Location: DFS Galleria, Tumon Bay, Guam

GUAM, Nov 18, 1997/ FW/ --- Labels and fashion designers are a very big part of visual merchandising. Most of the time, established brands and fashion houses have a very specific way that they want the store windows dedicated for them done. In fact, they usually send a book of "Visual Merchandising Guide" to the department stores that carries them.

In Guam, due to its brisk tourist trade, a lot of established designers are carried by the DFS Galleria, a very high-end store that is part of the LVMH group of luxurious offerings.

Salvatore Ferragamo is a name that has been in the fashion business for a long time. Known more for his shoes and bags, Ferregamo had been dressing the rich and famous for a long time.

This window features the fall collection of Ferragamo Scarves. The background is a collage of the designs of scarves that are available. A single half form sitting on a black pedestal dressed in scarves make a powerful statement of elegance and simplicity, Ferregamo's trademark.

As always, black is the primary color, but with the rich colors of fall, we see a dynamic presentation. Upbeat, yet simple...an explosion of colors yet elegant... That is Salvatore Ferragamo.

A touch of class! Those are the words that describe this in-store window for the Ferregamo Boutique.

The black and white wall serve as a perfect background for the floating screen made of plexiglass decorated with beige color onion skin paper. The background is very unobtrusive that all you see are the clothes and accessories that are displayed.

Two female black forms, which are signature Ferragamo are dressed conservatively. Two black pedestals show the matching handbags that complete the outfit.

Elegant,modern,sexy - these are the three words to describe this window presentation. A single form, on a gold pedestal, sorrounded by small square mirrors cascading from the ceiling. The dress is white, the form is white, the background is white.

Why did I titled this window "Unbreak My Heart?" It's because this is the same style dress that Toni Braxton wore in her video "Unbreak My Heart" In fact when this window was on display, the song was a hit!

The rich color of brown and copper make this window different from the usual summer fashion window displays.

Technically, this is an institutional Gucci Window. Tom Ford's designs for Spring/Summer used rich colors usually associated with autumn. His brilliance showed through with this collection.

Copper background made of copper sheet (although copper paint can be used to fake it) and rich chocolate brown wall, a Pucci form dressed in a tube dress and lots of spotlights just focused on the form makes this window extraordinary for summer.

This year 1997, the theme for Hermes is Out of Africa, which means that their fashion wear, and accessories, specially scarves will have an African theme. Logically, the windows will follow that theme.

Merchandise and props were used simultaneously to create the atmosphere. Four windows are presented here. Click on each photo to see the discussion.

Hermes is known worldwide for its understated elegance. Subtle and alluring,the clothes and accessories made by Hermes are worn by the world's most beautiful people. The only time I can think of that Hermes hit the mainstream was when it was mentioned on "Basic Instinct" the movie that made Sharon Stone famous. An Hermes scarf was used to strangulate a victim. Other than that, Hermes has remained as it has always been, understated, alluring and subtle.

The year 1996, Hermes celebrated the Year of Music, which is used as the theme in their clothes and accessories.

Salvatore Ferragamo Scarves

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 1997

Gucci's Unbreak My Heart

Gucci Summer 1997

Hermes The Year of Music

Hermes The Year of Music

Hermes Out of Africa