What’s on our COMPLEMENTARY MINDS

Complementary Minds, CoMINDS, is a boutique consultancy for the luxury and consumer lifestyle industries. We commit to help our clients discover new territories and travel innovation trails while remaining true to tradition and heritage. We know the markets, your competition, we are your consumer, and this is how we approach every project. Constantly searching for the one-of-a-kind experience, we connect with brands that inspire us, we do what we love, and we love amazing stories. (function() { window.PinIt = window.PinIt || { loaded:false }; if (window.PinIt.loaded) return; window.PinIt.loaded = true; function async_load(){ var s = document.createElement("script"); s.type = "text/javascript"; s.async = true; if (window.location.protocol == "https:") s.src = "https://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"; else s.src = "http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"; var x = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; x.parentNode.insertBefore(s, x); } if (window.attachEvent) window.attachEvent("onload", async_load); else window.addEventListener("load", async_load, false); })();

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Shopping On-The-Go

This year has been all about the power of mobile – and mobile commerce. When consumers are using mobile, they want anytime, anywhere access to information, they want simple tasks and they expect relevant solutions. To stand out, linking mobile marketing with actionable mobile commerce is key.

So who stands out this year so far? Read about our favorites.

  1) GILT

What it’s about? Gilt is arguably one of the most successful e-commerce platforms – and active on mobile for some time now. Over the past few years, Gilt has been running mobile-only deals to educate consumers to use it’s mobile app. This summer they are kicking off their ‘Summer Must-Haves’ campaign until August 22. Every Saturday at noon ET Gilt will debut new mobile exclusive sales for women, men and home.

Review: It’s pretty amazing. Gilt features big discounts, great brands and you can shop all summer long from wherever you are. The mobile exclusives and first look previews create excitement for the consumer – and they make 40 % of overall revenue just from mobile. Excellent!

  2) LOUIS VUITTON

What it’s about? The newby among m-tailers, French fashion house Louis Vuitton unveiled its new mobile commerce site July 1, which offers consumers in the United States the opportunity to shop on the go. Louis Vuitton chose to break the news via a short video that inspires spontaneity in the consumer.

Review: The marketing is already great – the movie is imaginative and invites the consumer to try the mobile shopping site. And for everyone who knows the LV site - with it’s complexity and long loading times – the mobile site is a revelation. Simple, user-friendly, straight to the point - amazing! 

3) HARRODS What it’s about? Following the launch of their redesigned site in 2012, the release of their new, mobile site represents another key milestone on Harrods roadmap for improving the end-to-end shopping experience for their local and international consumer base. The new site allows customers to shop Harrods many departments through their smartphones.

Review: Offering international consumers a way to shop on the go is likely to help boost Harrods sales and open the store up to new customers. The site is very clean with plenty of options for viewing the products in a visually rich way. The site also increases convenience by allowing registered customers to sign into their Harrods.com accounts for a faster checkout and to access their saved items via mobile. Bravo!

4) BELL&ROSS

What it’s about? The watches & jewelry sector is slowly moving further into the digital sphere. Watchmaker Bell & Ross is taking its print advertisement to the next level by placing a QR code on the page to allow consumers who are interested in the product to find more information and purchase products via their mobile devices.

[creativemornings]

"It’s not about the actual artifacts, but the relationships between them."

August de los Reyes, Senior Director at Microsoft speaking at CreativeMornings/Seattle(*watch the talk)

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Do you have an office in London

Hi!

No permanent office but we cover London clients as well. 

Best,

CoMINDS

[co-minds-blog]

Web 2.0 – Our Favorite Sites Revamp

Innovative online concepts are set to relaunch by integrating more closely content and commerce, or by making exclusive content even more elite.

1) REFINERY29 What’s it about? Over the last eight years, first-time entrepreneurs Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano have steadily turned what began as a local online guide to New York’s cool, independent retailers into a next generation Fashion Media Company. In the coming month, Refinery29 is set to relaunch, yet again, in a move that will more closely connect content with product, and introduce sophisticated personalization to the site. What can you expect? The goal is to drive the connection between brands and the consumer. Right now the articles & stories are separated from the shop – so we are guessing the relaunch will contain a ‘shop-directly-out-of-the-story’ move. Much more interesting is the ‘deeper exploration and discovery through personalization’ the founders are aiming for with an underlying knowledge database of consumers interests. We shall see!

