WINDOW DISPLAYS - STYLISH OR CHEAP

When we were in London, we passed by Beauchamp Place to look at a few window displays of some designer shops.

Here is a few pictures just to show how to make a window display work and how not to do it - in my opinion!

 

Here is how to do it. I have always admired the classic, subtle and elegant style of Bruce Oldfield, which his window display clearly states. It looks simple and very exclusive.

 

 

 

On the other side of the street, I think the window display of danish designer Isabell Kristensen looks rather dated and cheap, especially with all the things displayed in the front. 

I spent a few weeks here some years ago and was curious to see if anything had changed - Read about my experience in this post. -And tell me what do you think ?

VALENTINO - A REVIEW

The retrospective Valentino exhibition at Somerset House was also quite an experience. . . It looked very impressive the way the dresses were lined up as an audience.

But that meant that we, the audience had to zig zag down the catwalk or walk aginst the stream of people, if you decided to look at one side first. So there was no way to get around and study the dresses.

From this retrospective selection I noticed the lack of consistency and cohesiveness, maybe because it was displayed by theme instead of chronological.

No doubt that Valentino is a Master of Couture. His dresses are very feminine, elegant and impeccable made, though to intricate sometimes.
I must admit I was not that impressed by his designs, except the early ones. They had a certain style to them. But that is as always a matter of taste.

Have a nice weekend out there everyone.

Photos: Daniel Clément

DESIGN SKETCHES AND ACCESSOIRES

It is always inspirational and tells a lot about the designer, how he or she sketches and uses accessories. Here are a few examples from the exhibition, as promised. Enjoy.

Photos: John Frantsen

INSIDE THE EXHIBITION

Some time ago I promised to show you a few pics from The Hartnell to Amies - couture by Royal appoint-ment - exhibition at The Fashion and Textile Museum in London.

"This retrospective exhibition of ground-breaking London designers Norman Hartnell, Hardy Amies and Frederick Fox celebrates the timeless elegance of fashionable London couture. The consummate design skills of these men, publicised worldwide by the patronage of the Royal Family, helped to reestablish Britain´s reputation as an international Fashion Center after the Second World War."

  Extract from the exhibition-catalogue.

Photos: John Frantsen

I was a very nice experience for someone who is into design, craftmansship and fashion-history. The coming days I will show a few more pictures of design sketches and accessories. So stay tuned.

VINTAGE COSTUME CARDS

Finally the prize I won as Close Runner-Up some time ago on the blog Worn Through arrived the other day. It contained three different boxes of Vintage Cards by different Costume designers.
I participated with this Design-sketch. But I had to wait until friends and American connections came my way.

Photos: John Frantsen