A Roundup of Holiday Windows

On November 12, 2015, ADEA posted a blog entitled “Holiday Windows Unveiled” that included a short list of Manhattan retailers who present holiday windows. In no particular order, here’s a brief update and summary of these stores and their Xmas 2015 offerings:

LORD AND TAYLOR

This retailer at Fifth Avenue and 38th Street went all out. The entire front of L&T had a broad band of greenery and bright, twinkling lights that could not be missed. The overall theme of the windows was “A Few of Our Favorite Things” and featured gingerbread men, cupcakes, snowmen and Christmas wreaths. Very eye-catching with lots of movement and music – it gets my vote as one of the best.

Lord & Taylor’s handmade Victorian gingerbread house appeared in their Christmas window for 2015

HENRI BENDEL

I was underwhelmed by this store, which is located on Fifth Avenue between 55th and 56th Streets. In fact, their windows were so low-key that I walked right by and had to retrace my steps. But, perhaps we have to cut them some slack, because there was scaffolding erected in front that dominated the whole scene. The signage in the window read, “Henri Bendel, 1875”. Perhaps Bendel’s will do it right next year.

Henri Bendel opted for a White Christmas in 2015

BERGDORF GOODMAN

This elegant establishment, which is nicely situated at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, always comes up with windows that have a great WOW factor. This year was no different. The holiday theme centered on Swarovski and celebrated the crystal maker’s 120th anniversary. Each window had a different theme (Glitterati, Crystal Ball, Hidden Gem, Treasured). More than seven million Swarovski crystals were used to create this display.

Bergdorf’s colorful Christmas window for 2015 was titled “The Crystal Ball”

BARNEYS

Barneys, at Madison Avenue and 61st Street always has windows that become the talk-of-the-town. They’ve done it again with a very original concept called “Chillin’ Out”. Window #1 was labeled “Ice Castles” and sported a custom-designed ice locker (5-15 degrees) that showcased creations in ice. Window #2 had a bundled-up REAL PERSON creating an ice sculpture. Spectators were awestruck.

The Big Chill: Barneys celebrated Christmas 2015 with this brave soul who created an ice sculpture

BLOOMINGDALE’S

Located at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue this retailer (Bloomies as we all call it) missed this year and I believe it was because of the theme: “Sound. Sight. Touch. Scent.” It seemed as if it was trying too hard – there was a lack of unity. The windows featured faceted-mirror sculptures by Jeff Leatham that were beautifully executed but failed to generate viewer excitement.

MACY’S HERALD SQUARE

The Macy’s at 34th and Broadway really knows how to party. At 5pm on November 20^th their windows were revealed to the world with a big splash of music and song. The windows celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of Charles Schultz’s creations with “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. A huge, cheering crowd really got into it when The Big Reveal rocked with an ear-splitting countdown of:

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

My very favorite of all six windows (drum roll, please) was MACY’S HERALD SQUARE!

Lots of excitement as Macy’s unveiled its 2015 Christmas windows at 5 pm on November 20th

Charlie Brown in Macy’s 2015 Christmas window

MAY WE SUGGEST…

First, it’s a brand new 2016, so let’s take stock of our wardrobes and see where ADEA can help freshen things up. Second, we’d like to wish all of our customers (past, present and future) A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR.  

Shaun Nelson-Henrick

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