BEFORE (or now in this case)

  AFTER - No preview of the future site yet since it will launch in a month. So we take the opportunity to introduce the founder: Philippe von Borries (left) and Justin Stefano.

(Source www.businessoffashion.com) 

2) AHALIFE What’s it about? Since launching two years ago, AHAlife has already managed successfully to connect more closely brands with curators and commerce for the ultimate discovery experience. On May 3rd the site launched with a refreshed design and innovative new approach to the content and product discovery process.

What can you expect? Since the beginning, AHAlife’s mission was to showcase new products by placing the unique item and it’s designer in the spotlight. Now the focus has moved even more so towards discovery and consumer experience with the new site structured like an online magazine. The story comes first – and via a quick click, the reader/ shopper can directly shop the content and products. We love it!

BEFORE

AFTER 

3) ASW What’s it about? Remember that invite-only social networking site nicknamed ‘the Facebook of millionaires’ that created a big buzz back in… 2005? A tool to keep in touch with people across the globe turned into more of an online-dating site rather than an exclusive jet-set club. Over the course of the last year they have been mapping a new strategy in preparation for a complete relaunch with the aim to become even smaller and more exclusive than before.

What can you expect? The redesigned site will focus on travel, offering city guides, hotel discounts and access to office space in a couple of cities. It will remain true to its social roots, with monthly events in 50 cities and 12 group trips a year. Membership will be resized down to 250.000, and there will be a switch from ad-based to subscription based for an annual fee of $105 – if you were lucky enough to get re-invited. We’ll check it out!

BEFORE

AFTER

[co-minds-blog]

Digital Storytelling of Luxury Brands

The Luxury Industry continues its storytelling – and it’s exploration of the online world. Check out some of our favorite storytellers this season!

JAEGER-LECOULTRE

What’s it about: The Luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre marks its 180 years anniversary with reinventions of the brand's iconic models Rendez-vous and Reverso and a short film with brand ambassador Diane Kruger. The fashion-forward actress/ model has long been a face of the Swiss haute couture watch label, and the 2 minute clip ‘Reinvent Yourself’ highlights Diane's resume, which includes being a ballerina, model and actress. So how often can we reinvent ourselves? The answer: Infinitly. Our Take: Jaeger-LeCoultre made a beautiful movie that plays homage to the leading actress and fits perfectly to the sophisticated brand. The film has been live for one week, with almost 630.000 views on YouTube, bravo.

2)    CHANEL

What’s it about: During the Cruise collection in Singapore Chanel aired for the first time it’s new 18min-long movie ‘Once upon a time…’directed by Karl Lagerfeld with Keira Knightley as Coco Chanel. The star-studded film – starring among others Chanel ambassadors such as Lindsay Wixson, Saskia De Brauw, Stella Tennant and Anna Mouglalis – illustrates how Gabrielle Chanel opened her first hat store in Deauville in 1913. Our Take: As one can expect – beautifully shot in black and white, very classic and true to the style of that time, yet modern – this movie is another masterpiece of the Kaiser. With subtleties and 18 minutes in length, it’s definitely a movie for the connoisseur.  

FERRAGAMO

What’s it about: Footwear and accessories label Salvatore Ferragamo is flaunting its brand roots through a microsite, branded film and exhibition that engage consumers in the legends of shoemaking. The brand launched its exhibition 'The Amazing Shoemaker' April 19 at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum in Florence. To celebrate the launch, the brand created a microsite and short film that tell the history of the shoemaker’s first shoe. Our Take: A whimsical fairytale – very creative storytelling, embedded in a stand-alone microsite of the brand. All part of the exhibition ‘The Amazing Shoemaker’ in Florence. This is a true example of strengthening the online/ offline brand connection.

[co-minds-blog]

& other stories opening Berlin #andotherstories #conceptstore #berlin #co_minds

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German press days spring theme @lyn_mau #zalando #showroom #candyland #germanpressdays

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monki store opening Berlin 😳#monki #opening #berlin #mitte #co_minds

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Absolut Blank Atelier - Creative Thinking #event #absolutvodka #whomadewho #positivemind #struggle #co_minds

[co-minds-blog]

FASHION 2.0 – E-Commerce Round Up

March was a busy month for some well-known fashion brands and in the headlines were some highly anticipated e-commerce launches, particularly Victoria Beckham (finally!), re-launches from Proenza Schouler, Missoni and Zegna. Not to mention H&M’s chic sister & Other Stories with a launch of… everything!

