LNO

I hope it's alright to discuss a window I took part in creating :) We just finished this today and are all really happy with the results. We wanted to keep a "two classy ladies out for the night" type of theme. I was really pleased with the berry red backdrop- it makes the colors of the dresses pop and sets the mood for an expensive/nighttime type setting. Because of the backdrop doing that, it allows the dresses to be center stage and it's evident that they want your attention. With the border created inside of the window, we had to put the shoes propped up, and that was a nice touch I'm glad we were forced to do. It added to a sense of proportion and scale. 

Target

I had to run through Target the other day and noticed these cool displays in the juniors department. They were right smack dab in the middle of racks of clothing and it was so eye catching. Raised up much higher than eye level, they were like a mini runway. Though there was no "please do not touch" sign, it was as if they were in a glass box and looked really nice. 

The emphasis of repetition in similar silhouettes and fabrics is very smart and keeps the theme cohesive. I love that they chose maxi length and worked to incorporate some movement, as well.

Get A Clue

This window is located in Turner Hall at Illinois State University. I walk by it all the time to classes and am always gawking at how beautiful the dress is. This was put up by those associated with our historic costume collection and it couldn't look more professional. A lot of thought and detail went into this, I'm sure. The power of emphasis is readily apparent with the intense cranberry-red dress demanding your attention and keeping your eyes glued to it. 

Gigi Bottega

Gigi Bottega, Bloomington, IL

While leaving Reality Bites last night, I noticed Gigi Bottega had an awesome display going on and had to snap some pics. This is quite possibly one of the most exciting windows I've seen from the store and am proud to say it is from the town I live in. Something that I liked most, yet so simple, was that even around 9:30 pm they had the display lit up. I want to go back to see what they have going on after driving by last night!

I love how this window tells a story- the jet-setting girl traveling around in her Gigi Bottega fits. I think it's great how the props work seamlessly with the mannequins and provide different heights and depths for the eye to travel. There are also different pops of color dispersed through the outfits to create a level of symmetrical balance. Every design aspect is working so well together, creating a unified look. All in all, it's a really eye catching window that reminds me of those you find in Miami!

Charmed

Charmed Boutique, Pontiac, IL

Earlier this semester, we took a trip to Charmed Boutique in Pontiac, IL. Unique to the area, this shop is a gem to the town. (Which was very evident even from the window front.)
Hip and modern, the store displayed their fun merchandise in an inviting way. Everything was very strategic and showed off great use of design elements. The mannequins were placed symmetrically, and the pink poms led your eye from right the left, up and down. Rhythm and balance are this windows strong suit and I think she executed that well.

francesca's (College Hills Series)

Another exciting window front, here at francesca's. Lovely pastel hues are clearly their main focus, and just in time for Easter this weekend. It's cute, and the perfect symmetry works for them. The mirror adds a bit of interest and makes the window appear larger and less cluttered. Overall, a solid window with everything in scale, approximate symmetry, and clean lines.

The Loft (College Hills Series)

The Loft always knows how to tell a story about where their shopper is going and what she wants to wear. I like how they incorporate several different looks into one window. The displays are unbalanced, with varying visual weight on each side. This works to their advantage though, creating a sense of movement and flow around the window. With the model in the below picture *moving* to the right, it's okay that there is more visual weight to the left, because your anticipation of her taking her next step brings your eye to the right. It is a subtle way of moving passerby's attention around the large window, and taken in all the merchandise.

Soma (College Hills Series)

window front at Soma, Normal, IL

Effortless, simple, and informational, these windows tell the customer what they need to know. Everything is in scale to the size of the window and everything flows seamlessly. From the signage on the outside, to the mannequin, to the signage on the inside, passerby's eyes would be flittering about. And while the window's signage on the outside might be large and in charge, the focal point is the model showing off her assets in a smart looking set. One couldn't help but just let themselves in the door.

Bath and Bodyworks (College Hills Series)

store front at Bath and Bodyworks, Normal, IL

Okay, is this not the most alluring summer display? The emphasis on color is so refreshing and it stood out amongst a row of at least six stores with the beautiful warm hues. I took the pictures at an angle so you didn't just see a reflection of me, so it may be difficult to picture this, but the poster and Hawaii letters were so big and bold and visible even from afar. It was awesome how pronounced they were, yet perfectly in proportion to the window. Gotta love a display that uses all available space. Great job, Bath and Bodyworks, you make me want to shop!