Art Imitating Art at Fendi

This is the third time we've seen this canvas /art trend used in recent months. In July we spotted this presentation at Cole Haan and then at Urban Outfitters.

Fendi used a similar concept both in their windows as well as their ad campaign. While they kept a more minimal look in their paintings, the bohemian luxury message came through and we wonder...is life imitating art, or art imitading life?

And will will this idea pop up next?

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.

Going back to art school with Urban Outfitters

Here's something we noticed....another set of canvas and wood frames used in windows. Last week Cole Haan used them to highlight their new hand painted line, this week Urban Outfitters used them in their back to school windows.

The canvases are used backwards and in some cases, the canvas has been stripped to show only the wood frames, adding another dimension to these artistically inspired windows.

With the addition of books and lockers, these windows make us want to go back to art school....or at least just look as if we do.