Hobbs, London

We have a few launches to include in the next batch of entries as there are so many events and new collections being delivered for London Fashion Week.  We thought that we would squeeze this entry in of another RIBA collaboration, which in this case is between the fashion brand Hobbs and Donald Insall Associates.  The concept apparently responds to the ongoing regeneration of Regent street 'bringing the external scaffolding internally, creating a sculptural installation'.  We have to be honest with you that we didn't actually realise that this was one of the collaborations as the scaffolding is indeed on the outside of this building too.  We are really pleased that this brand have done something different, but really, really?  We're not actually 'sold' on this concept which is such a shame for such a high profile site and an Architectural brand which normally do some incredible projects.  We would have expected to see something a little less shirking and so ordinary particularly as some of the other brands have raised the bar so high.

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Hobbs, London

OMG, WTF is going on with Hobbs?  Oh we do wish that these guys would raise their standards, in fact we are sending you guys creative vibes as we type.  This is just too awful to even comment, isn't it?  We've decided to include this brand in the hope that someone somewhere within the brand reads this and grabs this frumpy 'ole puppy by the throat.  We've all said sayonara to the likes of 'Woolies', the Pier, Barratts and so on.  Will this brand be one of those where we all say, 'Oh do remember Hobbs? maybe not, but in the meantime guys, do you really think anyone is going to steal merchandise from your windows? (remove the tag.....the jacket is not hand spun by nuns in Utopia, is it?)
 

Hobbs, London

 

We rarely include the brand Hobbs on this site and this is a shame.  We really  want this brand to look good but we always struggle to say something nice about them.  The lighting here is cheap, yet expensive to run and bleaches everything; the scheme we've also already seen at Prada, Banana and Primark approximately two years ago.   Sigh.  Clearly the brand are spending the least possible on their Visual Merchandising even on their flagship store along Regent Street.  Some re-alignment of funds would do this brand a massive favour.

  

Hobbs, London

Oh Hobbs sweetheart what the frick are you doing?  Animal heads were on trend a year ago.  We did screech to a halt when we spotted this lil' 'ole scheme on South Molton street, but only because of the dead eyes of these bird heads. This scheme reminds us is of  the film 'Calendar girls'.  You remember the one where all the women from the local WI get their boobs out for a calendar?  Lots of other 'institutions' followed suit and some got it completely wrong.  Remember the middle-aged women's weaving circle that flashed their bosoms and lost thousands of pounds because no-one wanted to buy images of females with their scary middle-aged brown saucer-like nips being flashed on a calendar? (pounds as in sterling not weight for those of  our readers stateside).  Anyway,  cu'mon guys, you want our hard earned cash - make an effort?  Mannequins with dead-eyed birds heads on mannequins dressed like frumps is just not enticing.  Get ya'self a copy of The Mix Mag. and invest in great VM's to turn yourselves around; it really is the only way.

Hobbs, London

Apparently this week is Wool Week - until the 17th October at least - here in the city.  Around town we can see all sorts of creative schemes picking up on this thread (no pun intended) and no more so than Hugo Boss, Jigsaw, Daks, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Saville Row itself.  Apparently Selfridges will be driving a flock of Yellow sheep along Oxford St., Jigsaw is holding knitting lessons, and Saville row has been turfed over so that two flocks of sheep can graze on this sacred tailored ground.  I will try and get some images of these little Gems as this is so incredibly exciting that how could I not share this with you.  These kind of 'happenings' are absolutely what London is about.  The creative thought and the chutzpah of these events continues to make this city the place to be.  In the meantime, Hobbs is one of those brands that I have never covered and usually find myself giving this store a very cursory glance, however, wow guys, I love what you have done here.