Louis Vuitton's Balloons & Dunes (London, UK)

I first noticed these Louis Vuitton windows during the recent FNO in London and as always - despite my ambivalent feelings towards the brand - instantly fell in love with the assortment of hot air balloons on display. Combined with the sand dunes and classic monogram trunks, the very enviable mannequins seem to be embarking on an exotic journey. If only I could travel like this...

Note how some balloons are toting bags - very cute.

Mini trunks / beauty cases.

Overview of all the windows - featuring more balloons on the second floor.

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Louis Vuitton's Zebra Madness (London, UK)

Back in January, I briefly featured the Louis Vuitton windows of the Paris flagship, which showed two very active zebras having fun with a few of the company's signature handbags. A few days ago, passing London's Bond Street boutique, I had a sense of déjà vu when I sighted not just two, but six life-sized zebras in total. And that's not counting the army of mini zebras in the smaller windows.

I've always wondered how certain flagships of larger brands share their props. Chanel has identical windows throughout the world during the same time frame, but the likes of Lanvin and now Louis Vuitton seem to have touring visual merchandise. In which case, if you have a Vuitton boutique in your neck of the woods, watch out - the zebras may be stopping by in the near future (if they haven't already).

The three zebras in the first section of windows. Note that the mannequin has a matching outfit - very appropriate.

The herd of mini zebras in the mid-section, surrounding a necklace.

A zebra and his scarves. The second storey shows the rest of the display.

A zebra on the second floor, dangling a purse.

The final zebra performs an impressive balancing act (again, continued on the second floor).

The entire display in the second section of windows.

The two smaller windows around the corner, featuring more mini zebras - and bags.

Louis Vuitton's Roller Coaster Ride (London, UK)

I might have a bit of a love-hate relationship when it comes to Louis Vuitton (not a fan of the monogram bags, yet certain collections, shoes and large cases are drool-worthy), but if there's one thing that will make me go anywhere near a tourist-laden flagship of theirs, it's the creative store windows.

This time around, London's Bond Street boutique had an amusement park theme, which saw keychains, bags and boots go on (moving) ferris wheel rides, while suitcases enjoyed the (stationary) roller coasters instead. Unfortunately the mannequins themselves didn't get to join in, but at least one of them attempted to hang upside down from the rails...

Bags on a ferris wheel...

Damier print luggage on a roller coaster.

Impressive: the roller coaster went all the way up to the second floor.

A few SS11 looks.

Shoes enjoying a ride.

This chic lady was replaced a few weeks later...

by this acrobatic mannequin in the same window.

All three windows above joined to create one long roller caoster.

Two miniature ferris wheels in the corner window adorned with keychains.

To see previous Louis Vuitton window displays, click here.

Louis Vuitton's Frolicking Zebras (Paris, France)

As some may know, I'm not a huge Louis Vuitton fan, but now and again I can't help but to snap a few pics of their store windows. They usually alternate between traditionally elegant and playful fun. The latter made a comeback as I was greeted by two very happy zebras who seemed to be having a hell of a good time with a few purses in the Paris flagship windows...

To view the previous windows (including those featuring the ostriches), click here.

While one zebra daintily carried a black Epi Alma bag...

...another tried to balance several bags at once.

All Dolled Up: Frimousses de Créateurs 2010 (Paris, France)

Below: Overview of the exhibition space.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you might have noticed that designer collaborations are everywhere these days. After having just witnessed the latest H&M/Lanvin one, I had a first real-life (puzzled) look at the Valentino for GAP selection last week - and while ruffled khaki cargo pants really aren't my thing and never will be, who can blame yet another designer and high street retailer for joining forces? After all, they're just companies... and companies need to make money. Most of my friends refuse to buy into this whole marketing scheme, claiming it's a waste of money, yet others will happily unload a lot of hard-earned cash for such 'designer' gear. I still have mixed feelings about some of these collaborations, but one of the current joint-ventures does make perfect sense to me - and deserves to have a lot of money thrown at it...

'Frimousses de Créateurs' is a collaboration I already posted about last year. In an annual event and exhibition which began in 2003, big names in fashion, art and design (to name a few) each create a unique doll in partnership with UNICEF, which then gets auctioned off. All monies collected go towards financing vaccinations to aid children in Darfur. Donations in the past have allowed over 260,000 children in Africa to be vaccinated (annually) with last year's donations reaching a total of 285,300 EUR. Of course depending on which doll you want, you might not just need a big heart but an even bigger wallet. But even then, I'm sure those who have spent a bit of money on this, value the fact they've not only purchased a unique designer item (which is actually handmade), but also saved children's lives. This year's collaboration was dedicated to the world of cinema and included not only designers' interpretations of the silver screen, but also had a few stars themselves take a shot at creating a doll.