 So what did we see? Beautiful websites - a clear trend of using various media, still and moving images, sound effects and splashes of colors to tell the brands stories. But they all still need to work on adapting their site to mobile.

  1) & OTHER STORIES

URL: www.stories.com

What’s it about: Frankly, the H&M website is not one of our favorites – it’s overloaded with products and really difficult to navigate. But the e-commerce site  & Other Stories shows how the retailer’s online strategy has advanced. The brand has created significant buzz around the new concept with Social Media content on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, to generate excitement and give consumers just a little taste. Overall, the e-commerce site is vivid with a Pinterest-style layout and a very story-telling approach.

Review: Although there are still problems with the site speed and product detail views, we love the concept and the site. It fits precisely with the brand’s values without undermining the user experience. Great story telling!

  2) MISSONI

URL: www.missoni.com

What’s it about: Missoni has a new look! The luxury knitwear-brand was revamping its site and e-store, which was unveiled on March 28. Operated by e-tail giant Yoox Group (as many other Italian Fashion Houses), the new missoni.com will enable users to shop the women’s, men’s, children’s and beachwear collections but will also offer access to exclusive videos, backstage and advertising campaign images, along with social media content. Story-telling combined with shopping experience. 

Review: There were some little technical bugs, but in general it's a great site. Especially the e-shop, which is well made with various product views, detailed description and product suggestions. Simple and pretty, just the way we like it!

3) PROENZA SCHOULER  

URL: www.proenzaschouler.com

What’s it about?: The site was designed by Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough and has a very artsy look & feel with retro fonts and colorful, big scrollable images that convey the brand’s style. The shop selection is focused on bags and accessories, that are nicely presented, and there is even a ready-to-wear section. The brand looks to double its e-commerce business with the revamp and future plans include translating the site into European and Asian languages.

Review: We love the artsy feel – the product selection and presentation of bags is great. But the site is not absolutely user-friendly yet. The navigation is not completely intuitive and the ready-to-wear section has limited images in order to view it properly. Proenza Schouler convey’s a great image – but actual shopping could be made a bit easier here and there.

  4) VICTORIA BECKHAM

URL: www.victoriabeckham.com

What’s it about?: Launching just a couple of days ago with significant media coverage, Ms. Beckham’s site was highly anticipated since its the first time that the brand has offered online shopping. Divided into two sections, "Shop" and "Look," the website features a presentation of her ready-to-wear icon collection, the significantly less expensive Victoria Victoria Beckham line, denim, accessories and behind-the-scenes video and photos. Beckham's e-commerce site has only been live for a couple of hours, but we’ve heard that her retro-inspired tops and sunglasses are already sold out.

Review: Sleek and clean style, like Victoria Beckham herself. The site reflects strongly the core brand values. Not only does the site have a bold look & feel, but the navigation is easy and customer friendly. The video features when looking at the clothes don’t entirely make sense, since it would be nice to see how the clothes move on the body and not some artsy shoot – but besides that, great site!

5) ZEGNA

URL: www.zegna.com

What’s it about: Previously the brand had two platforms – Zegna.com and the Zegna Online Store, which could have diluted the online experience since customers could not access content and commerce at the same time. Now Ermenegildo Zegna has overhauled its digital strategy to combine content and commerce and offer a seamless Web experience to consumers in all global markets. The brand reformatted its Web site to act as a hub for all brand happenings where consumers can access collections, ecommerce, company news and style guides. How smart!

Review: The site has a unique appearance with a vertical scrolling toolbar to the left of the page for navigation to the site’s sections, and a main scrolling pane with a collage of Zegna images. The navigation becomes very intuitive and we haven’t seen any other site with a similar layout so far! Bellissimo.

[co-minds-blog]

Paris – Off The Beaten Fashion Path

With Paris Fashion Week finally over, what quite possibly could be left to discover in this chic city? This season Paris has several exhibitions and store openings that are worth mentioning – and one special birthday! Check it out.

  1) L’haut de gamme: Paris Haute Couture  

Where: Hôtel de Ville

Until when: July 6, 2013. Entry is free.

