This week’s blog is a special Visual Merchandise edition as the VM and Display Show returned in all its glory for the 26^th year from 20^th to 21^st April, showcasing the best talent the industry has to offer.  Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, the record number of visitors were treated to a visual extravaganza of colour across a number of stands, bringing all aspects of this creative industry together under one roof, from mannequins, print and props to POP, lighting and fabrics.

As we are expanding more into the visual merchandising market, we felt it was only right to send some representatives to get some industry insights and the chosen ones just so happened to be Lauren, soon to head up the VM desk, and Sophie, our resident POP guru.  Both found it to be a fantastic and worthwhile experience and came away feeling they had made an impact on a number of the exhibitors while developing and expanding their knowledge.

With so much to see and so little time it was difficult to get a true feel for every stand and take in all the little details, but Lauren and Sophie were still able to identify which stands really stood out for them personally.  The Straco seal of approval went to;

Global Display (GDP) – The company used the show as a platform to launch their contemporary mannequin collection to create a dramatic and eye-catching stand.

Stylographics – A vibrant stand that really exhibited the variety of products the company have to offer with an interactive twist in the guise of a pop art style selfie booth.  Not only a Straco favourite but also the recipient of the SDEA Best Stand Award.

Lucky Fox – Another easy on the eye stand, whose minimal yet vibrant contribution really captures the essence of the business.

Amongst the many goodie bags and draws to win champagne, there were an array of other spectacles to behold from exhibitors, such as Headworks 3D who used this year’s show to launch the world’s first talking 3D holographic virtual mannequin, created in conjunction with Interactive Imagination.  StudioXAG and VCG Colourlink integrated interactive aspects into their displays, newcomer’s Make. and Millington Associates used crayon creativity with their stands, and both Matt Wingfield Studios and Riot Creative Imaging created hugely vibrant and inviting exhibits.

Also present at the exhibition was the winner of the VM Graduate Challenge, Sally Kemp from Hertford Regional College.  Her fantastical yet contemporary Midsummer’s Night’s Dream theme denim display ensured her success in the challenge, winning her a work placement with Harrods.

And so concludes another successful year for the VM and Display Show, we hope you enjoyed the exhibition if you were lucky enough to attend or we managed to fill in the blanks if not.  As we come to the close of this VM special let us leave you with this thought from Debra Templar…‘If eyes are the windows to the soul then shop windows are just as revealing. They reveal the soul of the shop.’