This week has just spun out of control. I had forgotten that I'd be doing another showroom opening this week down toward Gettysburg, but luckily that will mean another three-day weekend as I'll have Monday off. This week started off with two days in New York. While not doing visual display to the extent I used to, that doesn't change the fact I still need to keep my hands and head in that game and head off to see the infamous windows in NYC. There was a bit of shopping, the clan and myself had a late night in the West Village Monday night, with copious amounts of stiffeners, and caught the drag show of Brita Filta, then milled about Tuesday around the city. I have always enjoyed NYC at Christmas. Nowhere like it, the feeling and glitz if offers. Of course, for newer readers, I always headed to New York at the holidays to view the windows, as I used to do visual display and window for 15 years for Bloomingdales. Some days I do miss it. And one of the most treasured holiday activities in NYC is visiting the famous department stores still left. It's where you will see the most gorgeous, whimsical and festive Christmas windows ever. And no surprise as is tradition on this blog...the most creative and opulent again...Bergdorf Goodman!!!
I don't think Bergdorf's has anything to worry about or the risk of extinction. The store is always bustling. As one of NYC'S most luxurious department stores, Bergdorf's is regarded as the store that is chic, clean, and an exquisite interior, not to mention the most extraordinary and fashionable windows of the season. Unlike other stores which feature animatronic characters, Bergdorf's have no moving parts. But what they lack in motion, they make up for with extravagance. Nearly every part of their windows' is filled to the max with elaborate props, many handmade, and intricately painted background scenes, and such fine little details and surprises that I would guess that most passer-by never even notice. This year the theme was Magic in the Making and paid tribute to artisans of all kinds. Artist, florist, jewelers, fashion designer, architects, musicians, upholsterers...and are depicted with the tool of their trade in the most fabulous ways. My friend on the team said planning and executing begun last February, and takes 8 months, a staff of 100 visuals contribute to the design, production and eventual installation, which takes another four weeks.
The rhinestone dachshund and the sewing machine are two details I bet most won't catchThis whole window is actually installed coming out from the back wall, giving the illusion that you're viewing it from the top-down in. Truly amazing.
If you get to the city, be sure to go to Bergdorf's. You won't be disappointed.
I love the pin cushion hat!
ReplyDeleteI adore that to Debs! Now you just know that's going to show up on drag race.
DeleteNo wonder everyone stops and stares at the windows; there's so much to see and you don't want to miss any of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd it often drives my non-visual friends crazy when they go with me. I've been known to view one window up to 20 minutes.
DeleteThat orchestra was simply great!!!
ReplyDeleteIs that blinged out sewing machine a working machine or just decoration?
ReplyDeleteNo Shirley I don't think that was a real one, most likely it was made out of paper mache and then rhinestoned.
DeleteAn eyeful. Several eyefuls.
ReplyDeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much for sharing this tradition yet again! And you're right, yet again they knock it out of the park. Bergdorf's was always my store to go to when William and I would go into New York. And I certainly miss that level of customer service anywhere else. I suspect my days of getting into New York are probably done, but I'm hoping before my move my daughter or son will be up to taking me in. I'm in love with that whole seamstress window. I especially liked those two little miniature mannequins hidden in the window, and what is not to like about that adorable rhinestone dachshund?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Agnes. And one is very hard press to find customer service like theirs. It's un paralleled.
DeleteOh my God that's truly spectacular, and must be a fun job to have. That truly takes creativeness and talent to create those. I always seen pictures and heard of Bergdorf Goodman I would love to see it in person. Some days it's almost like a myth.
ReplyDeleteI was walking home from work one day it's all the windows for the first time, I couldn't wait until you came up. Seeing them through your eyes and pointing things out is always so much nicer. And I still couldn't believe they had those two ladies on stilts inside.
ReplyDeleteWell I can't believe is that you guys took me to see gogo boys on a Monday night! But Brita was a nice treat.
DeleteAhhhhhh..... the one city I miss the most in the US, New York City. Nice to see the Bergdorf Goodman still continues the tradition of the display window. And this does not disappoint. You must have had fun when you were individual display I can imagine you do miss it. I remember some of your pictures.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely spectacular. I do miss seeing all the windows... and Rockefeller Center. Thanks for sharing these great shots.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mitchell. I'll do another post next week cuz some of my other sites I saw.
DeleteLooks wonderful 🎄🎅
ReplyDeleteI've often said that I'd go to NYC during the holidays some year just to take in all the pageantry. Bucket list!
ReplyDeleteOh you should come forth. And then I can take you to some " special fun places" that we can have fun and hang out with the boys!
DeleteThose are breathtaking to look at. No wonder "Bergie's" is at the top of the food chain.
ReplyDeleteAnd not only by the windows, but the inside of the store is spectacular from interior design to architecture, and their customer service is on paralleled. I've made purchases there they've even offered to ship them home so I went up to carry them around the city.
DeleteArt installations.
ReplyDeleteThat's what those windows are. The creativity. The references. The fabulousness of it all.
XOXO
Love the window displays; the Christmas lights in Regent Street are pretty this year - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7_dftoxCT8
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind seeing that someday!
DeleteTundra Bunny here...Wow, Bergdorf's window displays never fail to amaze and awe! I LOVE the wild animal display, especially the zebra, giraffe and the little piggy! The seamstress/fashion design window is also spectacular... A person could look all day and find new things to see! What happens to the displays afterwards? Are components trashed, recycled or sold?
ReplyDeletePotato truth I think it's a little bit of all three I think some get trashed some are definitely recycled and I don't know if they ever sold anything off or not. But you're right about the details. For many years on and they used to have a little mice in the window and it was always fun to try to find them.
DeleteMagnificent! I, too could spend ages just studying these windows... Jx
ReplyDeleteOh to visit new York at this time of year. It looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteWe visited in March 2005. It was very cold. Once I'd got over the total shock of sooooo many people and the hustle and bustle I really enjoyed it!
We did the helicopter trip down the hudson, it's something I'll never forget.
I've always wanted to do that helicopter ride down the Hudson and I haven't done it yet maybe one day. Yes depending on what part of New York City you're in it can be very congestive with people but if you're in the right neighborhoods it's very enjoyable.
DeleteWas a new job in such after the pandemic I haven't had time to get to New York since. One thing I miss about my old job in the Cosmetics industry. But thank you thank you for posting pictures. Bergdorf would have never disappoint.
ReplyDeleteHow I would love to see The City at Christmas with you!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Not to be a Deedles Downer, but this stuff is a bit too busy for me. If I ever saw it in person, I would probably get seizures!
ReplyDeleteWow really nice window displays! When I lived in Germany, they really out did themselves too I could never really capture the beauty in pictures...yours turned out great! Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful magical display! Sure don't see anything like that here on the West Coast.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't have time for a window tour this year (bummer) so thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSuch Christmas splendor! I remember going to Hudsons when I was a boy to see the sights at Christmas. It was bedazzling.
ReplyDeleteWe should enjoy it now. It's an art form dying before our eyes.
DeleteDuring the Christmas period, New York becomes the capital of the world!
ReplyDelete