Valentine's Day Windows Part 2

You know, retail didn't really used to place an emphasis on Valentine's day, except for those selling flowers and gift stores. That is to say, I had never seen stores, especially departmental stores do a V-day feature. But look, look, look! This window with pinhole concept not only induces curiosity but by getting the consumer(s) to come closer, it also closes the proximity between couples, forming that one moment of intimacy which should remind couples of that first 'heartbeat' blushing moments! Very glad that Robinsons had decided to collaborate with La Salle on this project because it's very well thought out! Almost impossible to miss out on this display... Hope to see more of these!  

Not so sure if the last pinhole I saw was supposed to be displayed though... Hmmms.

Valentine's Day Windows Part 1

I believe in love, so Valentine's day exists. Ha! At least dear boy needs to just keep watch closely on what he needs to do that day. It's a special day for me, every year. Usually, I would always try to buy or make little stuff to show some love to the closest and most loved ones around me. Some may say it's commercial, but it doesn't hurt to show some appreciation and what more better than to have a helping hand or some inspiration at times? Here are some lovely windows to get started!

1. Muji: The cake pops with the 'poker card' jam tarts looks so delicious. Choosing mostly earthy tones is their signature style but I love the cute wordings and an accompanying red heart with the date as a subtle reminder. >.<

Couple wear, the Muji way. Stylish and still all lovey-dovey.

2. Pandora. Seen a few windows that simply used decals to mark the occasion, which is not too bad considering it's economic. But the reason why I chose this was because it was noticeable enough (nice contrast with the mint green in the backdrop) and I simply love graphic prints!

Not sure if you can see it, the theme is continued in-store, with the graphic heart poster and their collection for Valentine's day in a showcase facing the entrance. Enticed? :)

3. House of Condom: Well not forgetting some fuzzy wuzzy love making-sessions which will be a great top-up after all the food. Though they might not exactly have prepared this for V-day. But seeing the flowers in the window, perhaps perhaps...? A cheeky window to remind couples to have fun and make some time for great, hot, steamy sex in their busy schedules, yah? Let's not hold the lowest record for hei shou, hei shou in the world. Time to buck up!

Part 2 has the best window and a pleasant surprise. Look out for it soon!

xoxo,
Yuhan

Instore Display: petit h

I was reading this compilation of some outstanding blogs from the book 'Style Feed' (Such an irony, I know right?) by William Oliver and Susanna Lau (aka Style Bubble or Susie Bubble) when I came across this. Prior to this, through my research days with my French boss, I had learnt the side of thriftiness of French people despite Paris being the oldest known place housing probably the most number of luxury brands and couture houses in the world. And coming from Hermes with their diffusion line or upcycling project, I truly hope it will bring awareness and encourage people to actually start their own upcycling projects!

  

In any case, even you're not too much of an environmentalist (I'm still not sure if I can count myself as one...), take a look at the marvelous VM display they have put up for the store. From the wall consisting of wooden blocks that can be pushed in and out to create rhythm, hang products or provide fresh outlooks each time to the colored leather fringes that encloses each selling space, making it personal, every space has something for a shopper to explore and be amused by.

Even their window displays are made of props from the scrapes in the 'laboratory', as Madame Pascale Mussard calls the petit h atelier, a term that I totally embrace because of the experimental creative freedom in this word. My discovery of this unique store comes as a little late though (petit h has already made its tour to Singapore while I was in London), but I will definitely jot this down a wish list to fulfill when I go Paris again!

xoxo,
Yuhan

Themed windows: Back to School by John Lewis

Since I was already on the topic of John Lewis, I realised that back in London a couple of months ago, I had actually passed by the store and had a few snapshots of their "Back to School" window displays, which I shall showcase here. In case you're just like me, living in a weird country; where schooling is such a top priority in young children to university young adults, as seen by the amount of money parents are willing to spend on their tuition, but no one sees potential to tap on this "Back to School" theme at all. You can sell a zillion things! See how John Lewis departmental store does it right:

See, when I mentioned that they are a heritage store, what they intended was to inculcate the idea to consumers that this will be THE store not only where your grandparents and your parents shopped, but it will be always there for you and even your future children.

Right from when your little ones come into this world, they're ready for you.

For the girls:

And the boys:

This may not be entirely relevant to the Singapore context where kids wear school uniforms to school. In fact, I guess it's the same for UK kids as well. Nevertheless, the fact that they decided to use this theme, not only makes you think of having to wear new uniforms and get new books, but also remind you to buy new clothing for the children for out-of-school social events such as their birthdays, or just out for the weekend. After all, who doesn't like new stuff?

And I like that they have the posters to clearly indicate the gender so that people don't have to look for clues. There is a whole lot of stuff hanging in there, and I wouldn't believe that a busy parent with a couple of kids on their hands has enough time span to scrutinize what's going on in this window display. The peg walls are good for display a variety of products visibly in this space too, as compared to the plinths. It works especially for outfits, so that it doesn't have to be cluttered with too many mannequins in the window.

I love these three windows below 'cause it's so relevant! Haven't seen a window for college students, perhaps there was, but it was probably just college fashion for the new semester.

 See how this window has attracted a mom and her daughter who might be moving to college soon?

But this is so useful for freshmen who are moving into apartments or hostels as we call it here and want to shop for stuff for their entire living space. The stuff are already nicely grouped into kitchenware and stuff for the bedroom and desk, so they can almost make "wall" selections of stuff instead of going to individual places for different stuff that will probably be mismatched or take up too much time. Who wants what?! College life is all about productivity! Either study-time or party-time! No time to fuss about buying home stuff!

xoxo,
Yuhan

John Lewis - The Brand that touches us all.

So, I LOVE Lily Allen. It becomes clear to me, if I love someone that much, usually I have a very clear recollection of how exactly and what made me fall in love. But that doesn't always happen... (I still love you guys for those I don't recall!) Anyways, my then close friend, Shan, introduced me to her. And the song I fell in love with was "Fuck You" because it was on my mentor, Matt's playlist all the time while we dealt with all the shitty people and nasty uncooperative reactions. Her songs, and lyrics and persona grew into me over the years... and I even had a magazine clipping of her wedding dress designed by Karl Lagerfeld.

Afterwards, she was inactive for a couple of years. My moments were sad, reliving this beautiful voice through listening to her other older songs. She has returned! But for now, most of the songs she sings are collaborations... I want more! Finally, not this one, not this one that she sang for the John Lewis Christmas 2013 ad.

John Lewis retail, a departmental store totally unfamiliar to me until one of my teachers mentioned it during my VM class in Marangoni while I was in London. All I recalled then, was that it was a heritage store and their ad was incredibly touching after I was shown this:

Just when you thought that was touching... How does it get better and better?!

I mean... seriously?!

I have full of admiration for this guy and his direction for the store: how he does this emotional selling so subtly but successful (You realize he always choose the right singers too?) And look at how it then translates into a magnificent window display for their store so customers, young and old, whom have seen the ad can relate and recount that same experience again. And in case you were wondering it's just about being pretty, the video below shows how all these "animals" from the advert are actually made up of different household products that can be found in the store.

Pretty damn amazing and well executed! This marks the start of the departmental stores VM which I will be covering for the rest of the month... partly because I can't wait to showcase what I have been doing the last week for one store! My first project! And that's also how I came to understand how much hard work is put into these mega stores with a zillion brands and products. Ciao!

xoxo, 

Yuhan

Inspiration: Origami birds part 3

This is almost becoming like a trending window! Or has a little bird flew over across the street from DFS Galleria right into the Anne Fontaine window?

In any case, I just can't seem to get enough of these!!! Even though they are all appear to be the same origami bird, as seen in previous entries, (read: Inspiration on origami birds part 1 and part 2 here) VM-ers have used this simple concept to create exciting displays, and at the same time, cater to their personal needs (i.e. individual themes and products that they want to sell).

And take a look at this! Fresh, and very much Anne Fontaine! I must first point out, I totally dig the 'Anne Fontaine' lit brand signage. It was exactly the same idea, same font I had for a signage in my concept store for Selfridges in my Marangoni school project. And as most fans of the brand know, they are well known for their crisp white shirts that comes in various designs each season, so white is probably their main colour in terms of design and also for windows. Here is an excellent example of a window for education; informing the consumers of Forest day which the 'Anne Fontaine foundation' supports. So in this case, it is also promoting the brand itself as one that cares for the environment, and contributes back to it.

