Take one peg board

As a general rule, a page always needs white space if you want it to be read. Cole Haan have taken a leaf from this book of design to deliver a pared back, yet highly effective, window. Speed reading skills are not required to understand the story. Via RDB.
VM Fashion New York
05/01/2012

A good VM coach

Love B&W. Love simple line drawings. Love this window as seen in downtown Manhattan, NYC. You've got to love Coach.

VM Fashion New York
05/01/2012

Flower power

Why put a bag over your head when a big bunch of flowers is so much prettier? This has been a strong VM trend over the past 12 months with Printemps doing it better than most. Pic thanks to RDB.

Printemps VM Paris
05/01/2012

And the Oscar goes to…

I've looked at loads of Christmas window VM over the past weeks. A lot of the big International retailers with sizeable budgets didn't really hit the mark for me. The Oscar de la Renta store on Madison in Manhattan was a stand out. A spot on brand moment and, I'm guessing, highly likely to be a very cost effective exercise. Via Oscar's PR girl.

VM Fashion New York
04/01/2012

Christmas Sparkles at The Capital

Following on from the 'back story' below, here are some lovely shots of POD's campaign 'Christmas Sparkles at The Capital', Chadstone.

Chadstone Christmas VM
23/12/2011

Ho Ho Ho only 2 more sleeps to go

POD took on another Christmas project (last year we got festive at Melbourne's GPO). We were blown away to be asked by Chadstone to design a new set of decorations and in centre activities. Given how much we love Christmas, how could we resist such a big challenge? After nine months in the making, gorgeous jewels and gems are currently sparkling throughout the centre (but not for much longer given the big day is only 2 more sleeps away). Without a hint of tinsel or a traditional tree in sight, we took inspiration from Milan's annual Salone Immobilare and the premium positioning of Chadstone, with it being The Jewel in the Crown of fashion centres around the country.  POD's positioning statement 'Christmas Sparkles at The Capital' sums it up!

Engaging local talent and production people where possible, we also cooked up an 'Australian' gingerbread house based around a beach bathing box, iced vovos, jam fancies and vintage inspired cookies found in a late 1950's Woman's Weekly magazine. Gingerbread baker, Vicki's Bickies did a beautiful job of making all the biscuits (not literally to size ... as many people have asked!). Sales of Santa photos are up 48% and from all reports "the mum's love it" (we love it that our design is driving sales). Talented Melbourne artist, Beci Orpin, illustrated the 'way too much fun' Face in Place moments and Chadstone gift cards. 'Warren the Wonderboy' applied miles and miles of decal to entry doors, voids and bathroom mirrors. Chas Clarkson produced our design, installed the gems and Santa Set. A super big thank you to a large team of Elves who worked through the night ... for many nights ... to bring some designer bling and Christmas cheer to Chadstone. I thought I'd share just some of the behind the scene snaps of the installation that took place in early November (the pics are a little dark ... and possibly blurry ... after all, they were taken through tired eyes in the wee hours of the morning!)

All the world’s a stage…

Lula Mae attracted plenty of attention with her debut performance at Melbourne Central (a pop up store made from cardboard and embellished with fab illustrations). Her new store is a more permanent structure that still plays on theatrics (my first thought was that it might have been inspired by the Speigel Tent given it is such a hit on the Melbourne arts scene). The shop front harks back to a long gone vaudville era, rich red velvet stage curtains frame the fashion event that is playing in store, canvas backdrops and trees prop the threads on the program. So different. So not boring. So refreshing. So love it. So thank you Lula Mae.  BTW ... I assume this is also a collaborative effort by Breathe Architecture (they did the pop up) ... I was in a hurry and didn't have time to stop and chat to the staff. Would love to know more about who and how collaborated on this one so, if you know, let me know!  Lula Mae, Level 2, Melbourne Central.

Now baking…

Cupcakes have enjoyed a strong run for the past 5 or more years here in Oz. Lots of cute shops have appeared. What I liked about Cupcake Central (aside from the simple black and white finishes palette and retro branding) is the show kitchen where you can see your favorite flavour being baked and iced. Pop in for a peek, you'll find CCC upstairs in the food court area of Melbourne Central.

Melbourne Central Food
23/12/2011

Sussan keeps it simple

Like the Converse hoarding (story below), Sussan's effective use of repeat images and a single colour punch caught my eye. Spotted at Chadstone this festive season.
Chadstone Sussan VM
23/12/2011

Step and repeat

A clever Converse brand conversation happening whilst the store was under construction at Melbourne Central. Love the look now the hoarding is down too!