What’s it about: The Paris Hôtel de Ville is celebrating haute couture and gives visitors an opportunity to admire some exceptional examples of dresses or outfits, chosen from among the most beautiful pieces in the Galliera Museum Collections – from the mid 19th century until today.

Why we love it: More than 100 creations retrace 150 years of Fashion history. There are pieces of the grand couturier from 1858 – next to the latest collection of Maison Martin Margiela straight off the runway - truly inspiring!

  2) Le Corps: Mannequin – Le Corps de la Mode

Where: Les Docks - Cite de la Mode et du Design

Until when: May 19, 2013, 6 Euro

What’s it about: Via 120 photographs, fashion videos, magazine clippings, store-window mannequins, and dressmakers’ dummies, the visitor is taken on a visual journey examining the history of how models have evolved within fashion photography to become key players in both the creative aspect, and the commercial value of fashion imagery. The exhibition explores how varying body shapes impacted fashion and societal trends / movements.

Why we love it: One gains understanding of the changing role and impact of models within fashion - and clothes are not necessary to make ‘fashionable’ photos.

  3) Le Tuyau: Neck Plus Ultra by Henrik Vibskov

Where: Galerie des Galeries (Galerie Lafayette), Entry free.

What’s it about: Henrik Vibskov, Danish Fashion Designer, with an eclectic and colour-rich style, is also venturing in different forms of the arts, such as dance, theatre and even music. The title and theme of this installation is a play on words between the latin motto "nec plus ultra" (nothing farther beyond) and the word neck as an anatomical reference to the neck-like objects, making up parts of this exhibition.

Why we love it: With a poetic, playful and strange tone, he introduces us to what inspires and influences him and builds a whimsical, personal atmosphere. It’s a secret gem right in the middle of a shopping center – amazing!

  4) L’ouverture: Karl Lagerfeld Concept Store

Where: Paris 7eme, 194 Boulevard de Saint Germain

What’s it about: The new concept store spanning two floors, at over 2,150-square feet, is located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, ‘the center of the world’ according to the man himself. The Karl Lagerfeld concept store will host a selection of pieces from the designer’s label, together with books, accessories, and a range of limited-edition items from his numerous collaborations (say – the notorious Coke light).

Why we love it: Um actually…we don’t. As much as we admire Karl for his creative work at the most coveted fashion houses – his own brand and his store are a caricature, most likely why it was empty…

5) L’anniversaire: Colette turns Sweet Sixteen!

Where: 213 rue St. Honore

When: Saturday, March 16 from 4pm-8pm

What’s it about: On March 21, Colette will be a year older: "Sweet Sixteen"! And for that occasion they organize a true ‘kitsch and girly’ birthday party at their water-bar (the bar in the basement of the store) for a kawai-style Sweet Sixteen karaoke with Yellow Ghetto.

Why we love it: It’s girly, there will be balloons, karaoke – and cake!! Or 4 cakes even. Throughout the month of March, 4 amazing Parisian patissiers will show their version of a Sweet Sixteen birthday cake: Sebastien Gaudard, Aux Merveilleux de Fred, L'Eclair de Génie, Chez Bogato. (The one in the picture is Chez Bogato) Yum!

[co-minds-blog]

Berlin - Catching Up With The Hype

There are many rumors about Berlin – ‘poor but sexy’, ‘the Silicon Valley of Europe’, ‘punk meeting tech’,...  Bottom line – it’s a magnet for talented people, a playground for the creative types, with lots of hype but definitely lots of progress.

Find out our favorite things happening in this city right now…

1) Accomodation: Das Stue

Where: Tiergarten Berlin, Drakestrasse 1

What’s it about: A newly opened luxury boutique hotel with an International look and a Danish name (‘stue’ means living room in Danish). The restaurant and bar are designed by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola, aiming to share a ‘feeling of intimacy and comfort with the guests’.

Why we love it: An amazing combination of wood, copper and muted colors – a mixture of historic ambiance and contemporary design. Oh, and the chandelier in the lobby is amazing!

  2) Fashion: Kaviar Gauche

Where: Linienstrasse 44 (Mitte)

What’s it about: Kaviar Gauche is a label based in Berlin founded by the designers, Johanna Kühl and Alexandra Fischer-Roehler in 2005, both graduates in fashion design from Esmod. Their goal: to create a symbiosis between bags and clothes. They include typical bag-elements in dresses, and dress-elements in bags.

