The sounds of ringing jingle bells and scents of roasting chestnuts are back in New York City. As the fall foliage and turkey-themed decor get put back into storage, in come the sparkling garlands, glittering ornaments and, of course, fabulously merry fashions.
As Fashionista reports, the department stores and boutiques in Manhattan are already on it, putting their highly anticipated holiday window decorations up just in time for the surge of tourists and local New Yorkers looking to bask in the winter magic of the city (and shop, of course).
Bergdorf Goodman
Many retailers recently hosted extravagant events to reveal their festive visuals. The iconic Bergdorf Goodman wanted to pay homage to their home street with “Toast of the Town,” celebrating the 200th anniversary of Fifth Avenue. Each of the windows at both the women’s and men’s stores showcases Fifth Avenue iconography in different colors and is full of immaculate details. The department store called upon designer Michael Kors (alongside Linda Fargo and Santa) to launch the store’s 2024 holiday theme.
In each window, a glamorously dressed mannequin stands in a monochromatic scene inspired by different landmarks on Fifth Avenue, such as Central Park and the New York Public Library. “We want the windows to be interesting either from across the street or right up close,” says David Hoey, senior director of visual presentation for Bergdorf Goodman. “We design them so that they’ll be interesting in any format or at any distance.” Hoey said the windows will appear to be a collage from afar, but up close, visitors can appreciate all kinds of “micro details.”
Nordstrom
Nordstrom took a different approach, creating an immersive experience throughout the store. From featuring a fun giant inflatable they’ve called, “The Blizz,” that greets shoppers over the entrance, to the interior shopping floor where one can find animated, oversized candy canes and other characters, it’s a classic winter wonderland experience.
“We are beyond excited to bring The Blizz on 57th Street to life at the Nordstrom NYC flagship this holiday season,” said Olivia Kim, senior vice president of creative merchandising at Nordstrom. “Nordstrom has always strived to be a platform for discovery and we look forward to infusing the joy of the holidays with the unique spirit of New York, creating an unforgettable experience to those who visit our flagship this holiday. Partnering with this collective of New York-based creatives and friends continues to reinforce our commitment to this community.”
Bloomingdales
This year, the crowd-pleasing Bloomingdales wanted their windows to be a little bit “Wicked,” as the “Wicked Good Holiday” windows are filled with animatronics and props from antique stores and estate sales. “The holiday windows really embody the spirit of the season in a way that really captures nostalgia and excitement for a lot of people,” says Aaron Romero, associate creative director of visual experience for Bloomingdale’s. The 2024 windows are “less of a traditional display” than they’ve been previously, said Romero, who described this year’s as more of an “enchanting portal” and an “otherworldly” way to get “lost in the universe” of the Land of Oz. They even got “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo and other Broadway stars to do the official unveiling on November 13.
In partnership with Universal Pictures’ “Wicked,” the windows showcase the “dynamic personalities” of the two main characters, Glinda and Elphaba, Romero explained. The pink Glinda windows embody her “popular, fashionable, beauty-loving spirit” as well as her kindness and generosity through vintage trunks, chandeliers and “little treasures,” Romero shared. Meanwhile, Elphaba’s green windows represent “strength, intelligence and loyalty,” as the character is a “deeply compassionate person” who cares about social justice, books and animals. Her windows depict the magical lab where she discovers her powers, the mystical Shiz woods and, of course, her iconic “Defying Gravity” scene.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Saks might have canceled its holiday light show after nearly two decades of the beloved tradition, but that doesn’t mean lights are out at the department store. As the New York Post reports, this year is the 100th anniversary of the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship, and the luxury retailer is putting fashion at the forefront of its holiday windows. Designers such as Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and Loewe are featured, showcasing pastel designs reminiscent of colorful macarons.
This year, the iconic windows have transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with oversize snowflakes, dichroic vinyl and silver reflective glass. Saks noted that they are “celebrating the season by honoring the architectural significance of this iconic building,” with luxe decor on its iconic facade.
Macy’s
Macy’s is celebrating its 150th year of show-stopping holiday window displays, a tradition that started at the department store in 1874. According to the Post, this year’s iconic displays bring the immersive and stylized Macy’s Gift Guide world to life, showcasing all the ways the store helps customers “Give Love” this holiday. Window displays feature the Gift Guide Elves in Christmas gear surrounded by whimsical animated and interactive vignettes depicting “Gifts We Love.”
Fans will spot carousels, presents and iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons, combining two of the institution’s most cherished traditions, with scenes of Manhattan displayed in the background. Additionally, the windows showcase designs created by mentees in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
These store window displays will light up NYC throughout the season, and won’t come down until early January. People travel from all over the world just to see these displays, demonstrating that they are more than a display of product — they offer an experience. “It contributes to the fabric of the city,” says Romero.
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