Tag Archives: Visual Merchandising

A GLIMPSE OF CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

Christmas in New York City is other worldly. With a reputation of being ‘The city that never sleeps’ New York City truly comes alive around christmas time. Manhattan is so obscenely crowded that places like Times Square are ‘approach at your own risk’, due to every block being packed to a point where it feels like the whole square is one massive painfully slow moving queue. Its not surprising that people want to spend christmas here. At night the city dazzles, but around christmas, even more so. It is full of beauty and wonder, as thousands of lights dance blissfully in the dark.

Competition is peak amongst retailers during the christmas period. Many establishments splurge in hopes creating the most innovative and compelling visual presentations. This period is one of the most revenue generating periods throughout the year, so visual merchandising is more critical than ever. Christmas window displays for successful retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue are coveted. Crowds subject themselves to a guard controlled queue all day and night for the opportunity to view the windows up close and the chance to take pictures.

Having been conveniently scheduled to work in Saks Fifth Avenue during the week leading up to christmas, I had the opportunity to peruse the windows in person. These windows were absolutely mesmerising. I tried my best to capture them on camera, but although these pictures may speak a thousand words, you really have to see in person to fully appreciate…

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As If By Magic

We snuck into Macy’s and worked our magic to produce this overall stunning visual display from scratch! Hugo Boss’ new shop on Macy’s fifth floor is looking impeccable. After hours of hard work, this is what I helped to construct from an empty space!

Hugo Boss, Macy's NYC, 2014. Shop Opening
Hugo Boss, Macy’s NYC, 2014. Shop Opening
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Hugo Boss, Macy’s NYC, 2014. Shop Opening
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Hugo Boss, Macy’s NYC, 2014. Shop Opening

Visual Merchandising for Hugo Boss

Having mainly experienced visual merchandising for women’s accessories, I was both excited and nervous when Hugo Boss’ influential Visual Merchandiser Christie Rotter offered me the chance to merchandise a couple of the Hugo Boss menswear tables in Bloomingdales! I’ve always known that I am a bit of a perfectionist, one can even go as far as to say I have a bit of OCD, so it took me a little while to complete the first table. However having Christie and the Hugo Boss Visual Standards Guide (HB VM Bible) to assist me was very reassuring and helpful. The following pictures illustrate my first ever visual display at Hugo Boss. The best part of this was getting Christie’s stamp of approval! it was extremely motivating and exciting!

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Hugo Boss, Bloomingdales, NYC, 2014
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Hugo Boss, Bloomingdales, NYC, 2014
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Hugo Boss, Bloomingdales, NYC, 2014

H&M’s Innovative Fall/Winter Mannequins

As most brands are beginning to inject more warmth into their window displays by introducing fall/winter inspired themes. Scarves, knee-high socks and jackets seem to be a common style trend for most mannequins, which is no surprise that H&M have swapped their summer inspired themes to fall/winter. Personally, I think that the most striking element in H&M’s window displays, setting them apart from other brands this fall/winter, is their clever use of mannequins.

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H&M, Fall/Winter 2014 Window Display, NYC.
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H&M, Fall/Winter 2014 Window Display, NYC.

H&M has decided to showcase its transition into fall/winter by swapping the heads and hands of some of the window display mannequins for giant knitted versions. I feel that this striking concept is very compelling with the clever addition of mannequins seemingly designed and dressed to entice passersby with the promise of warmth and comfort. The whole display effectively functions as an attention grabbing magnet that no doubt helps to lure in more customers, especially as the temperature continues its descent into cooler depths.

Sweet Dreams

As I walked through NYC’s Bloomingdales to get to the Hugo Boss tailored clothing section, I passed through the bedding department where I found myself surrounded by luxurious bed sets from brands such as Vera Wang, Calvin Klein and Hudson Park.

Bloomingdales NYC, Bedding department, 2014
Bloomingdales NYC, Bedding department, 2014

This department’s visual merchandising was so amazing, I had to actively restrain myself from diving on each bed as I walked through. While exiting this department I spotted this sign ‘sleep well tonight’ and thought it was very fitting for the department, and is a clever strategy to encourage visitors to ‘dream’ about the various luxuries the department has to offer and possibly to ensure a subconscious link between the department and ‘sleep’ to help lure customers back into the department. I for one would most definitely sleep well in any one of these luxuriously soft and silky looking beds… if only.

Obsessed

I took a little stroll down Fifth Avenue on Saturday and stumbled upon this beautiful window display in one of Lord and Taylor’s windows. I am not too familiar with the brand ‘Obsessed but I love this!. Just amazing.

Obsessed VDC, Lord and Taylor NYC, 2014
Obsessed VDC, Lord and Taylor NYC, Fifth Avenue, 2014
Obsessed VDC, Lord and Taylor NYC, Fifth Avenue, 2014
Obsessed VDC, Lord and Taylor NYC, Fifth Avenue, 2014