In this window, the origami bird couldn't be more appropriate as a prop! Firstly, it enhances the message about saving forests, plant trees, which leads us to think about saving paper as well. Secondly, the paper with its strong, sharp edges but when folded, portrays the grace and natural movement of flying, fully brings out or is at least in line with the brand image for their white shirts: crisp and smart, and at the same time, elegant and graceful. As a side note, circular rings hung together with each bird to highlight this important prop,

The hung feathers, probably to imitate clouds, add to the lightness and natural flow of flight for the birds, and also reminds the customer of the softness of their shirts.Clever use of continuation of feathers on the short plinth brings the the line of sight down to the accessories display, one of the focus point in the window. 

As for the garments, the lighting and the forward positions of the hanging mannequins (especially having one with a white shirt) would have immediately caught the attention of the viewer after reading the line of words on the bottom left.

The only thing I didn't light about the window, is the lighting. As this is an open back window, and with a rather high ceiling, their lights come from the side. That isn't bad, considering from what I see here, the lighting on the products is sufficient. However, having those big cylindrical studio light lookalikes in white sticking out from the side of the window really distracts one from the main window and isn't aesthetically pleasing. I hope that do something to hide it, or at least make it less visible. 

xoxo, 

Yuhan

Store analysis: Kids 21, for kids and parents alike.

I went to my boy's ex-colleague house party cum potluck during the weekend. Most are couples married with young children. The kids are okay, but I must admit, even the cutest kids don't make me feel inclined towards them. Maybe that will change, maybe. But at least this store I saw, ignited the kid in me. It's like a really fun playhouse!

In this first window, the top and bottom area is covered with decals like a border, leaving what's left as a focus for the passerby. The decals seem to mimic waves or the curtains of a theater, and lets one feel like this is a little 'show'. The darker colours helps in keeping focus to the open-backed window, whereas the shades of blue and the dots in the decal propel you to look into the main display, where the dots are followed through by the strings of colorful dots in the background. 

In the foreground, the most outstanding prop that one sees would be the mint argyle print T-rex that is slightly off center. Its tiny hands extend to "tap" the mannequin with the dress, which the spotlight is on, and brings attention to the them. The tail is extended to where the other single mannequin is. And because the T-rex prop is translucent and backwards, the mannequins with the products STAND OUT. The cream bars, as we see later, bring a flow into the store, where the interior layout also has a similar colour theme and props. 

Right at the entrance, there is a huge empty space that leads to the central prop, the carousel! Immediately leads one to think of theme parks and... FUN! Though the carousel may be plain, in a bid to evoke sophistication for the high-end parent-shopper, the colored balls brings in some color to bring out the fun aspect for children and brightens up the single-colored store. The vertical bars and colored balls hanging provides a natural flow from the window to the store floor. Besides just being aesthetically appealing, little mannequins with products are placed on the horses to sell the products!

For the other window, I like how the mannequins have interesting poses (i.e. spot the one on the right bending forwards) and expressions (i.e. the one on the left has his mouth opened as if in shock), which actually brings out the realistic and fun aspect of children, like how everyone is bemused by every action of the toddlers and kids during the gathering.

Now that's one store I'd definitely visit when I'm pregnant!

xoxo,
Yuhan

VM boxes! How cute!

When a shopping mall needs to do VM to advertise their stores, it is no easy task! Especially when the stores can range from clothing, furniture to even food... How do you link them up into a story? Central, a shopping in  Clark Quay, made good use of these VM boxes (probably only enough size for three people) to showcase each store's specialty and some products they sell. Cute!

Never seen a picture made up solely of pasta? Look below! They even have hot air balloons transporting little bits of pasta in this PASTA-LAND! 

I must say, I totally forgot what this box was advertising for. But doesn't it just transports you into that relaxed countryside atmosphere?

Bread, bread everywhere! Swissbake, known for their European bread and cakes displays all the types of bread they sell in a asymmetrical triangular manner. Probably the one and only time I've seen a bread display of this scale. Must have took them a lot of effort to get all the different bread displays.

