Dial M for Madewell

While the Brits may have decided their bulky phone booths were obselete and removed them from most streets, their design continues to inspire.

Recently Madewell included them in their windows, perhaps as a nod to the Alexa Chung collection (the Bristish TV personality, editor and stylist).

Last month, they were used at Bloomingdales with the Rachel Zoe window.

Using a large iconic prop in an otherwise simple window presentation works well and adds a burst of color and dimension. And where else can super heros change into their costumes?

Uptown Girl by Rachel Zoe at Bloomingdales

America's most notable stylist, Rachel Zoe has launched her clothing collection and Bloomindale's gave her window space to make a splash.

She does a nice job of telling a story through propping and the windows have a pleasing affect. From the mini Eiffel tower, to disco balls in a British phone booth - the themes of leisure and playing come through nicely.

Head over and see what this Uptown Girl is up to.

Attack of the Little People...again

We've been seen this visual trend all over the city! The use of the articulated manniken to highlight products.

To introduce her new fragrance Diane, at Bloomingdales, Diane Von Furstenberg will be hosting an event and used them to help announce it.

We find these little mannikens charming and when used well, enhance a window in a simple way. Here they are awaiting an autograph. Stop by and see them for yourself!

Who wears short shorts (at Bloomies)?

The current Bloomingdales 59th Street windows are a colorful ode to cut off shorts.

White backdrops and chairs lit by gel covered lights focus on the shorts in a whimsical manner by suggesting the length has been cut off. strips of fabric remain in piles of denim and assorted bright colors. All of the mannequins are wearing the shorts and holding over sized white scissors.

Here's a fun narrative window that tells a good story about a product they want to push.

Roping us in at Levi's, Polo and J. Crew

Rope is turning up all over - seen here at 3 different retailers recently in NYC.

Levi's on 59th St used rope to make curtains with hooks dangling in asymmetrical patterns. They were also shown in literal form hung like traditional 'rock climbing' rope complete with wood carvings which resembled small mountains.

At Bloomingdales Ralph Lauren Men's Store loose rope was displayed on the floor with nautical props.

The placement was relaxed yet deliberate and the other elements in the window helped add dimension.

J.Crew had a similar nautical theme but kept it clean with no additional props. Rope was used as backdrop in various widths connecting from floor to ceiling to create a rope wall of sorts.

Collectively, rope works well in these windows and is used effectively to tell three distinct visual stories.

Fashion and Art

The two have had a long intertwined relationship!

Whether being used directly to capture customer's attention or to compare the range of offerings to a rich palette of paints - art and fashion go hand in hand. Here are two examples seen recently.

Window environment

Here are 3 very different windows each with the same general idea - creating an environment or character's room within the window that helps convey the brand. In each of these, the retailer is trying to reach their customers with the use of story telling through props. The upper left is J. Crew's "artist studio", the lower left is Diesel's homage to the 80s via the 60's and the right is Bloomingdale's pop tale for Rebecca Taylor. All have a unique point of view and it's fun to see these visual stories as you walk along.

Capturing Color

So it seems color is aplenty, must be more signs of spring. Here is a visual story, communicated in color blocks, the 6 suggested steps to a spring wardrobe for those who amble by (which are many as this is bloomingdale's after all). The background unfolds like an accordion as the tale develops. Visually the window reads like a brochure or catalog and the progression caught my eye. Would you 'turn the page' or go inside and shop?

PS - I cannot get this in numeric order (blog deficient!) so forgive me. Thanks.