Artandtrashion: The Art of Window Displays

Window displays are the first point of contact between the public and a brand they act as an outwardly visual representation of the brands vision for that season or collection.

‘The merchandise in the display cases of department stores became the treasures of consumerist society.’ (Bonnie English, ‘A cultural history of fashion in twentieth century,’ 2007)

Personally I love to look at how window displays are created some of my favourite ones are where there is no direct link to the clothes, they are not shown in the window but instead a nod to the collection is seen to by the way the window is styled to project an atmosphere and how you would feel wearing the clothes.

It is a very subjective experience but I want a window display to inspire me and excite me into the shop, not by looking at a mannequin which is wearing a structured outfit which I then want to buy and recreate but by looking at the window display and feeling the brands image is authentic and relates to me.

Window displays in some cases can bring art closer to life to be enjoyed by an unexpected mass public, they are created with such an artistic flair that they stop people who would not normally be customers of that brand to just look and admire.

On the high street my favourite window displays come from Topshop who always set a scene to backup their latest collection, it is a scene in which you would love to be at. Also, Urban Outfitters a couple of years back there was a negative press surrounding their window display of black headless mannequins suspended throughout the window they were reported as upsetting the public, personally I think they were haunting but that is what Urban Outfitters clothes are known for being dark, sombre yet still having fun playful elements to them.

Here are some artistic examples of window displays I found on the internet to share with you