Any interesting shopping mall VM displays you've seen?

xoxo.
Yuhan

Summertime! windows. Catch it before it ends.

Fall has arrived! For all who are living in temperate countries, this must be a great joy. Nonetheless, every season has its perks, and in Singapore, a tropical country, it's SUMMER all year round! I definitely owe this post on Summer windows, where flowers take center-stage, let's go! 

Saw this the following week after the first post on Seafolly. It just gets better huh? The flower and yellow wording decals, plus the model lying gracefully and relaxed on the beach chair with the latest Seafolly floral bikini, what more can we ask for? WE ARE TOTALLY SPENDING SUMMER LOVING SEAFOLLY!

Their vertical display assortments makes it easy for the customer to spot their favorite design, then go through the column to search for their ideal swimwear according to how much skin they would like to show. Great thinking! 

Okays, for this '20' floral display in Takashimaya at their main entrance in level 1, though it may not contain any product, this huge flashy display informs customers of the departmental store's celebrations and the promotions that comes along with it, and that brings sales for them!

And the 'X' symbol in Robinsons window. It's amazing how our eye responds to simple symbols like this. I like the use of this 'X' border to allow the observer to zoom straight into the area that has pattern with the mannequin in the foreground as focus. The floral print in the background is lovely I would say, and adds colour to the otherwise pretty monochromatic window.  

What are your favorite summertime floral windows?

xoxo,
Yuhan

Trending Windows (Color): Turquoise x Store Analysis: Rimowa

One of the questions that I get asked by friends when I tell them I want to be a visual merchandiser is this: 

"So is it only about fashion/clothes?"

Of course not! Visual merchandising is very simple terms is all about ARRANGEMENT, with the purpose of making it APPEAL to the customer, and SELL! So besides your general clothing store, every single item that can be sold can hire a VM! Even when it comes to supermarkets selling food, there's a lot of thought into which items are place where and which level of shelves. Okay I digress. But my point is when windows are not about clothes, more creativity can be explored! Because clothes usually require mannequins for appeal, whereas items below can be positioned in interesting manners or employ certain themes to bring out the emotional appeal.  

Jewel tones have been trending for a while now. And I must say, for me, my favorite has to be turquoise because it reminds me so much of the sea! (Probably has got to do with my horoscope...) And Rimowa and Mont Blanc used it best!

I loved the voyage theme with with the lighter turquoise as the backdrop with fairytale-like wind patterns. So everything is pretty monotonous except for the contrasting dark grey metallic suitcases which makes it so much more attractive! Had it been placed beside black and navy suitcases I wouldn't have liked it so much.

This is actually the extended right side of the long window with various sizes of turquoise luggage they are selling. Lovely right? The color appeal here is very strong, with the contrasting flame red mats adding onto the focus. I believe the second luggage from the left is purposely left horizontal (i.e. lying on the broader surface) to open up the view of the consumer to the multi-colored display of luggage at the back.

Now look at the right side. Instead of just normal layers of shelving like those boring supermarket shelving, the levels are half-alternated, with some boxed up lit shelves to highlight some key products, which make all these similar looking rectangular luggage display way more interesting than those just stacked together from small to large, and by singular colors. During the time while I was taking the photos, a few passerby had stopped to look. SUCCESS! Making a shopper a stopper!

In the Mont Blanc window below, the use of the color is more subtle. Instead of having full coverage of the color, it is used as font of the poster with black illustrations and light brown feathers, all having the flow and color of ink. But this striking color makes it hard to ignore, and brings the viewer down to the similarly illustrated book at the left before drawing attention to the product. A clever one!

xoxo,
Yuhan

Store Analysis: Brooks Brothers ( + Windows Battle 2: vs Ralph Polo Lauren)

While wondering around searching for Jamie's Italian in Vivocity, I couldn't turn away from this exceptionally well-decorated store! After a little search on Google did I realise that Brook's Brothers is a brand that has already been around two centuries, talk about heritage!  

 

The two wide entrances with some really nicely decorated sports-related props and strategically placed mannequins which really is really inviting. The boxes/cases are put to good use for displaying  clothing and even as a seat for the mannequin!

