Dennis Severs House//18 Folgate Street, London

18 Folgate Street has been preserved in a time capsule of the 18th century. It's an amazing experience of candle lit rooms and smells that you cannot place in our every day living today. As you walk through the house, passing through each room, you take a look at the way one may have lived back then. Everything has been placed in a way that suggest things are still in use. As shown below, there is food placed on the tables, half eaten, proving signs of life, although you never get to see or hear them. Tea is poured in the cups on the tables and the fires are all lit. Its a truly surreal experience and its set right in the heart of 21st century London.

Fortnum&Mason//Piccadilly,London

There is a very Middle Eastern vibe to this scheme, known as the Bizarre Bazaar. Each window presents its products in a manor that suggests trade. Bringing the exotic products of the east to the west. Beautifully stacked and presented making any passer by stop and have a look.

Selfridges//Oxford Street, London

Selfridges has unveiled yet another series of windows - Project Ocean - that portrays the effect consumerism has on the ocean. The importance of protecting our sea's and its creatures couldn't be stressed enough and its great that Selfridges is taking on such a project to get the message across. I am a great lover of the sea and it has been a big part of my life since I was a child, so I believe in and support this cause.

"for every shrimp caught ten other lives are lost"

I thought this window display is really clever as it clearly states the importance of conservation through a service that people trust and rely on to keep their own 'treasures' safe. Although the photo isn't clear, the safety deposit box on the table contains a packet of fish which is a great contrast to the other boxes placed around it on the wall, that contain items that are considered to be more valuable today, such as gold, jewellery, money and so on.

Hugo Boss//L'Occitane//King's Road, London

Walking down the King's Road the message is clear...the Chelsea Flower Show is back in town and the shops are by no means trying to out shine it. They are all showing their support by showcasing some very flowery shop windows, reminding all that it's an annual event everyone should have penciled into their diaries.

Hugo Boss had flower beds placed in their windows, giving off a rather 'home-made-garden' feel.

L'Occitane was just one other store I managed take a photo of. They had their products placed within this brightly coloured bed of flowers.

The Chelsea Flower Show ends on the 28th May, so head on down there and check out the weird and wonderful of the 'green' world.

Dolce&Gabbana//Bond Street,London

The Dolce&Gabbana flower patches.

With a view straight into the store, this window scheme works rather well. The colour contrast with the bright green faux grass and the beige/cream colours of the interior, allow the display to stand out, even if it is placed on ground level. Floral patterns, sunglasses, shoes and other accessories form the ideal D&G spring outfit with an attitude. Everyone is going rather spring-mad at the moment with their display schemes, so this one is very appropriately British, considering how loved and well looked after the majority of the gardens are in this country!

Emporio Armani//Bond Street, London

I can't say I was very impressed with the Emporio Armani window scheme which is on at the moment. It consisted, as you can see above, of neon lighting tubes outlining a human form in an outgoing, energetic pose over the mannequins, showcasing the clothing. I felt it was a bit to much of a distraction rather than an attraction for the windows.

I did though like the interior of the store. I loved the contrast between the concrete palate, the pillars as a form of lighting and the monotone merchandise on the top floor with the sudden introduction of red, drawing all the daring ladies to the lower ground.

Anya Hindmarch//Bond Street, London

Anya Hindmarch's store on Bond Street is preparing for the summer months by introducing a nautical theme to their windows. Small flags and metal rods form a mast, with ropes and an anchor draped around the display while the mannequin bust holds a telescope. I get the impression of delicacy. The display looks fragile and doll-like which portrays her merchandise rather well with a good attention to detail.

Matjaz Tancic//Mimicry

On saturday I came across this exhibition by Matjaz Tancic at the Robert Young Gallery just off High Street Kensington on Holland Street. What caught my eye - i'm not going to lie - was the vinyl of the 3D glasses on the window. Im so glad I popped in to have a look, because I had never experienced 3D photography before.

The images on show were shot both in London and Slovenia, where the artist is from. Tancic visually integrates man with both natural and urban landscapes through the exciting, new medium of 3D photography.

When looking through the 3D glasses that are provided for you at the gallery, the images come alive. It's truly amazing how this artist has taken this technique and incorporated it into contemporary photography.

If you have the time, I advice you head down there and check it out. It's on until the 21st April.

Check out his website: http://www.matjaztancic.com/

Harrods//Rowan Mersh

Rowan Mersh is a textile based sculptor who has been commissioned by Fendi to create a series of leather based projects. His sculptures have been created by utilising off cuts from the brands leather goods . As you can see below, the sculptures have been hung and draped within the large window space with brightly coloured Fendi bags placed through out. It almost looks as if they are trying to replicate a-shop-within-a-shop, as the merchandise has been placed in display cabinets, on mannequins, etc.

Visually its very impressive how these slithers of leather have been bound together to form this marble effect. The flow of both the pieces is equally as powerful. Even the metal rods sticking out on either side lead a nice path for the eye to follow without the sculptures merging into the background.

I'm intrigued to see what Harrods are preparing for their window scheme for spring, as they have yet to be unveiled...

