I spotted this through H&M's window in Hong Kong a couple of months back. It sums up one of the shifts in retail. Whilst we have seen 'exclusively on line' for some time now, I notice stores on the high streets are playing in this space too. I spied quite a few 'special collections/collaborations, available only in store, for a limited time' during my OS retail snoop earlier this year. As I sit and tap this out, I guess I am wondering just how many 'of these' items H&M made? What was the quality of the fabric and tailoring (if you can call mass production that)?, and, if it's gone tomorrow do we really care? I think we are all pretty confident 'they' (meaning global, volume retailers) will be rolling in another rack of 'must have' designer threads real soon and whatever it was you grabbed before it was gone is likely to be forgotten whilst filed in the the bottom of the ironing basket or, if you're a bright young thing on a budget, traded on ebay before the seams split.
Not that I'm 'having a crack' at H&M or the quality of their clothing mind you. I think they are seriously on top of the retail game. I'm just wondering out loud about the whole fast / volume fashion category and where it's trending? Contact me with clues, or like this on Facebook if you agree.
Limited thinking
IFC & one big tree
That's one big ol' present tree Santa held up during the month of December at the IFC . Via Bluebalu & WPG
Harvey’s in Honkers
Harvey Nic's is a stand out on the world VM stage. Their Christmas windows in Hong Kong were just clever clever clever ... and my pick for the 'big budget' stand out moment this season. A stunning composition of everyday objects formed into fabulous props showcase a snippet of super luxe, high-end fashion and accessories. Soles and lasts maketh the shoe. Naturally the key to a woman's heart in Honkers is a high-end brand handbag (just how many keys did it take to make that bag I wonder?) A teddy made from bottle teets is too cute and the cool dude composed of cassette tapes tickled my VM fancy (I am suspicious my new assistant Charmaine's young man was the model for this moment!). Charmaine is off to Honkers again next week. She is on a POD mission to see what daring Year of the Dragon VM and other shopping surprises she can find to share with us. via Italvision.
Glamping?
D-Mop has set up camp in Ocean Terminal with a fully enclosed canvas cave of denim cool. I gather this is a permanent shop that sits within a cluster of youth fashion brands. Would shopping centre developers in Oz allow such a nimble approach to store finishes and design? I doubt it ... but as the world changes around us all I guess we have to start thinking of new ways to jump the barriers regarding cost of entry to play in the mall, keeping indie brands in the mix ... and customers coming back for more. Spotted in Hong Kong.
Delicate detail
A sculptured screen of stepped-pattern boxes creates quite a stunning shop facade when light and dark comes into play no matter what time of day. IFC, Hong Kong.
Turning heads in Honkers
Ah Hong Kong without the heat and 110% humidity... late winter really is a lovely time to visit. With spring just around the corner, floral inspired windows were everywhere. The super luxe Lane Crawford was more in Mod Squad mode whilst Chanel was sporting flaming red locks which could be spotted a mile away - quite a feat in this city!
Pull up a chair
A display table that incorporates the bar stool look caught my eye. Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong.
Smoke screen
What is nice about walking through this open air foyer is that you don't really notice workers having a cigarette until you walk past their smoke screen, and even then you could easily miss it / just not notice. People smoke... so the clever building management in Hong Kong have thought about how this presents to the passing parade. Somewhere on Canton Road HK.
Cool coke
A traffic stopping decal treatment of this delivery truck certainly stopped me long enough to take a snap whilst walking the streets of Hong Kong yesterday.
Very clever chameleon characteristics designed into this display unit... you can email me if you really want to know more.
