Wednesday, December 20, 2017

OPULENCE...BERGDORF GOODMAN

 As a reader of this blog will tell you, when it comes to the windows of the holiday season, Bergdorf Goodman is almost always, hands down my favorite. This year’s theme at Bergdorf’s...a ode to New York City, highlighting some of the cultural institutions that make the city famous, such as the Museum of the Moving Image, the New York Botanical Garden, and the New York Philharmonic. I loved the window that was a tribute to the American Museum of Natural History since it featured glittery dinosaur fossils and a mannequin in a silvery dress. 

In the New York Philharmonic, standing before an astounding sculptural starburst of red neon musical instruments, a conductor leads her orchestra. The visual tempo accelerates dramatically toward a final flourish, and her audience demands an encore

In a sparkling, classical setting based on architectural features of the museum’s lobby, the Museum of Natural History, a band of bejeweled dinosaurs encircle their ringmaster, mesmerized by her luminous presence.

In the Museum of Moving Image,  with its eclectic visual references, pays homage to New York City in wintertime, to the history of filmmaking, and to the allure of mid-century Hollywood. A pair of icy film cameras flanks an extravagant Art Deco movie marquee, while a dazzling large-screen montage of black-and-white film clips adds visual motion. Spotlights illuminate the leading lady 
In the New York Botanical Garden window, as if in a dream, two gardeners rest in a surreal botanist’s library, amid a proliferation of soft-sculpture plant life. Trees, plants, and flowers have been hand-rendered in a variety of fiber arts 
With a key to the city in hand, a tour guide presents a trove of New York City historical artifacts, both diminutive and monumental. This ensemble of vivid papier-mâché portraits and sculptures are actually witty reinterpretations of objects from the collection of the New York Historical Society.

Truth be told, most of my favorite looks were actually on the 58th Street side of the store, across from the Plaza Hotel.It seemed to me that while the backgrounds were tributes to the city—the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, the founding fathers (a tribute to the Broadway hit “Hamilton” I am sure)—the clothes were tributes to the socialites of yore! I have been reading Truman Capote lately and have Babe Paley on my mind because of it, so I can’t help but see a bit of Babe and the other society “Swans” Truman so loved to pal around with.
And of course, no other store, to me anyway, can surpass Bergdorf 's in such a elegant interior of sparkle and opulence, and their attention to detail and customer service. This is cream of the crop, and their holiday décor is stunning in a white and grey color with taxidermy thru out. Can I be like Eloise living at the Plaza, except I'll just live in this store?!?!
A seashell theme tree!!!!!
Lovely....just lovely.

23 comments:

  1. If you could choose just one, which window would you live in?

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    1. Wellllll....since I'm partial to red......and music and harlots liking red it would be a New York Philharmonic.

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  2. can you imagine the budget these stylists have? and I bet the idea for next year is already in the planning stage!

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    1. They generally start planning the day after the current ones were installed. Budget????

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  3. Sensory overload! Gorgeous.

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  4. Wow. Wow. WOW! Totally different from anything I've seen. Haven't been there in years. One of my over-budget sister's favorite places.

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  5. They set the standard alright!

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  6. I've got a hangover from yesterday's post, so the opulence is making my head hurt! I do appreciate the creativity of those who can do this kind of stuff. I also enjoy your enthusiasm, sweetie.

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  7. Each year I am more amazed at what they do. My favorite (above) would be the tribute to the moving image. So few people realize that it all began in NYC.
    Hugs!!!

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  8. All that and they have a bar in there.

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    1. oh, so THAT'S why maddie likes bergdorf's!

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    2. She says its the architecture.

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  9. In all my years, I have never seen a department store that elegant. Now that is luxury.

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  10. I adore Bergdorfs. When I have the extra money, I will treat myself, but i always,stop in to see the store and walk it. Therecservice is exceptional and their windows are unparalleled.

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  12. Ah-mazing! The work that goes into those displays! So glad to have you take us on a tour. :-)

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  13. Now mistress, I love me my Bergdorf Goodman. I always think their windows are spectacular and well excutued. The ole to New,York was such a great concept. And the interior is so pristine, clean, people are considerate and no screaming children and rude people. I want to live there. But my favorite windows were the black and white windows on 58st. So elegant.

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  14. Some gorgeous, fantastic images there. I think my eyes are going to have a hangover just taking it all in.

    Note the bear in the dress in that one picture.

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  15. Do people really buy things there? Or just walk around looking at the eye candy?

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    1. Believe it or not the store was packed of pepole!!! Which made picture taking harder. I saw many carrying several bags.

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  16. Wow - opulence, indeed! A dazzling feast for the eyes. That New York Philharmonic "sculptural starburst" is spectacular.

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  17. I did get to see the BG windows this year. It was during the day & it was very crowded, so I didn't get optimum viewing. What I did get to see was just glorious. I love BG's theme this year paying homage to the New York City icons. Particularly, the Museum of Natural History.

    Yes, the black & white display was reminiscent of Truman Capote's "Swans". The "Swans" in my opinion was led by Babe Paley until she was replaced by the younger Lee Radziwell. I enjoy your post, and the inside in insanely stunning...so many beautiful things.

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  18. A walk past the BG windows was an annual tradition for me during the almost 20 years I lived in Manhattan. Thanks! What a treat!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!