When it comes to this year’s holiday window displays, New York City’s retail behemoths seem determined to outdazzle each other. The windows at Barneys New York currently feature live ice-carving, while Bulgari has draped a brilliant LED necklace across its Fifth Avenue store. Macy’s is celebrating the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas with high-tech interactive flair, Bergdorf Goodman is adorned in colorful Swarovski crystals, and Saks Fifth Avenue is a glittering palace accented with luminous blue lights.
In the slideshow below, creative directors and window designers explain what went into this year’s preparations. Click ahead to visit Macy’s, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Bulgari, Henri Bendel, and Hermès.