Window Shopping: Holiday Displays of 2011

What was once used simply for promoting merchandise to potential customers, the practice of window displays has become an art form in itself.  Perhaps one of the most dramatic examples of this can be seen throughout the city of New York during the holidays.  With no shortage of decadent designer labels, the boutiques that line fashion hubs like Fifth Avenue and Soho become like gallery exhibits for the hoards of tourists and locals alike who congest the sidewalks as they make stops between holiday festivities.

 

BLOOMINGDALE’S at 59TH STREET

Bloomingdale’s has been consistent in its use of themed storefront displays, and it didn’t disappoint this holiday season.   Known for its iconic “Brown Bag,” the store combined vintage with high-tech, featuring animated shopping bags that revealed scenes featured on bags of holiday seasons past when opened.  The five display windows were even interactive for spectators, who could photograph themselves to be featured above the window and on a Facebook page hosted by the department store.

 

 

 

 

BARNEYS NEW YORK 

While I’ve always been inclined to believe that Barneys can do no wrong, I must say I wasn’t impressed when it came to the 2011 holiday windows.  Rather than the typical reindeer and jolly Santa that lift our spirits in the cold New York streets, Barneys’ store windows paid homage to a very un-holiday-like Lady Gaga.  Those who dared walk through the open-mouthed entrance to the store on 60th Street would find themselves surrounded by Gaga-designed clothing, accessories, and even edible confections.  The series of windows designed by Nicola Formichetti in collaboration with Barneys’ own Creative Director Dennis Freedman, featured conceptual installations inspired by the pop diva.  While done beautifully, there was nothing festive to be seen (nor were there even any clothes).  Not to mention the swarms of obnoxiously giddy pre-teens girls who set-up winter camp in the store.

 

 

 

BERGDORF GOODMAN

Although Bergdorf’s didn’t play into the typical holiday kitsch either, its holiday windows were glamorous and dramatic.  Bergdorf’s Senior Director of Visual Presentation David Hoey and his team produced the series, entitled “Carnival of the Animals,” and featured divine winter looks from labels including Naeem Khan, Alexander McQueen, and Marchesa.  Backdrops of imaginary destinations inhabited by exotic animals dripped with everything from copper pennies to mosaic tiles to a Baccarat chandelier.  One could easily lose themselves in these elaborate scenes, which had such and air of nostalgia and fantasy they would put Santa himself on the naughty list for being green with envy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIFFANY & CO.

 Tiffany’s displays are never lacking sparkle, but this holiday season the storefront went 3D with vignettes inspired by the Central Park Carousel.  Upon peeking into each carousel-framed window, one could see whimsical ponies, lions and giraffes frolicking amongst precious jewels in snowy facades and hitching themselves to sleighs carrying light-blue boxes.  This delightful display would easily be a fantasy for children and adults of all ages — especially ladies with an appetite for the very best gifts that come in small packages.

HENRI BENDEL

Bendel’s celebrated the city where it all started back in 1895, going full glitz at its Fifth Avenue flagship store.  From Rockette-like mannequins above the entrance and in massive gold rotating “HB” rings suspended from the ceiling, to Ms. Liberty herself draped in brown and white parading her dachshund in the front window, Bendel’s screamed “New York, New York!”  The finishing touch was a massive gold cityscape centerpiece to the store, but even that couldn’t distract shoppers from the glittering baubles displayed around it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

The lightshow of bubbles and snowflakes projected onto Saks Fifth Avenue’s façade this holiday season could be enjoyed from across the street, but those actually able to make it through the crowds up to the windows (not an easy feat) could see a magical display of snow, suds and storytelling.  If not for all of the one-of-a-kind commissioned designer couture – with several labels ranging from Stella McCartney to Olivier Theyskens — this wonderland of moving parts and music would have one believe it was conceived from the imagination of Walt Disney himself.  Inspired by the children’s book “Who Makes the Snow,” Saks’ window told the story of a girl named Holly who loses herself in the depths of the fabulous department store, finding how bubbles in the lightshow are made (entitled “Land of the Bubblemakers”). But of course, Saks is already the stuff dreams are made of.

 

BELTS and BOWS and STARS, OH MY!

While not all the stores created a massive production for their windows, they did get festive by dressing up their storefronts.  Tommy Hilfiger stayed true to the red, white and blue with a bow while Cartier turned itself into a present anyone would be thrilled to find under their, albeit gargantuan, tree.  Meanwhile, Fendi reminded us to accessorize in style by trimming their store with belts, and Gucci got glam by sparkling with stars.