FIT students "kick it"with Keds at Lord & Taylor

Lord & Taylor brought the backyard indoors in their current summer windows. The windows featured Keds shoes designed by FIT students and used topiaries to merchandise the four winners of the design contest whose shoes are currently being sold at Lord & Taylor.

Elements of grass, garden hoses, and faucets also adorned adjacent windows while traditional white Keds hung from faucets screwed into the

walls.

We like the simplicity of these outdoor themed windows. In this heat, we just wish the garden hoses were active.

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?

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.

Rugby's "Under the boardwalk" never looked so good

or at least I don't remember one this clean. And I haven't been to a beach with cacti but I like it. The 70's vignette of a phone booth, bike and surfboard is good.

mmm this is making me want to play hooky.

Stripes Are Us

intersecting lines, diagonal stripes and plaids have been seen around town highlighting summer windows. Used as a bold contrast to a cool palette and as a complement to seasonal madras, the graphic trend helps frame these windows. As the summer heats up, keep an eye out for cool and let us know where you spot it.

Change is good!

Here is a bold redesign at Kate Spade's 5th Avenue store. In an effort to keep things interesting for their customers this store was completely transformed by turning the entrance way into a colorful boutique within the store. Beginning with stripes painted on the sidewalk and leading up to the door, they carried this idea through the windows, onto the floor and up the walls of this new "parlor" entrance. It really carries the eye into the store and makes one want to venture forward. Once there the colors unfold and tell a story of summer and the adventures that await you. And if you need a rest, the new seating area is intimate while offering a birds eye view of the comings and goings on this busy Manhattan corner.

Where have you seen signs of stores "keeping it fresh"?

Sand Castle Delight

It's not so hard to think about getting into a swim suit when you are a kid...but this sand castle definitely helps set the mood! The bottom line is summer is approaching and there is fun to be had in the sand and surf. So get your beach wear and head to the ocean! While you're there build yourself a castle.

Now that's my idea of an inspiring prop - what else are you seeing that says summer fun?

The Invisible Woman

Recently in Buenos Aires we saw this very creative use of depth perception used in a window. Yet again, another great window execution for little money and a little good old fashioned merchandising tricks!

Now you see her, now you don't!