Why we love it: It’s a Berlin based brand – but their evening gowns and bridal couture add real glamour to Berlin. And their debut-show in Paris this season was stunning!

  3) Concept store: Oukan 71

Where: Kronenstrasse 71 (near Friedrichstrasse)

What’s it about: A concept-store for Japanese and International avant-garde items. The Vietnamese Berlin resident Tran Mai Huy-Thong combines delicate chinaware with eccentric niche fashion designers, artistic accessories with cosmetics. The store even includes a tea bar with yummy Japanese cuisine.

Why we love it: Shop avant-garde designs while having matcha tea in all variations – can’t think of something more exotic in Berlin?

  4) Exhibition: Martin Kippenberger Sehr gut/ Very good

Where: Hamburger Bahnhof – Museum fuer Gegenwart

Until When: August 18th

What’s it about: In 2013 Martin Kippenberger would have celebrated his 60th birthday - that is, had he not died in 1997 due to an excessive life. At several places in the building, the Hamburger Bahnhof currently exhibits an artist whose work and life cannot be separated from one another - a painter, an actor, a writer, a musician, a drunkard, a dancer, a traveller, a charmer, an enfant terrible and self-producer. In short, an ‘exhibitionist’ as he called himself and an artist who today is considered one of the most significant of his generation.

Why we love it: It’s a mixture of his art and private photographs, books and films. Very conceptual and very ironic, making it a must see.

  5) Fashion Start-Up: Scarosso

Where: Online @www.scarosso.com

What’s it about: Handmade, welted men's and women's shoes – designed and manufactured in Italy – at an attractive price. The best thing about Scarosso is that you can customize your shoes, and that works especially well for Men’s shoes. One can choose the model, the leather, lining, soles, decoration and stitching – and create their very own customized pair.

Why we love it: Shhhhh…We heard that the German model Johannes Huebel (or better known as the BF of Olivia Palermo) will design his own collection soon. We can’t wait!

[co-minds-blog]

WE ARE LIVE!

com·ple·men·ta·ry/ˌkämpləˈment(ə)rē/

Adjective:

Completing; forming a complement.

(of two or more different things) Combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other's qualities.

What started as a fateful pairing during our MBA in International Luxury Brand Management at ESSEC Business School in Paris turned out to be our calling: We launched our International Consulting Company COMPLEMENTARY MINDS with offices in Berlin, New York, & Paris. Today, it is with great excitement that we share the launch of our website www.complementaryminds.com   We hope you love it as much as we do!  Strategic. Visionary. Intuitive. We think together.   Anna, Annie & Nora

[co-minds-blog]

Fashion-Fused Exhibitions

Find out our Five Favorite Fashion Exhibitions happening right now from around the globe!

1) Fashion + Technology @ The Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology

Where: New York

Until When: May 8th

What’s it about: Featuring 100 pieces from FIT’s archives, the exhibition highlights the ways in which technology has influenced clothing including the revolutionary embrace of technology by designers such as Alexander McQueen, Issey Miyake, Pierre Cardin, Elsa Schiaparelli and others.

What if feels like: A simultaneous flashback and fastforward

Why we love it: The big screen video of Hussein Chalayan’s Spring/Summer 2007 Paris runway show playing upon entry, which features five dresses automatically morphing through three decades of fashion, thanks to a computer system designed by 2D3D…it’s amazing!

  2) Hollywood Costumes @ Victoria and Albert Museum

Where: London

Until When: January 27th…hurry!

What’s it about: Sponsored by Harry Winston, the exhibition explores the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling. Bringing together over 100 of the most iconic movie costumes from across a century of film-making, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the clothes worn by unforgettable characters such as Dorothy Gale, Indiana Jones, Scarlett O'Hara, Jack Sparrow, and our favorite of course, Holly Golightly.

What it feels like: A trip down memory lane

Why we love it: You can simultaneously download the ‘Hollywood Camera’ app launched in conjunction with the exhibition and try on the costumes including Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp suit and Viola de Lesseps stunning dress, as well as headdress and jewellery from Shakespeare in Love as worn by Gwyneth Paltrow…oh la la!

  3) Impressionisme et la Mode @ Musée d'Orsay

Where: Paris

Until When: January 20th…really hurry!