Marion Cotillard designed herself as a doll, while her partner, actor & director Guillaime Canet, was designed by Dior Homme (center). Other dolls pictured include legendary vintage expert Didier Ludot (left) and 'Baby Gaga' by Tilmann Grawe, the man responsible for many of Lady Gaga's stage outfits.

All dolls went on display last week at the Petit Palais and will be auctioned off tomorrow (Dec 7). A few select dolls can even be purchased online here. While dolls in general sometimes still creep me out, I did love looking at these little creations and wish I could take more than one home. This year, my favorites were Chanel's 'La Petite Coco' and Giorgio Armani's 'Marlène Dietrich'. Which one would you bid on, if you had the funds?

Big-name luxury and contemporary designers

'Tulip' by Dior (left). Louis Vuitton's doll (right) looks like a mini Christy Turlington.

'Sixtine' by Lanvin (left). 'La Petite Coco' by Chanel (right).

'Marlène Dietrich' by Giorgio Armani (left). 'Monica' by Dolce & Gabbana.

Stefano Pilati for Yves Saint Laurent (left). 'Skye' by Chloé (right).

'Elvia' by Gucci (left). Missoni (right).

'Sophie' by Prada (left). 'Barbara' by Miu Miu (right).

Double-sided doll 'Pralin et Praline' by Sonia Rykiel (left). 'Gilda' by Paule Ka (right).

Oscar de la Renta (left). 'Grace' by Elie Saab (right).

'Puccinella' by Pucci (left). 'Ava' by Loewe (right).

Carolina Herrera (left). 'Divina' by Narciso Rodriguez (right).

'Clara' by Emmanuel Ungaro (left). 'Daisy' by BCBG MAXAZRIA.

French Couture and Local Designers

Top row: 'Natsué' by Leonard, 'Yamima Benguigui' by Georges Chakra, Eliza Doolittle by Maison Lesage, 'Rebecca Dark' by Jerome L'Huillier.
Bottom row: 'Mono' by Torrente, 'Sarah' by Jean-Claude Jitrois, 'Clémentine' by Max Chaoul.

French contemporary designers and premium high street

Top row: 'Dolores' by Lolita Lempicka, Les Petites, Comptoir des Cotonniers, 'Liza' by Anne Fontaine.
Bottom row: Antik Batik,' Charlotte l'effrontée' by Petit Bateau, 'Forever Godard' by Agnes B.

Lingerie & Jewelry designers

Top row: 'Ella' by Princesse Tam Tam, 'Susan' by Fifi Chachnil, 'Vénus' by Vanina Vesperini.
Bottom row: 'Mademoiselle Poiray' by Poiray, 'Shirley' by Chantal Thomass, 'Super Ame' by Lorenz Baumer, 'C'est Toi La Star' by Mauboussin.

And the slightly wackier dolls...

Left: 'Popée' by Moritz Rogogsky, 'Mlle Blanche' by Moulin Rouge. Center: Skeleton made out of several dolls - Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, 'Tamara' by Petrossian. Right: 'Carrément chocolat' by macaron master Pierre Herme, Jay Ahr.

More of the over 80 dolls can also be viewed at the official Frimousses de Créateurs homepage.

Louis Vuitton: Of Fabric & Feathers (Paris, France / London, UK)

While I may not be the biggest Louis Vuitton fan on the planet (I see too many of their bags on a daily basis - don't mind the large trunks though), they tend to have some pretty nifty windows and this season I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw in both the Paris and London flagships. The Parisian displays emphasized LV's tradition by showcasing layers and piles of yarn, leather and other materials in a workshop setting. The British on the other hand relied on a few feathered creatures to spice up their windows. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd probably choose the latter, simply because I'm a sucker for humorous displays - especially coming from a large fashion house.

So which do you prefer?

Louis Vuitton Paris (Avenue des Champs-Elysées)

So much leather...

Mannequins on display, incl. one from the Sprouse collection.

Spools of thread...

I need that trunk.

The shoe section.

Patent leather.

Close-ups of the last two windows: a dummy working away and leather piled on a table.

Sketches from the LV jewelry line.

A curtain of thread behind a smart suit.

London, UK (New Bond Street)

Yes, that's an ostrich with a veeery long neck.

Close-up of both windows. Those bags are of course made of ostrich leather. Please note the bird's feet adorned with bows to match the shoes in the next windows.

Gotta love an ostrich that hatches shoe-eggs.