I can see the new style of visual displays starting to take shape and it makes my heart content. I notice with pride that South African retailers are with the rest world in a stance to convert waste into reusable material. Stop for a second “.!.” and think about all the paper that we consume … newspapers, magazines, paperbacks, flyers, posters and the list goes on.  What happens to that newspaper that you read yesterday? That paperback or magazine that you could not put down? Those large format posters that an entire mall of retailers throw away after a 2 week mother’s day promotion period is over? Where does it all go?

YDE, a progressive local retailer, that has recently done a upcycle window display using shredded poster paper to create this fantastic window display. Look at how the layered clothing stands out in this display and how the mannequins are given a new attitude. Hair is a focussed trend in mannequin displays. YDE clearly differentiate themselves here by avoiding the traditional synthetic wig and by making punk hair styles from recycled poster paper. I love it, BRAVO to you. I am a big fan and I look forward to your future displays!

The inspirational Anthropologie has been using recycled material in window displays for the last 5 years. They have used plastic milk cartons, shredded paper, rolled-up newspaper, books and so much more.  They opened their first store in 1992, in Wayne, Pennsylvania and today there are over a hundred stores in America, Canada and the United Kingdom and have a following of fans from around the world. This is a true example of how a retailer listens and learns from a personal shopping experience. Have a look at a gallery of flickr photo’s of a few of their wonderfully unique and skilfully crafted window displays from 2006-2007. If you like what you see, there is more at the following link: The Worlds Best Photos of Anthropologie or this blogspot Craving Anthropologie.

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On a recent prop sourcing project I visited a number of recycling depots looking for 2nd hand material and objects that can be used in a retail environment. I found tons of recycling depots on my adventures around the back streets of Cape Town. Here are a few of my favourites: Oasis Association, Help the Rural Child, Lifeline, Salvation Army, Tears and St Lukes Hospital. These depots offer such a wonderful opportunity for retailers, because not only does this help our community and those beautiful souls in need, but as a responsible retailer you can also help our environment.

Every single one of us needs to get involved in recycling and reusing paper. Here are some fantastic reuse idea’s to feed your inspiration.

Have a look at this wonderful idea for wall paper using pages from an old book. I love looking at this wall created by Wayne Durno in Lower Main Road, Observatory in his store Home Affairs Furniture.

Elle Decoration SA blogspot has some great ideas on bookart:

Here is a tutorial on how to fold books found on a 100% spectacular blogspot by a woman in KwaZulu Natal, Freshly Found – imagine a room filled with hanging paper lanterns!

This is a call to stop buying and manufacturing new items when we have so much waste material that we can use to re-create. When I was in my 20′s all I wanted to do was go to the Yucatán Peninsula a tropical rainforest in Mexico to save the trees from deforestation.. Well now, before it is too late, is our chance to take a stance by contributing to the effort!

Seeing a grouping of little wooden artist mannequins shading their eyes as they look up towards three lights hanging above them make me *chuckle*. I think a little “cuuuute” escaped my mouth as I came down the escalator and gazed at the little group standing on a table inside The Space at a mall in Cape Town. The wooden figures remind me of the little characters from the movie ’9′ produced by Tim Burton in 2009. It is this grouping of little figurines that pulled me into the store to look around and fall in love with the glorious space filled with delicious eye candy.

The unique interior design grabs your attention with a red branded pattern floor decal and floral canvas light box that draws your eye into the depth of the store. The lighting in the store is by far my favourite detail. In the window, three basket weave ceiling lamps hang elegantly composed above a table filled with an assortment of creations. Soft blue tulip shaped lights hang off-centre to the red floor strip like an upside-down bed of flowers. Inside the pink changing rooms chandeliers hang in front of large gold framed mirrors and there is an interesting gnu-head coat hook.

On my left, three tailor mannequins dressed in black and grey present themselves and my eye notes how the outfits fit onto their form. Here I felt that lots more could have been done with the trio and I would have liked to see more layered and fitted styling on the mannequins and much more accessorising. Long sleeves on tailor mannequins need to be pulled or stuffed and pinned into place and certain trouser legs need more shape to add form so that they don’t appear too flat, as this is unflattering and undesirable to shoppers. A few steps further in are two more tailor mannequins dressed in soft flowing floral dresses and my eye swims over the luxurious folds in the fabric. I am very happy to note that the product adjacency for this grouping is in place. On my right the same dress is available on a rail in different sizes only a step away from the dressed mannequin. Looking at the boutique rail I notice the variety of designer labels offered. Each area on the boutique rail is distinctly marked with a designer specific sign and on each garment there is a designer specific label and swing ticket attached.

The Space is not only offering clothing to shoppers, it is a lifestyle offer. This is a place where you can find a music booth with an interesting collection of cd’s, as well as books, notepads, chewing gum, shoes, felt brooches, candles, cushions and Oh-So much more. It is a space filled with ideas for yourself, for your home, for your family and for your friends.

The two windows clearly tell the passing parade what discoveries wait for them inside The Space. “Oh, for fashion sake!” is the crafty line that an illustrated visual communicates and on the other side there is a table filled with an assortment of cultured creations to draw shoppers in. It has a 100% local feel and the vibe is poetically musical with a hint of media and modern art. It attracts both young and old, fashion forward and main stream, the shy and the outgoing. The Space is a retail environment that offers an artistic representation of South African society and our multi-cultured heritage. The store concept seeks to connect people to art and artistic sensibility by presenting a mix of creations in a public retail space in a manner that people can relate to in a universal way. This new type of retailing involves, appreciates and values the shoppers experience by considering the emotions and aesthetic sensibilities of the shopper. The Space has succeeded in creating a retail environment that can be understood by people across a mix of cultures, languages and life experiences. Bravo!

To find out more about The Space visit their website.

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