Leather Animals In A Paper Jungle For Hermès Window Installation.

For its 13th Carte Blanche, the Hermès store at Hong Kong International Airport is exhibiting a piece by the French artists Zim&Zou, 'The Eternal Jungle', which is an invitation into the wild. (Some of you may recall that I previously posted about the paper crafts of Zim&Zou.)



The window installation creates an intriguing contrast between the jungle, a world that is dominated by wild animals, and one of great refinement, the world of Hermès.




The window is influenced by the abundance of vegetation in Hong Kong and showcases Hermès accessories (such as scarves, jewelry, bets and ties) and a Monkey, a Toucan and a Chameleon crafted of leather off-cuts from the workshops of Hermès.

If this sounds a little familiar, it is much like the lovingly crafted animals made with Louis Vuitton leather goods for their window displays by Billie Achilleous.

Monkey and Hermès tie:

Chameleon and Hermès bracelet:

Toucan and Hermès necklace:


The installation displays the finest skills in paper-cut art and leatherwork. Remaining faithful to its original purity, the artists create intricate objects with the paper, a material both beautiful and versatile.



A look at the impressively crafted animals.

The Monkey:


The Monkey in the display:


The Toucan:


The Toucan in the display:


The Chameleon:


The Chameleon in the display:

The window as it appears in the Hong Kong International Airport:


Zim and Zou

Don't miss this post about another artist who has crafted small animals of leather for Louis Vuitton Window displays:

Gucci Goes Manga. The Italian Brand Collaborates With Illustrator Hirohiko Araki For Window Displays and SPUR Magazine

Italian brand Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini and renowned Japanese Manga artist, Hirohiko Araki, have collaborated to create special store window displays featuring the Japanese artist's illustrations and Gucci's 2013 Cruise Collection.





Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’








Araki has created an exclusive Manga (Japanese comic strip), inspired by the collection and a story that will bring the windows of Gucci's worldwide direct store network to life in January and February. The story is also featured in Japan's SPUR Magazine.



Some sites and blogs are confusing this collaboration with Gucci's previous first collaboration with the Japanese artist in 2011 and posting the wrong illustrations and window displays. Araki worked with the Gucci brand in September 2011 when they collaborated with Spur for an exhibit of Gucci’s 90 year anniversary that featured Araki’s illustrations. Because the exhibit was only featured in Gucci’s Shinjuku store, this time around, the partnership is on a global stage.



Entitled “Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci,” Araki's Manga tells the adventure of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a keepsake from her mother’s Gucci collection. Propelled by the mystery behind her vintage treasure, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. Echoing the sensual color palette and graphic undertones of Giannini's Cruise collection with symbolic references to the House's iconic Flora pattern that has been reinterpreted in a number of the collection’s signature pieces, Araki's extraordinary technique gives a three dimensional effect to his characters.







Spur Magazine of Japan reports:
The illustrative story entitled Jolyne, Fly High with Gucci, tells the story of Jolyne Cujoh, a student who inherits a vintage treasure from her mother’s Gucci collection. Inspired by the mystery behind the piece, she embarks on a journey that transcends time. The result is a stunning collection of art. Heavily influenced by the cruise collection, expect to see Gucci’s historic flora pattern strongly referenced. As Giannini has noted, ‘I am quite sure his window installations will stop people in their tracks in cities around the world as they immerse themselves in the fabulous fantasy world he has created.’

Images of Gucci Manga Window Displays (courtesy of SPUR Magazine):







Araki says ‘Frida’s beautiful cruise collection with its strong colours and graphic designs set my mind racing the moment she showed it to me. From there the characters and storylines came into being so naturally. It was very stimulating to work together on this project.’

images and information courtesy of Gucci, and Spur

A Shoe Lovers' Holiday Fantasy. Red-Soled Christmas Trees For Christian Louboutin Boutiques.

Shoe lovers and Foot Fetishists will delight in these designer Christmas Trees. Studio XAG has created fabulous red-soled Christmas Trees inspired by Christian Louboutin's classic Pigalle spike-heeled pumps that are featured in the windows and interiors of the Christian Louboutin boutiques in Paris and Geneva. As admirers of the brand know, the red sole is an attribute of the luxury label's stunning shoes.



A cast of the brand's classic Pigalle shoe served as the bulk of the design for the trees:








Each red-soled tree is topped with a sparkly Pigalle open-toed pump in various colors as the 'star':



The trees in the windows are set against mirrored backdrops and rotate for the full effect:


photos (some cropped) by Susie Rea, courtesy of Studio XAG