The windows, though small, are anything but boring! An additional façade mimicking a café shade in the prints of their products enhances the whole old English feel. The curtains at the side helps bring focus to the mannequins/outfits, and so do the background that is closed (for the first and third one) with wall hung pictures that blend in the background instead of fighting with the outfits for attention.   

Did you realise even the lampshades in the store are also lined with similar designs to the exterior façade? Love those! 

Now, I have placed the Brook Brother's Windows right to that of Ralph Lauren's. In the actual location, these are really just right on opposites.  The answer is obvious isn't it?

xoxo,
Yuhan

Trending Windows: 2013 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix - The Ultimate Night Race

Long title here. Just to make sure you guys from around the world know what's like the biggest event happening this coming weekend in my tiny island. It's amazing in the first place that they can find a long enough track route for this event. And everyone, especially the racers, are probably more than glad it's a night race because NO ONE can stand the humidity here; especially when
1. you are from a country with temperate weather,
2. you have only around a day or less to adapt to the crazy weather here,
3. have to be trapped in a thick fireproof suit in an tiny enclosed space going on and on for hours in loops while keeping focused (during the race).

So, for a country as boring as Singapore, with not many major events to celebrate here or people just simply don't bother, this is at least one event that I would be proud to say most (~80%) know or be more concerned about than National day (if it didn't have fireworks, it'll be worse.).

Ta-da! Bread and Butter decided why not make a window story out of it?!

Fast and furious, this sport is unusually charming for... young and dangerous rebels, who most likely love a good pair of jeans as well! (At least that's the case for my teen students and brother who are willing to splurge hundreds on one to stand out.) Secondly, if you're a car enthusiast or F1 fanatic, you'll love this! Not to mention that on the signboard to the right is a 15% off promotion +VGO membership for every $1000 spent.

And really, I just want to summarize this window in a sentence: Gets me RACE-ready! Don't you already feel the adrenaline rushing?

xoxo,
Yuhan

Trending windows: Space Exploration

Alrights, I must admit, coming from a Science background, I'm still quite geeky and have an undying curiosity for these stories UNTIL I have to study it. This week, besides the on-going LFW and NYFW that's got us all excited, space exploration is entering its whole new level as Voyager 1 (one of NASA's space probe sent into space since 70s) is entering interstellar space. YES, that's BEYOND our familiar Solar System.

What's better to celebrate this big step for space exploration than to have a window display with this theme?

Even though the Pull and Bear outfits don't exactly echo the uber cool space astronaut outfits associated with this theme, this one-of-its-kind window was already attracting the right attention for the otherwise pretty boring store that sells overpriced casualwear (there are a few good pieces from time-to-tine but besides that I don't really see the style differentiation from its sister store Bershka). Here's why...

1. Your eyes cannot possibly ignore the blue lit circular lighting when you pass by, which possibly represents the Moon here.

2. The rocket props definitely attracts the boys, especially since the main colour in the window is grey, which also make the red female outfits to stand out.

3. The decal informing NEW COLLECTION is clear and will make you stop to think about stepping into the store to find out more.

The only thing I do not understand is why did they dress the male mannequin in the same shade of grey as the background? The mannequin itself is also grey; allowing the entire product + mannequin to blend into the surroundings. Never a display's purpose!

What's your take on this theme?

xoxo,
Yuhan

Lines in ALL directions

This is a STOPPER.

I have yet to see anything like that. (Maybe I haven't seen enough window displays you would say. But for a new independent store, I dare say this is really impressive.) The thin colored wires that are bound zig-zag from back to front immediately captures my attention as my eye follows the direction of the lines. It draws focus to the mannequins surrounded by it.

Then the background transcends you to another perceptive. One that is upside down; one that draws you inwards...

closer...

towards the center: That mannequin with the hand pondering. (The yellow bag she carries is one of the key focal points.)

So what is she pondering?

Ahhhh. The closet! "What to wear?" are probably all the thoughts we can hear aloud. But look at that closet! Great prop going there! One where you tend to zoom in to the clothes hanging (more than the prop) and yet minimal enough such that it doesn't make the observer feel that it is taking up a lot of space (easy to move it around)

Additional note: See the panels that reflect the background are actually adjustable? It not only creates a more visual 3D effect, but is also synonymous with panels in the store and the closet prop display. Now that's what I call visual HARMONY. Of course, without me saying, the colors of the outfit too!  

