Off the Grid

Armani's inspiration for these windows was a rotating grid. Of course it wouldn't be Armani without a  chic twist. The shallow grid was made of a thin wooden substrate  mitered to fit perfectly at the corners and upholstered in fine black satin and attached to a glowing light-box background, the effect being an aura of luxury that also reflects the details and crisp tailoring seen in their collection. Shone below are some images showing the subtle differences from window to window as some without the mannequins.

Throwback: Galactic Fashion

Back the late 90's, Geoff Howell Studio was asked to created a series of painted planets for a Bergdorf Goodman ad. Even though they they look 'photoshopped' in, they were individually hung by fishing wire from an overpass on site. The plantary spheres were made from styrofoam, coated, sanded, and airbrushed! No heavenly bodies (or their inhabitants) were harmed during this galactic production.

Throwback: 1995 - 17 Magazine - Fairy Tale Prom

Sometime in 1994, Geoff was approached by the creative director at 17 Magazine to  put together a series of drawings to tell the story of Cinderella in a series of double page spreads. Having majored in Illustration, this was an exciting challenge for Geoff. In this case, the drawings were life-size and became sets for the models in this fashion editorial cover story (Prom Countdown).

  In a stroke of editorial genius, the art director hired world famous (and oldest working) model Carmen Dell'Orefice played the part of the Fairy Godmother (see above in purple).

Red Carpet Retrospective

From now until March 21st, the windows of Emporio Armani on 5th Ave and 57th st feature a stunning collection of couture Armani gowns worn by celebrities on the red carpets in the past few years. To help Armani present their Red Carpet Retrospective, we built sleek and simple black risers for the mannequins complete with a thick Red Ribbon stripe in the background.
Both the ribbon and the risers gently incline upwards towards the back of the store which connects beautifully to the graphic incline shape that is repeated in the huge l.e.d. display that covers the facade of the building.

Not to be outdone, Lady Gaga's dazzling outer space dress with sparkly underpants from this year's Grammy's takes the corner window spot.

Although, Beyonce's Grammy grabbing Mini with intricate high shoulders is also a jaw-dropper (image via NBC New York)

Here's a better look from inside the Armani store. Although the gowns get all the attention, this photo does provide the best view of the risers and red carpet stripe we produced.

In you're in New York for the next 10 days, come and check this unique and beautiful exhibit of high-end formal gowns worn by the stars including Halle Berry, Penelope Cruz, Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Avril Levigne, Anne Hathaway, Fergie, January Jones and Elizabeth Banks

Red Carpet Retrospective in the press!

NBC New York

Racked

Focus on Style

Dark Room Sees the Light

In their Meat-Packing District store window, to create the perfect 'exposure', Hugo Boss rolls out the film of their Spring/Summer 2010 collection. Collaborating with the Hugo Boss visual director, Geoff worked with her to design a new display that showcases photographs from the new collection as if the prints have just been developed and hung to dry in the photographer's darkroom.


To achieve this effect, Geoff created a black framed 'dark room' lined with red light bulbs, crisscrossed with string for the photographs to hang from. (see Geoff's original sketch above)

Hugo Boss Soho Loft

The photos below showcase the brand new clubroom and showrooms of Hugo Boss at their NY headquarters in Chelsea. For the clubroom project, Geoff worked with the design team of Hugo Boss to design, fabricate and install a space with a chic hotel lobby style, using an eclectic mix of vintage and modern furniture. At the studio we created the walls (including faux brick), windows, bookcase, carpets, risers, custom light fixture over the table, draperies, faux painted cement floor and distressed columns, tin ceiling panels.

(Full view)

Back at the studio, we individually wrapped hundreds of books, complete with a black wax HB seal

A look behind the walls and windows shows that to achieve a feeling of soft daylight coming in through the windows we used a combination of fluorescent lighting and flood lamps
shining through translucent plexi.

Throughout the ceiling of the club room is a floating series of tin ceiling sections, much like what can be seen in old industrial lofts.




What clubroom could be complete without a bar! Here, the bar uses a white lightbox to illuminate the mix of vintage and modern decanters and their contents in various shades of amber found in delicious aperitifs.


the showrooms were fitted with new merchandise display fixtures including hanging shelves, lockers, risers, hang bars and accessory displays.

To tackle their display line of sportswear we produced the risers for the mannequins and the lockers and shelving for merchandise.

And finally we created a series of lighted display shelves in oak and lacquer to highlight the latest in Hugo Boss men's accessories.