What’s it about: The exhibition is centered on the concept of bringing Impressionist paintings to fashion life with displays of fans and hats, of dresses hooped over their crinolines, and of shoes so decorative and tiny that they look like fairy slippers (literally).

What it feels like: A fashion show from theBelle Époque

Why we love it: The end of the show moves into the sunlight — to a grass-green artificial turf carpet, a tweet of bird songs on the soundtrack, lace and frills on the banks of the Seine in the background, while dresses as white and light as a passing cloud are displayed in a vitrine…ah quelle rêve!

  4) Appearences Can Be Deceiving: The Dresses of Frida Kahlo @ the Frida Kahlo Museo

Where: Mexico City

Until When: November 25th (of 2013, a full year)

What’s it about: It's been almost six decades since her death, but the Mexican surrealist Frida Kahlo is more alive than ever - immortalized through her art, and now through her fashionable wardrobe. Focusing on the issues of ‘disability’ and ‘ethnicity,’ the exhibition features Kahlo’s entire clothing collection from her wardrobe, after being locked away for nearly 50 years in her armoires and dressers: jewelry, shoes and clothes that still carry the scent of the late artist's perfume and cigarette smoke or stains from painting.

What it feels like: A true transformation

Why we love it: In order to elevate the exhibit from simple costume into a fashion exhibit in collaboration with Vogue, the show also includes examples of how her style has influenced modern design, including corsets from Jean Paul Gaultier and Comme des Garçon's collections. Our favorite of course, are the Givenchy Haute Couture dresses on display, designed by Riccardo Tisci, from his Fall Winter 2010 Collection…très chic!

  5) Futurotextiles @ Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie

Where: Paris

Until When: July 14th

What’s it about: Combining the creative and the scientific and showcasing innovations from the world of textile, the exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore the worlds of textile, science, and technology. On over more than 1500 square meters, discover how the latest textiles are dreamt up and made, bridging the worlds of art, design and science.

 What is feels like: A futuristic exploration

Why we love it: A playful and poetic journey, you can find pieces by some of the greatest creators of the past few years, and discover new materials, with ultra-light lace at the heart of the exhibition…totally lush!

[co-minds-blog]

TOP 5 Fashion Start-Ups 2012

Fashion 2.0 - What a year it’s been…find out our Five Favorite Fashion Start-Ups of 2012 

1) THE COOLS – www.thecools.com

What it does: A curated social shopping platform where you can follow tastemakers like the Clarins sisters and shop recommendations in an intuitive way that actually makes you want to buy things.

What’s it like: Sort of like Nowness - but better.

Why we love it: Bridges online and offline with pop-up parties including the super-successful “The Cools” Jamboree.

  2) EVERLANE – www.everlane.com

What it does: Set out to change conventions and build a new retail model they create the finest essentials and their own luxury basics without the traditional retail markups.

What’s it like: A greener version of Stylemint.

Why we love it: Also launched already in 2011, they started bridging online and offline in 2012. They have “create your own cashmere” and “silk and sip champagne” workshop classes, yes please!

3) STYLITICS – www.stylitics.com

What it does: The world’s largest social closet platform, it allows users to keep track of their wardrobes (a la Cher in Clueless. Seriously.), like what they buy, how often they wear it, etc.

What it’s like: WGSN mixed with Stylesight.

Why we love it: Because ever girl should have a color-coordinated closet, oh, and it’s an amazing market research tool for brands.

  4) MATERIAL WRLD – www.materialwrld.com

What it does: Curated online fashion community for shoppable personal closets, meaning, the stylish from around the world can peek into each others’ closets and easily refresh their looks with crush-worthy pieces from one another. Also about closets, but more about sharing (and caring).

What it’s like: The Coveteur coming to life.

Why we love it: Founded by two women, friends, Harvard Business School, need we say more?

  5) OF A KIND – www.ofakindcollections.com

What it does: By offering small quantities of very special items, Of a Kind bestows shoppers with exclusive bragging rights in addition to awesome goods. They launched their tumblr in 2012, but they grew up in 2012 and started a private beta for Collections!

What it’s like: AhaLife for only new designers.

Why we love it: Sharing behind-the-scenes footage of the making of each item and the stories of on-the-rise designers. It's all about the details - and story-telling of course.

Have fun exploring!