And by the way, this AH-mazing store is called iRoo (pronounced ee-row). Had thought it was Korean, but nope! It's from Taiwan. Love it! Even the name is screaming modernism; iPhone/iPad/iPod fans, you hear me? This is the actual meaning of the brand identity I found from the website:

iROO 「i= l；R= Revolutionary；1OO= 100分」which means 100 marks. 

100 marks for best quality, best price, best service, best ambiance.

To see more about them, check them out at:
1. iROO
2. They have two stores in SG. One in Vivocity, Great World City and Marina Bay Sands respectively. What are you guys waiting for?

I've noticed a recent trend in VM pedestals or plinths, as commonly known.

Windows Battle Round 1: Seafolly vs Tory Burch

I must admit, I have not seen that many VM blogs to make such a statement as the one below.

 

But in order to let us all learn better, we really need to see not only the good but also some not-so-fabulous examples of how not-so-wise displays can affect consumer's decision to enter the store and buy products or even their impressions of the brand.

 

So yesterday I was at Orchard Road (again!) : the central shopping area for tourists and local alike. The rentals here are probably the highest, with stores opening and closing in rather short periods of time if they don't step up their game (Just go to Ion Orchard and look at their restaurant sections at B3 and you'll understand, and that's not the only area that has gone through revamp since the mall opened in just under 5 years.)

 

I was passing by Wisma Atria, where Seafolly is located on the 2nd floor. I had taken an interest on this window particularly because the last time around a week ago, I remembered there was a huge gold 'FUN' balloon on display which was already partially deflated and I had no idea why it was still there 'cause it definitely not fun to see something like that for the store manager!

 

Wow. But look what I saw instead! The window has changed! And I loved it! Even though I have never bought any of their products, it's kinda out of my budget, but I do browse through their stores every once in a while because they do have a range of amazing styles! Okay, I digress.

 

What I liked:

1. Clear message: Style Mix (Almost idiot-proof really. With the model in the poster donning on a mix and match bikini with bottom) The poster is well done too. I like the beach wave images on the side; it actually helps bring focus to the main image and yet also create the beach chick feel.

2. Mannequins are well positioned with strong standout themes (e.g. colour: neon green and patterns) for the season. 

3. Closed back window but still able to peep into the store display. (Note the mannequin at the back strengthens the concept/message as well)



It's a different story for Tory Burch.

Store analysis 1: Revamped Club Monaco!

Club Monaco, a store that had its rollercoaster ups and downs in Singapore.

A couple of years back, it opened its only store (at least that was what I knew of) in Ngee Ann City, a white minimalist store with a few mannequins in the windows showcasing their latest outfits, which was nice, but definitely overpriced for high street and especially for Singapore where you can almost find similar clothing, perhaps not as of superior quality to theirs. So as you guessed, I did went in a few times, but never tried any of their clothing, let alone buy them. In short, none of their brand identity stood out, neither unique clothing design nor competitive pricing.

The store was closed down and only until last or this year. I was excited but disappointed at the same time? It opened exactly at the same spot, which was convenient enough to let their good old customers visit them, but that's all?! I mean seriously, if a store closes previous and makes a comeback, whether as a customer or the store should be expecting some form of upgrade or new strategies to stand out? It doesn't help that they are located near Zara, which stocks a similar fashion style in the more mature section (if they have a name for it, please let me know.) with the same in-store decoration.

But guess what? When I just visited the store again last weekend, it moved! Mainly due to the expansion of Zara (the new store layout of Zara needs another entry of discussion.). Lo and behold! Larger windows, and a new store façade!

 I bet the windows were twice the original size!

Selfridges and Co. Window Displays Aug'13 - Denim Studio

This is the first time I had seen such a huge departmental store with so many large windows! And they are all dedicated to the Denim Studio, which I understand is like a specialty store/level dedicated to selling denim. 

Loved this one. It's very personal, very much like every girl's room! And the neon heart brings focus to the sitting mannequin. Sweet!

Even had decal promoting Denim Studio on the doors! You won't miss it!

They even had LOVE magazine to do a styling collaboration with them!

Simple but effective. I love the denim coloured wigs!