Friday, December 9, 2011

Holiday Window Spectacle



Every year the whole visual team and I go into the city to view all the holiday window displays and tour the stores to see what everyone else is doing. It one of the best things about my job. We visit various store and showrooms, some shopping and a dinner and cock-a-tails to end the day. I will do this in various post as their are to many pictures , but the first stop was the always stunning, Bergdorf Goodman.The holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman, a true New York holiday spectacle, continue their well-known tradition of high fantasy, dramatic surprises, extraordinary fashion, and great storytelling. The 2011 windows, entitled “Carnival of the Animals,” take their inspiration from diverse settings re imagined in various materials… and the animals that dwell there. David Hoey, Senior Director of Visual Presentation, and team devote an entire year to the production of the holiday windows. They will remain on display through January 3, 2012. From the "The Brass Menagerie” which set in a stylized tropical forest of metal and mirror and glimmers, to " Breaking the Ice” which invites viewers to a mid-afternoon arctic garden party whose guests include “couture plush” animals such as polar bears, a moose, wolves, an arctic mountain goat, deer, a seal, and a walrus. All the animals have been upholstered in luxe white textiles and appliquéd with icy crystals, beads, and sequins. A Baccarat chandelier adds luster, to a truly undersea fantasy, a single mannequin, in a seashell dress from the Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection, appears to be floating in a massive collection of mosaic sea creatures. Everything is highly patterned, with swirling textures and oceanic colors. “Testing the Waters” is quite the aquatic triumph as its production was 10 months in the making and is the most labor-intensive single window display in Bergdorf Goodman history. Yet again I was left completely speechless. I think it took me over an hour to view all the windows and I always love all the unexpected things you find in them .










Love the little porcupine at the bottom of the window in the next picture. Another exsample of details I wonder if most of the public would notice.







Another place that always seems to pull together stunning windows is the legendary French Couture designer Chanel. Chanel put together all white windows with white laser cut trees and other elements of decor and added these unique miniature Chanel dolls...how cute! The windows featured cruise wear for spring 2012.




On the way back we also had to see the tree at Rockefeller Center, it is quickly becoming a tradition every year on our trip.




Later next week, I'll share some of our work and stops at Barney's and Louis Vuitton.

30 comments:

  1. Anonymous12/09/2011

    I love the white feathery birdy dresses! Department store windows are one of my favourite things at this time year, I'm off to London so will be snapping away down there.
    Waiting for you to put you red light on....

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  2. Wow! Could spend a lot of time in front of those windows!

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  3. Supreme awesomeness! Love the deer in suits.

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  4. There really is nothing so stunning than the windows in New York, very hard to beat! It is one reason I miss New York so much. I love your job.

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  5. Oh you creative people.....and good old Bergdorf, where many a dress and fur stole I have gotten. Ever since I was young, I have always been amazed by the windows they come up with. Whyile it may be touristy, William and I always hit the market for a hot chocolate and then stroll the streets enjoy and savoring the holiday finery! Thanks for the preview Mistress.

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  6. Wow. I always wonder how they will top the year before, and they always seem to!

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  7. One post I look forward to every year! How breath taking they are! Thanks for taking us with you.

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  8. I have to really get up there one of these days to see the windows. I could swear I see some of my head pieces in some of those windows!?!

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  9. Wonderful! And ooooo, that spectacular tree!

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  10. O would love to see this some year with you to point out what I don't see! These are amazing!!!!!

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  11. I so want one of those bird dresses! I was in new york last week on bussiness and sneak away to go see these in person. Pictures don't do it justice. I knew you would feature them again,can't wait to see more.

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  12. Anonymous12/09/2011

    I could easily lose a whole weekend looking at displays like those.

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  13. Ooo, wish I was there to ogle in person this year. My fave is the black and white with the zebra. Stunning. How cute is the poodle on it's back :)

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  14. The detailing is exquisite! I can't even think of that much time in a one window let along all of them.

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  15. Wow, just WOW!!! I can't even imagine all of the work it takes to put these holiday windows together, and "Thank You" to David Hoey & team for an outstanding job. And of course to you, for sharing these windows with all of us who can't be there in person to see them.

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  16. Absolutely stunning windows!! I look forward to seeing them every year!! THANK YOU!! I adore the white one and the ones with the camera taking crowd. I could see the Mistress wearing quite a few of these frocks! And I wouldn't mind one of those Chanel doll!!!

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  17. It looks like he raided multiple taxidermys, and some very old homes to get all those animals. LOL! Stunning as awlays, make me home sick......

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  18. I can hardly wait to get into the city to see the windows, the tree at Roc Center, and watch the skaters...oh, and get a Peppermint Mocha at Starbucks to go with my roasted chestnuts!

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  19. Thank you so much for the photos of the windows. My favorite part of the holiday season was taking my children to see the Christmas windows and then having hot chocolate and Steamed Fruit Pudding. That was many many years ago and now my daughter keeps the tradition going with her boys.
    Your post evoked the same emotions.
    I am thankful for all your posts thak keep me up to date on happenings and inspiration throughout the year.

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  20. Wow!! I must make a trip into the city to see this. It's so beyond creative and fabulous! I have never seen any new york windows before.

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  21. One of the things I miss about visiting New York is Christmas in the city--it is so unique (Cal. is basically dull)--and you bring it right to me every year. Thanks sweetie.

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  22. I don't know what is more stunning the tree at Rockafeller Center or the Bergdorf windows! I wish I could see them in person. I need you to take me on a huge whirlwind tour of your world for a week Mistress.

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  23. ok, these are probably the most beautiful things I have seen in some time.

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  24. Thank you for the tour, Mistress!

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  25. I don't know which ones I like best? They are all some magicial! Wouldn't it be something if one of the store did a whole drag queen themed window? I mean some are pretty close now....so campy!

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  26. Christmas windows never disappoint.
    Loverly.

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  27. These are some of the things I will sorely miss, my dearest...

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  28. If Berdorf was never not there, that would be the end of the real stunning windows.While other store are nice to see, Berdorf's has one huge budget, I think the magic would be over. Thanks for the tour! Now I think I need to go shopping.

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  29. Anonymous12/12/2011

    What a wonderful intro. I can't wait to see what's uP next -accompanied by your terrific commentary!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!