops can do "a lot with a little".

and if you can add a lot of impact, with a little effort and relatively small budget....it's a very good thing!

Note the various hanging options too - with rope, or invisible wire or hung from a pole, there are a HUGE range of possibilities available. go to it!!

RL Kids SALES off to summer!

Summertime...and the living is easy (or at least that's the sales pitch in this whimsical window from Ralph Lauren)

With fabric flag pennants a flutter, simple geometric cabanas, and lofty red balloons, this window has the promise of long, carefree days and cool nights.

Good windows can take you away and as is RL's specialty, this one takes you back with a nostalgic reference to summer of days gone by.

VMSD mentions CDW Merchants in 'Props and Decs'

In the recent issue of VMSD, we are included in the Props and Decorations section for our fabric garlands.

http://vmsd.com/content/garlands

Originally made for Aerie, these fabric flower garlands were created to tie into the colors and fabrications of the collection and help highlight the product in a true visual merchandising effort.

Ever mindful of our intention - VM helps retailers sell product!

Let us help you with a cut and sew project.

Blowing in the wind...

colorful rags helps set the mood of the season - the wash on the line in the summer breeze, the bright colors, the tails of a kite - carefree references to summer fun!

Design on a Dime

The 5th Annual Housing Works "Design on a Dime" event began last night. This is a great fundraiser for a terrific organization committed to ending the twin crisis of AIDS and homlessness. This event asks designers to create rooms on a small budget (as the name implies)and then everything in the vignettes is for sale. Here is a sneak preview of some of the room vignettes set up (more to come later) - I noticed similar themes from the interior design community as are being seen at a VM level within retail.

Lots of repurposing - seen here a door as a bedboard; frames and focus walls are still very strong; creating drama with use of curtains; books, books books; the use of a single item repeated - in this case flowers on the mantel; natural elements - tree stumps, sand, foliage, flowers, etc. Also - the red bedroom is Ty Pennington for Sears. Overall lots to see and great inspiration!

Have you seen any cross discipline themes recently? Where?

March Mirror Madness

March can be a GREY month so it sure was nice to see these colorful windows. Created with panels of colored fabric and various shapes of colored mirrors; they liven up a bleak landscape and make one look forward to the colors of spring. Plus the reflective nature of the mirrors capture pedestrians' reflections which adds an eye catching element that makes you take note.