[co-minds-blog]

Le Baron Plays Hide & Seek at Art Basel Miami

Where is Le Baron? The top Parisian nightclub (with expanded locations in Tokyo, London and New York, along with several pop-ups along the way) goes nomadic for Art Basel Miami – and has developed an app for it!

So what’s it all about? The Miami pop-up Le Baron abandons its 5 year post at The Delano South Beach and will change its location every night from Dec 4-9th, with the location kept secret until 6 p.m. Those who have downloaded the app will then receive a notification with that night’s venue, or optionally retrieve information via Twitter (#WhereIsLeBaron) and Facebook (Where is Le Baron). 

Although the communication covers all Social Media, the door policy remains strict...

Meanwhile, André Saraiva, the founder of Le Baron, is painting the town…pink! Originally a graffiti artist, Saraiva will be tagging the streets of South Beach dedicating his work to the love of his life…his daughter of course.

P.S. You can still find the French at The Delano, since another Parisian nightclub took over the residence… (it’s Silencio, the club designed by David Lynch…shhhh).

[co-minds-blog]

Window Window on the Wall, Which Is the Fairest of Them All?

Finally – it’s holiday season, and the windows of the biggest Department Stores worldwide are getting all dressed up. According to Vogue Paris, it was Le Bon Marché in Paris who started the whole trend back in 1909…and still today their display might be one of the most beautiful! Or is it Harrod’s this year? Or Bergdorf Goodman? We can’t decide…

 There is certainly a trend of moving displays and life-style sceneries elegantly integrating the glamorous creations of leading Designers, and we will show you the most awe-inspiring displays from our favorite cities: Paris, New York, Berlin and London!

PARIS

Galeries Lafayette

This Department Store teamed up with a grande maison – Louis Vuitton. The central theme is ‘The Ball of the Century’ – an extravagant and exotic masquerade of mythical creatures.

Galeries Lafayette, 40 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris

  Le Bon Marché

Le Bon Marché sticks to its roots and pays tribute to its home district, the Rive Gauche or the “Left Bank”. Colorful bags and pieces of jewelry are displayed as little birds in golden cages over the rooftops of Paris…how romantic!

Le Bon Marché, 24 rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris

  Printemps

At Printemps it’s all about Dior – and again, Paris.  Dolls dressed in iconic Dior Fashion pieces are playing throughout Paris, on a carousel in the Tuileries, in a hot air balloon over-looking snowy Parisian rooftops, or in front of the Eiffel Tower on ice-skates.

Printemps Haussmann, 64 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris

  NEW YORK

  Barney’s

Barney’s windows by far stand out from all the others. Instead of displaying real fashion on mannequins, they have big screens playing…a Disney movie! A virtual fashion frenzy where Minnie Mouse becomes a model wearing Lanvin, and cartoonized fashion-icons such as Naomie Campbell, Carine Roitfeld and Suzy Menkes, are sitting front row. The movie is also circulating online:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayzfwJZhKro

It’s an Electric Holiday!

Barneys, 660 Madison Avenue, New York NY 10065

  Bergdorf Goodman

Bergdorf Goodman keeps it classy and smooth – with a theme inspired by the Roaring Twenties: Flapper dresses and feather boas swinging to Jazz music played by piano and saxophone. The showcased designs are by Marc Jacobs, Elie Saab and 3.1. Phillip Lim.

Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, New York NY 10019

  Saks Fifth Avenue

Ballet dancers and a 3D light installation accompanied the unveiling of the Saks windows. The theme of the windows this year: snowflakes and crystals. The best part, the viewer can actually participate in the windows, with the help of a little snowman waiting in the 5th floor to make photographs that are directly transmitted into one of the show windows.

Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Street, New York NY 10022

LONDON

Harrod’s

The legendary department store on Brompton Road commissioned 10 artisans to create unique gowns for fairytale princesses, among them: Elie Saab for Sleeping Beauty, Oscar de la Renta for Snow White, Christian Louboutin for Cinderella, Missoni for Mulan and more. Certainly one of the most enchanting Christmas displays this season!  Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road  London SW1X 7XL, United Kingdom

BERLIN

KaDeWe

The German department store keeps it traditional with Christmas trees and angel-inspired ballerinas. The theme is: Christmas from the viewpoint of a child, where Christmas presents can be seen from extraordinary perspectives. Tauentzienstraße 21 10789 Berlin, Germany