Shop Watch: London

Thursday I was down in London, and I had a chance to get snappy happy along oxford street and carnaby street. I spotted some exciting visual merchandising working the current display trends. See below:

Topshop:



Topshop Oxford Street are working multiple trends, from global traveller - with animal prints, aztec patterns and raffia bags. The cut-out trend I spotted last summer is a big design influence at Topshop, as can be seen from the swimsuit, to cover ups - this shall stay strong for A\W - for a 90s grunge look. Denim of course is huge this season and has taken prize position in their windows, with denim shorts and jackets. Kahi green, nude, pale pinks, tan and cream are the dominant hues. Styling is layered, they have used headscarves, tie-up sandals, sunglasses, clogs, wedge strapped heels and tan leather bags.

Urban Outfitters: Last summer I noticed the use of banners, in-stores and at Top Drawer. Urban Outfitter has now created an eye-catching and colourful window, with the simple idea of using lots of streams of banners, which I believe to be very effective.

H&M:

H&M have taken on the current tropical Brazilian trend as I call it. Using bright vibrant colours and patterns of tropical leaves, animal print and flowers/birds. I particularly like the added touch of the headscarves and chunky ethnic jewellery. The washline in the background is an added way of getting more merchandise in the window.
Diesel: Taking on the same tropical trend in a different manner, Diesel had flower arrangements on mannequins heads. Nude colours and distressed denim were the prominant trends here.

Liberty:


When ever I am in London, I always stop by Libery, here on their large poster they currently are tapping into the Alice and Wonderland trend, using large props that make up a tea party. From the out-of-scale teapot, cake stand and cupcake. The step-ladder also taps into the current trend for the prop. As for the side window, Liberty have cleverly used the current growing rural trend I am spotting, use a floral bicycle, wicker baskets and a white country sign.
Carnaby Street:




Some other trends that were apparent in London's windows were: the illustration trend, which is still going strong, the use of suitcases/the idea of travelling, bicycles, grass, items hanging from chains and hooks, denim, florals and stripes.
All own photos

The Elephant Parade

For anyone unaware The Elephant Parade is a charity event, where designers from all over the world have adorned fibre glass elephants. Each decorated by a different artist or celebrity, the elephants brighten and beautify the city, enhancing every park, street corner and building they grace. Running from May to July 2010, this is London’s biggest outdoor art event on record. With an estimated audience of 25 million, the aim is to raise £2 million for the Asian elephant and benefit 20 UK conservation charities.

The elephants are installed all over London to raise awareness towards the conservation of the animal, in India. And whilst I was in London on Thursday I spotted a few around Oxford Circus. Take a look at the ones I spotted, unfortunately I only spotted 6 of the 250 designs! However they are to remain in London over the summer, its my mission to photograph as many as possible!:

Recent Purchases

Apologies for the lack of recent posts! - i know its no excuse, but I have genuinely been bogged with work, deadlines research etc. However I shall make up for this loss, starting with my exciting recent purchases.

Firstly - this bird cushion, I first spotted this adorable cushion in Elle decoration a couple months back, and I loved it instantly. Randomly I came across it in Nottingham's Tokenhouse - a lovely gift shop with a homes section, where I found this treasure.

Next Primark have some great fashion bargains, the other day I bought these gorgeous floral denim shorts, which I wore yesterday with the thin tan belt (teamed with a striped shirt and boyfriend blazor, completed with a matching vintage tan leather bag). Also in the hope that we get some nice summer weather I bought this blue rose patterned dress - which was a steal at £5.



Next with the intention of soon booking a holiday to ibiza, I got rather excited and started my bikini shopping. Having looked around yesterday it was H&M that impressed me, and i got the two bikinis below. One is a beauitful floral rose print (I can't seem to get enough!) and the other is a more vintage 50's styling in a polka dot pattern.


Finally my Topshop finds, with an interview nearing I was on the hunt for something to wear for this occassion, I finalised on this beautiful draped waistcoat with a black lace panel at the back, it can also tie at the back, though I choose to tie it round the front. As well as a summer staple I purchased a leotard, I am also planning on getting a lace one for nights out.


There are some fantastic finds on the highstreet, with so many wearable and feminine trends there just too much choice this season!

Shop Watch

I am afraid its only a small update today on shops' latest VM, as my camera ran out of battery on me! However before it died I managed to get a few pictures. Trend thats were apparent were the use of fake grass in windows, seen at Jack Wills and L'Occttaine (the latter of which also had crates and flowers). Also Lush is keeping with the travelling trend, and cardboard trend - by combining the two and using a cardboard suitcase to display products. Finally Diesel's new campaign 'be stupid' uses bright yellow and images of elephants - once again an inventive and innovative display.

Lush

L'Occttaine

Jack Wills

Diesel

All own photos

Farm Fresh Fashion

Angela Lindvall in Elle US: May 2010 works the denim and farm trend. Backdrops include - haystacks, wooden fences, barns and a lake. These images are beautiful, especially the one of her in black and white with the chicken. Makes me miss my home in the country!

Hay Play

Haystacks have been a popular backdrop for fashionshoots this season, taking inspiration from the farm trend and Chanel's S/S 10 show Eniko Mihalik here in Glamour Hungary: May 2010 works the rural trend.

Farm Trend

More images here on the current farming trend, this time from Elle Italy March 2010: