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gallery
November 23, 2016

See New York’s Sparkling Holiday Windows

By Trupti Rami

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Photo: Andrew Kelly/AP Images for Macy’s

As the first snow begins to blanket parts of New York, we’re reminded that ’tis the season for holiday-themed outings. New York City’s retail giants are lighting up (and cheering up) the streets with this year’s holiday window displays. The windows at Macy’s feature a 15-foot-tall Santa Claus, while Bergdorf Goodman and Lord & Taylor, respectively, take viewers to landscapes à la the Museum of Natural History and an enchanted forest with 34 hand-sculpted animals.

Barneys celebrates “Love, Peace, and Joy” with installations from artists including Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central’s South Park, and Tiffany & Co. brings glittering vignettes of the city’s iconic landmarks. Bloomingdale’s spotlights one-of-a-kind chandeliers (proceeds benefit Child Mind Institute), and Saks Fifth Avenue presents bespoke dresses inspired by cotton candy, peppermint sticks, and cake frosting.

The Cut caught up with creative directors and window designers find out what went into this year’s displays. Click ahead to visit Macy’s, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., Lord & Taylor, Henri Bendel, Bloomingdale’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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Macy's: 'Believe' “In creating this year’s windows, we wanted to focus on the idea of what Christmas meant to us as children. In thinking back to... Macy's: 'Believe' “In creating this year’s windows, we wanted to focus on the idea of what Christmas meant to us as children. In thinking back to those feelings, we kept returning to the idea of six key qualities [believe, celebrate, together, giving, love, and magic] that truly exemplify the spirit and magic of the season.” —Roya Sullivan, Macy’s national director of window presentation Photo: Andrew Kelly/AP Images for Macy’s
Macy's: 'Believe'  Photo: Andrew Kelly/AP Images for Macy’s
Bergdorf Goodman: 'Destination Extraordinary' "[The windows] are inspired by the drama and mystery of the natural world: jungles, forests, l... Bergdorf Goodman: 'Destination Extraordinary' "[The windows] are inspired by the drama and mystery of the natural world: jungles, forests, lagoons, and gardens. Each window is an unexpected landscape, delirious remakes of the classic giant dioramas one sees at a natural-history museum. The windows are scholarly yet psychedelic." —David Hoey, senior director of visual presentation Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Bergdorf Goodman: 'Destination Extraordinary'  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Bergdorf Goodman: 'Destination Extraordinary'  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Bergdorf Goodman: 'Destination Extraordinary'  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Barneys: 'Love, Peace, Joy' Window by Ebony G. Patterson. "This year’s theme is 'Love, Peace, and Joy.' We begin planning our holiday theme... Barneys: 'Love, Peace, Joy' Window by Ebony G. Patterson. "This year’s theme is 'Love, Peace, and Joy.' We begin planning our holiday themes about a year in advance, and we had a feeling that we were about to enter a time that could be rather tumultuous. We really wanted to go back to what the holidays are all about — and for us, it really boils down to love, peace, and joy. We view this as a message of positivity in a time where the world needs it most." —Dennis Freedman, creative director at Barneys New York Photo: Tom Sibley/BARNEYS/USE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION PROHIBITED tom@tomsibley.com
Barneys: 'Love, Peace, Joy' Window by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central's South Park. Photo: Tom Sibley/BARNEYS/USE WITHOUT PRIOR PER... Barneys: 'Love, Peace, Joy' Window by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central's South Park. Photo: Tom Sibley/BARNEYS/USE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION PROHIBITED tom@tomsibley.com
Barneys: 'Love, Peace, Joy' Window by Nick Cave. Photo: Tom Sibley/BARNEYS/USE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION PROHIBITED tom@tomsibley.com
