Marks and Spencer: The Making of a Christmas Window

Marks and Spencer, Oxford Street, London

I was delighted to find a video by SFD of a making of an animated window for M&S. UK-based SFD prides itself as a key international supplier of inspired retail environments. They were commissioned to design a toy window around the idea of a workshop inspired by Wallace and Grommit and Willy Wonka. With over 50 moving parts they have more than answered the brief.

Read the full story by Paul Brooks from SFD of the making of these windows here.

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Lanvin for H&M

H&M, Oxford St, London

Yesterday saw the lauch of Lanvin’s collection for H&M in London. It echoed Parisian glamour and attitude. ‘The collection was about trying to translate the dream of luxury to the masses’ says Alber Elbaz, the artistic director of Lanvin. The queues were long, but they were cleverly not in front of the windows! They showcased amongst others the extravagant red tulle dress for women and black tuxedo with jogging style bottoms for men.  Special playful mannequins with drawn on faces were designed just for this lauch.


I really like the TV advert as well. Here is the longer video version. Enjoy:


Peter Pan stars in Harrods Christmas Windows

Harrods, Knightsbridge, London

J.M. Barrie, the creator of iconic story Peter Pan was born 150 years ago, and Harrods are celebrating this with their 2010 Christmas windows. They call it a vintage Christmas and it is luxurious as always. The windows are absolutely beautiful and feature classic scenes and characters from the story. To go with this years theme they stock a Peter Pan Collection, which includes Christmas decorations and gifts.

In the story Peter Pan refuses to grow up and flies off to Neverland, makes friends with Tinkerbell, the fairy, mermaids and Indians.

Peter is the leader of his gang The Lost Boys. In this adaptation of the story Peter’s outfit is made out of autumn coloured feathers.

Obviously in the story Peter can fly. I love this miniature London. The whole window looks magical.

Captain Hook, Peter Pans enemy.

Wonderfully Wild Christmas at Liberty

Liberty of London, Great Marlborough St, London

It is the time for my first Christmas post. Liberty’s christmas scheme centres around wildlife and celebrates the nature. The mood is magical yet quite dark.  It is calming to see something inspired by nature at the most commercial time in retail. What is interesting is that the scheme is not wintery at all.

The back walls are covered with blue, green and other earthy coloured glitter material. It is not apparent in the photos but colourful fairy lights are placed on the ceiling. Frogs, caterpillars and butterflies run free… I love the mannequins’ styling. Some of the windows happen in a forest and some are water scenes. The merchandise is a mix of fashion, home wares and other gifts.

I love this caterpillar doll. Very clever!

This tree is covered with Liberty fabrics, and the accessories are displayed on little floating shelves.

Autumn/Winter 2010 Trend Report: Mirrors as Display Props

Various, Bond Street, London

Mirrors are a popular way to create interesting design effects in window displays. They can reflect the product so that the customer sees it multiple times and from different angles. They can make the windows look bigger and create illusions of different space. They will also reflect images of the customer and the outside world.

Chanel, Bond Street. I really like the way the mirrored walls create an illusion of a street corner as well as reflecting the coloured lights.

Chloe, Bond Street. Different angles of mirror create an interesting puzzle of reflections.

Emilio Pucci, Bond Street. Parts of the back panel have mirrors of different sizes, colours and shapes. Some pieces are also on the floor creating a shattered mirror effect. The use of mannequins adds to the tension here: they seem to be having an argument with each other.

Hermes, Bond Street. Fluorescent light is used together with mirrors to create repeated reflections.

Kurt Geiger, Piccadilly. This winter window used mirrored pedestals and props that look like icicles.

Heads up for Zara

Zara, Oxford St, London

Look out for these daring fashion choices at Zara, they will make your heads turn.. The Zara Oxford Street stores are known for  quirky styling and these hair and accessory styling experiments are no exception. There are bandages around mannequins heads, cookies on their glasses and generally the hair trend is ‘the higher the better’. These images will make you wonder why headless mannequins even exist.

The extreme up-do: I like the way it brings the group together.

Protection: The bandages and the forks make a helmet.

The mohawks give the otherwise soft knitwear an edgy feel.

Pile ‘em high and tie ‘em around.

Cookie glasses yam.. this is really cool. The hair is excellent too.

Interview: Stuart Henry from JUSTSo talks display

“A window is a brand’s voice to the world.” and other quotes on windows and clients in an in-depth interview with Stuart Henry, the founder of JUSTSo.

KL: When is a display ‘JUSTSo’? What is the story behind the name of the company?

SH: A project is “Just So” when we have completely delivered and exceeded our clients vision and expectations, on time and within budget. For us there are a few main areas of great importance; the creative elements, production, project management and the installation. When these elements come together flawlessly then our job is done! Having personally worked with the world’s foremost luxury brands and VIP clients delivering anything less than a perfection will not do.

Whatever our clients want, it must be done “Just So”, perfectly arranged with great attention to the finest detail. We take our name seriously and this is the DNA of our business and at the heart of how we think and act. Our name is reassuringly simple. It tells you that what we do, we do without fail. Our name reminds us, and you, that whatever we undertake, we do so with a great sense of pride and understanding.  Our name is a guarantee and stamp of the utmost quality.

KL: What is the structure of the team at JUSTSo?

SH: The core team at JUSTSO consists of six people. In addition to this, we work with the best designers, artists, craftsmen, chefs, technicians, florists, dressers and stylists which are hand chosen for each project to ensure we deliver the highest results possible.

KL: What is important in a client-company relationship?

SH: We build a solid lasting relationship with each and every client we work with. This is achieved by surpassing their expectations at all times and consistently delivering superior quality results. Most importantly, our clients have the reassurance in knowing that we won’t let them down. Whether it be a brief with very short delivery times or a national roll out campaign we treat each and every brief with the utmost importance, however big or small. We build an immense trust with each and every client and ensure they feel they are the most important person we deal with, because they are.

“Our aim with every client is to become an extension of their team and really get under the skin of every brief we receive; we totally immerse ourselves in their brand to ensure we completely understand their objectives and their vision.”

When working with the world’s leading retailers and blue chip companies we take great care, touching their brand with a delicate hand and with much respect. It is through this approach that we ensure everything we deliver “Just So” for each and every client, on each and every brief.

KL: What makes a successful window?

SH: A successful window is one that clearly delivers a message directly to the customer. Whether this be communicating a brand campaign or promoting a new product launch it is all about engaging with the customer passing and giving them an insight into the values and personality behind the brand and the products it sells.

All retailers are looking for ways to stand out and speak to potential customers over their competitors. When this is successfully achieved the customer steps inside the store for more. Successful widow displays have a huge impact on sales and can strengthen the relationship between the customer and the retailer.

KL: How do you see the relati onship between props and the products in a window?

SH: The props used in a window should provide a platform to showcase the products being displayed.  The props should be eye-catching to the customer but at the same time should not take away the focus from the actual product being displayed.

“Props are a great way to tell a story.”

SH: Many factors are considered when choosing what materials to produce a prop from – these factors include;

  • Look and feel of the campaign and how the material reflects this
  • Budget available – we would always look to source the most cost-effective materials in order to achieve the desired look
  • Durability/longevity required from the prop
  • Suitability of the material for Its purpose – i.e. is a certain prop feasible in a certain material
  • Health & Safety
JUSTSo is a boutique visual communications and event management agency based in central London who focus on creative design, visual communications, art direction, window displays, party planning and events for the lifestyle, luxury, corporate, retail and fashion sectors.