Check out some more of the artists work here : http://www.rowanmersh.com/

Host//Pertwee Anderson & Gold Gallery//Soho, London

Yesterday I headed down to Soho, on Bateman Street, to check out the Pertwee Anderson & Gold gallery where they had the works of Kate MccGwire, Nancy Fouts and Alan Rankle on show. Unfortunately the exhibition ends today so get down there before 6pm and check it out.

Kate MccGwire's work was the most impressive in this small gallery, with her spectacular sculptures made out of feathers. The photos below definitely don't do her work much justice but you get a good idea of the intricacy and flow of these pieces.

The one below is called 'Slick' and is made out of magpie and crow feathers and mixed media placed within an antique fire place.

These are a series called 'Sepal' made out of pigeon wing feathers placed on a archival board.

'Bad Year Blimp' by Nancy Fouts.

Louis Vuitton//Double Exposure

This short film by Louis Vuitton, called 'Double Exposure', is one of a series that is being created to give us an insight into some carefully selected inspiring people's lives. Sam Taylor-Wood is the first in the series, shown here talking about her most prized possessions. Its a great piece of work, beautifully shot, and I can't wait to see the next in line...

Sound Candy

EC2 Creativity

Some of the ever changing walls around Old Street and Shoreditch.

Holywell Lane, Shoreditch

Holywell Lane, Shoreditch

Holywell Lane, Shoreditch

333 Mother Bar

333 Mother Bar

Aubin & Wills // Westbourne Grove, London

I have a slight obsession with lighting and I couldn't not take a photo of this idea I came across in Aubin & Wills. They have taken large flexible-arm desk lamps and have used them to replace the function of spot lights to illuminate their merchandise. They are a lot more appealing than spot lights and its great how they have taken advantage of the flexibility these lamps provide. Its a subtle but eye catching display and I would love to have something like this in my own home!

Twenty8Twelve // Westbourne Grove, London

I came across these mannequins in Twenty8Twelve this afternoon. Honestly in my opinion, the display through out isn't that great. Attention to detail doesn't seem to be key, for example the tags showing on the garments in the window, but a few things are worth having a say about.

The brand has a rustic/vintage/bohemian feel to it and the mannequins situated in store do give off that vibe with the use of their canvases being tea-stained and the mix-match of different forms and sizes. One mannequin in particular worked this image best I believe.

Situated in the middle of the three facing inwards (see below), had arms made out of pretty much anything that could be found to resemble arms. In a way, a DIY job gone slightly wrong, but in this context it works quite well.

Towards the middle of the store there was another bust form that had small strips of masking tape taped onto it, covering the whole of the face, almost as if it had been damaged and needed to be bandaged together. This idea relates back to the hand made arms, which in turn creates some consistency within the whole display.

Zara // 215-219 Oxford Street, London

Zara has impressively come a long way with their window displays in the last few years, and are starting to be acknowledged a lot more in the display design world for their work. For a high street brand, this is a great attempt at competing with the other larger retailers that are located a long Oxford Street, such as Selfridges which is by far the largest competitor.

This display has been on show for a while now but its such a great idea. I can't really tell what they are meant to be portraying, but the way I perceive it is that they are trying to show a somewhat metamorphosis. A change of character.

The mannequins to the left are dressed down in casual wear but are wearing brightly coloured masks that look like the ones used by the wrestlers in the Slam Wrestling contests, which in some respect may come across as a way of hiding ones identity or turning into someone they would like to be. The mannequins to the right almost look like they are doing the opposite. They are coming out of their doll-like shells and turning into 'real life' human beings, showing off their true identities. These mannequins, I believe, really make up the window. The busts are vey well made and speak louder than the mannequins with the merchandise and masks on. On a general note its a well crafted window and I would like to know who is behind them all. So if anyone knows a name please let me know, I would greatly appreciate it!

Google Images.

Thalassa Collection//Athens

Thalassa Collection // Kolonaki, Athens, Greece.

When in need of a scarf, tie or even a handkerchief this is one place one should check out. I have sourced many of my winter warmers here and I will continue to return and this is not only due to its well crafted merchandise but also because of their window display. This window display below I came across when I was in Athens over the Christmas holidays. I love the way they have taken a few colourful cotton hanks, some plastic bottle caps and pins and have bought to life such a playful and fun window. The merchandise is placed in and around these robot looking cotton creatures, mixing and matching the colours creating a very pleasing effect. This is also a great example of how one can produce a window using a low budget, which is a key skill to have as a visual merchandiser.

Mary Katrantzou LFW A/W 11

I can solemnly say Mary Katrantzou is one of my favourite designers. The patterns used, the colours combined, the cut of the dresses and the styling is impressive. The show looked beautiful.

Photos by: Christopher James

Photos by: Christopher James

I added this image below of Chloe Memisevic, as I came across an article discussing the weight and eating disorders of the models, and this was one of the images used from Katrantzou's show. This topic is something that has been around for a very long time but it's highlighted most in the media when the fashion week's of the season start. No one can deny that some of the models on the catwalk look extremely thin and unhealthy and its something that shouldn't go unnoticed. Chloe Memisevic, who is the face of Marc Jacobs, has walked for many top designers here in London, and is considered one of the hottest models of the season. As of this, she is seen as a great influence on the fashion scene which is definitely not the kind of look that should be portrayed and passed on as acceptable. The protruding bones and stick thin limbs also don't do much justice to the garments the models wear.

Photos by: Catwalking.com