Tiffany & Co. “We’ve created the ultimate Tiffany holiday, with dazzling displays that showcase trees trimmed with jewels and vignettes of ic... Tiffany & Co. “We’ve created the ultimate Tiffany holiday, with dazzling displays that showcase trees trimmed with jewels and vignettes of iconic New York City landmarks that are a nod to our heritage.” —Richard Moore, vice-president of creative visual merchandising at Tiffany. Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Tiffany & Co.  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Tiffany & Co.  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Tiffany & Co.  Photo: Ricky Zehavi/© Ricky Zehavi
Lord & Taylor: 'Enchanted Forest' "This year Lord & Taylor's holiday windows theme is 'enchanted forest.' It takes our customers on ... Lord & Taylor: 'Enchanted Forest' "This year Lord & Taylor's holiday windows theme is 'enchanted forest.' It takes our customers on a magical journey through a winter wonderland filled with spirited holiday animals. The five animated windows flanking Fifth Avenue incorporate over 350 square feet of LED walls that enhance each vignette." —Denis Frenette, senior vice-president of merchandise presentation Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor: 'Enchanted Forest'  Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor: 'Enchanted Forest'  Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor
Lord & Taylor: 'Enchanted Forest'  Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty Images for Lord & Taylor
Henri Bendel: 'From Bendel With Love' “We thought James [Goldcrown’s] mural would serve as the perfect reminder to spread the love this season.” ... Henri Bendel: 'From Bendel With Love' “We thought James [Goldcrown’s] mural would serve as the perfect reminder to spread the love this season.” —Pina Ferlisi, Henri Bendel creative director Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Henri Bendel
Henri Bendel: 'From Bendel With Love'  Photo: Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Henri Bendel
Bloomingdale’s: 'Lights Up A Young Mind' "This holiday season, we collaborated with a group of dynamic visual artists who created one-of-a-k... Bloomingdale’s: 'Lights Up A Young Mind' "This holiday season, we collaborated with a group of dynamic visual artists who created one-of-a-kind chandeliers that embody their artistic expression of the word 'light,' this year’s holiday-campaign theme. It’s always exciting to create “street theater” through our windows, but this year is extra special since these unique works of art will also give back. The chandeliers on display in the holiday windows are being auctioned off on charitybuzz.com/bloomingdalesauction and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit our long-standing holiday partner, the Child Mind Institute." —Leigh Ann Tischler, Bloomingdale’s director of window design Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com/Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Bloomingdale’s: 'Lights Up A Young Mind'  Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com/Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Bloomingdale’s: 'Lights Up A Young Mind'  Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com/Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Bloomingdale’s: 'Lights Up A Young Mind'  Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFA.com/Neil Rasmus/BFA.com
Saks Fifth Avenue: 'Land of 1,000 Delights'  Photo: BFA for Saks Fifth Avenue/Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com
Saks Fifth Avenue: 'Land of 1,000 Delights' "Our Fifth Avenue flagship store’s animated center six windows, dubbed “The Nutcracker Sweet,” b... Saks Fifth Avenue: 'Land of 1,000 Delights' "Our Fifth Avenue flagship store’s animated center six windows, dubbed “The Nutcracker Sweet,” boast fantastical scenes of Clara, the Mouse King, the Gingerbread Queen and more as they dance through a candied dreamland. Each year, we aim to create an immersive experience where our guests feel like they are a part of our holiday magic. This year, we’ve created an irresistible and delectable experiential destination in the Land of 1,000 Delights for all customers and guests to enjoy." —Mark Briggs, executive vice-president of the Creative Center of Excellence, Hudson’s Bay Company Photo: BFA for Saks Fifth Avenue/Joe Schildhorn/BFA.com
Saks Fifth Avenue: 'Land of 1,000 Delights' "The Nutcracker Sweet." Photo: BFA for Saks Fifth Avenue/Zach Hilty/BFA.com
Saks Fifth Avenue: 'Land of 1,000 Delights'  Photo: BFA for Saks Fifth Avenue/Zach Hilty/BFA.com
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  • holiday windows
  • macy's
  • barneys new york
  • bergdorf goodman
  • lord & taylor
  • gallery
  • christmas
  • christmas lights
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