Retail concepts

Trainer news: Tom Ford, Adidas Stan Smiths, Nike RT, retail wars



sofia-coppola-Craig-McDean-Interview-Adidas

We’re not even two weeks in and it’s already shaping up to be another good year for sneaker heads.

First, the surprise appearance of trainers (in thrice waxed leather or white velvet!) at Tom Ford’s AW14 menswear presentation. In fact the whole Tom Ford collection was casualised (below), so posh trainers aren’t too out of place…

Tom-Ford-sneakers-Aw14

(more…)



What to steal from Burberry AW14 menswear



Burberry-mens-silk-scarf-Aw14

Oh goody. In amongst all the tracksuity sport-luxe that’s dominating London Menswear for AW14, Burberry brings us the silk foulard. Slung jauntily around the shoulders of biker jackets and teddybear coats, it’s not the most macho look but it’s one I really love.

My favourite was a London map-print (old style, not Google-style thankfully), which also comes on a jazzy silk shirt. My other highlights were the handpainted grained leather Caban coats (£5,500), round-shouldered camel Chesterfield coat (£2,495) and split collared Aran sweater (£1,495).

(more…)



Buy it now: Panic shopping at M&S Your Beauty



Emma-Bridgewater-Marks-ans-Spencer

I’m sure you have last minute gift guides coming out of your ears but I couldn’t not share these from Marks & Spencer.

While opinion may still be divided on its fashion offer (but I’ve seen Spring and I’m impressed), I think we can all agree that they’ve got the beauty buy just right. (more…)



Three’s a trend – Burberry opens experiential ‘Beauty Box’ store in Covent Garden



BURBERRY_Beauty-box-COVENT_GARDEN_STORE_disneyrollergirl

The fashionisation of beauty is rolling along at a jolly pace isn’t it? Following both Chanel and Dior with their standalone luxury beauty stores comes Burberry and its all-singing-all-dancing Beauty Box. The store opened yesterday in Covent Garden’s King Street selling make-up, perfume and accessories.

From the entry-level nail polishes and perfumes plus associated sunnies, scarves and bags, it’s but a short jump to the coveted trench or coat. And thus (the mega-brands hope) a loyal customer for life.

Naturally, a Burberry store isn’t a Burberry store without some digital wizardry at play. So if you haven’t time for a mini mani, try the Digital Runway Nail Bar instead. This ‘playful virtual experience’ lets you try the latest Burberry runway shades by placing the polish onto a radio-frequency identification-enabled platform to match your skin tone to the required colour.

OK, I’m not actually sure what a radio-frequency identification-enabled platform is but it sounds sufficiently snazzy enough for me to seek it out next time I’m in WC2…