June 6, 2011
The possibilities of retail lighting in the future and the implications and opportunities that it could transform the customer’s shopping experience are exciting to imagine. Philips Lighting Headquarters showcases a lighting lab to explore the potential ways customers may interact and respond to lighting. Read more of this post
April 19, 2011
Some sports enthusiasts will pay a pretty penny to enjoy their favorite pastime. Check out the video courtesy of Co. Design Daily of “A Modernist’s Foosball Table”, priced at a mere $68,000. The foosball table marries the personal passion for the game with high design. Whether or not you are a fan of foosball, one must appreciate the attention to detail in this piece. Click here to see the video.
March 30, 2011
While strolling through the streets of London recently looking for the latest and greatest retail and hospitality venues, some colleagues and I stumbled upon the doors of a hidden gem, Tsunami Kitchens. Their mantra is “life.style.” and style they deliver in the most refined manner.
January 19, 2011
The web continues to provide new avenues for a brand to connect with consumers. I recently stumbled upon The Anthropologist—Anthropologie’s latest web addition that removes itself from product and emotionally connects and inspires consumers with a variety of topics—photography, craft, artistry, etc.
January 3, 2011 1 Comment
First things first….we all know how much we love to eat around here. So vote for your favorite crave for the Creative Fuel Wing Ding.
December 17, 2010
Telling an authentic brand story has always been a mantra for Ralph Lauren. Taking that brand story to the next level is what Ralph Lauren recently accomplished with stunning dynamism at its two iconic flagships in New York and London with digital mapping technology creating a 4D experience.
(be sure to watch the video)
(still image via ftape.com)
December 4, 2010 1 Comment
Designers have amazing skills. The method to which we “create” our designs is ever changing. Technology pushes the realm of possibilities and presentation styles. (Adobe Creative Suite Products, AutoCAD, 3D Modeling software, Google SketchUp, etc.) It is amazing how “realistic” design concepts have become because of technology. While I find rendering in Photoshop on a Wacom to be equally relaxing and empowering, there are times I wish I only had my “Pilot Razor Point II Pen” and my “Prismacolor” Markers.
For me the “craft” behind the design has always been a point of inspiration, and of all designers it is fashion designers I envy the most. I find their drawings and ideations to be emotive, dynamic, artistic, and just jawbreaking. I admit it. I am jealous.
The Design Museum in London currently is showcasing a collection of Fashion Design sketches. Read the full article at Wallpaper and be inspired. Below are a few images that caught my eye.
Source: The Business of Fashion, November 4, 2010
Image of the exhibit at the Design Museum London
November 19, 2010 2 Comments
As they say, Paris is the “city of lights”, a beautifully, electrically charged, yet historically grounded city.
A recent trip to Paris was “illuminating”, so many sights to take in. Yes, there are the famous sites which are beyond enlightenment: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre (which was at one time someone’s residence!), Notre Dame, etc., but there is so much more in the “everyday” for the eye to take in: the food, the fashion, and of course the retail!
Merchandise presentation is an art in Paris: a visual feast for the eyes. The attention to detail, craft, beauty, and art behind the product or service is impeccable. For anyone visiting Paris, I recommend seeing anything! The selected shots below are from random days of “window shopping” encountered throughout the city. Enjoy….my favorite is the “paper skirt”. Yes, the skirt is made of paper!
Every good dress, needs a good matching shoe: the paper shoe is from a stationary store.
Random shots:
Details: Citroen & Mercedes-Benz
November 18, 2010
I find this quote to be equally true with design …
“What drives me more than anything is curiosity, a sense that you can never really get to the end of music. It’s an eternal journey. You think you know a lot, but the more you find out, the more you realize you don’t know anything. It’s a constant source of curiosity and search. And wonder.”
Source: SKY Magazine, Delta Airlines, November 2010
September 27, 2010
It is exciting to see new retail formats popping up across the world. Clearly brands are taking a moment to analyze the opportunity to differentiate themselves, reach a broader customer base, and make an even stronger brand statement. Here are two quick examples of new formats that have caught my eye….one is a digital retail store and the other an accessories only concept.
Gucci has launched a Digital Retail Flagship ”taking advantage of today’s technology and thereby seamlessly integrating rich content, shopping and social networking to provide the site’s monthly 2.5 million unique visitors with an aesthetic and customer-oriented experience that replicates the one they have when entering a Gucci signature flagship store”. (Refer to FashionandRunway.com) This is more than your ordinary website taking the ability to see the merchandise and experience the brand digitally to a whole new level. It is definitely worth checking out. I recommend selecting a product and exploring the ability to look at the detail of the piece. The concept is intriguing and a great way to see and feel as if you are moving through a Gucci experience, I do however still long for the ability to touch, see, and smell such wonderfully crafted products!
(via Gucci)
Dolce & Gabbana has also launched a new retail format: an accessories only concept. And while an accessories only concept may not be a first, what is really intriguing about this concept is that “the store carries not only their own collection, but also the lines of young emerging designers.” (Refer to WWD.com). What an exciting way to support up and coming talent and showcase a breadth of ideas.
(via WWD)
