New York's Most Festive Holiday Windows

Each year New York City's department stores design standout holiday displays for their storefronts. This year, Simon Doonan, Creative Director at Barneys New York, was inspired by the 50th anniversary of the peace sign and channeled an era of peace and love. "The late '60s was a time of explosive creativity-psychedelic rock posters, tie-dye, black light, ground breaking album covers, communes, ladies of the canyon-and we intend to pay homage to all of it." says Doonan. The windows are adorned with fixtures of the ‘60s like Joni Mitchell , Carly Simon and a customized Volkswagen Beetle that patrons have a chance to win (yeah, baby!). The displays were unveiled at an event hosted by Tom Brokaw and also feature custom eco-friendly dresses from designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez and Phillip Lim.

Bergdorf Goodman's Seasonal Greetings"Our holiday windows are a cross between a trip to a natural history museum and a trip to a candy store,? says David Hoey, Senior Director, Windows. "The windows took more than a year to prepare. We took special trips to acquire hundreds of unusual objects, antiques and novelty items to use in the displays." The Uptown retailer went with a seasonal theme featuring "Calendar Girls" who represent the changing seasons. The autumnal ?Harvest Moon? display features a rustic, farmland background and a Dolce & Gabbana gown with a wool overlay from the Fall/Winter 2008 collection. The Spring display features a stuffed white peacock and a mannequin wearing a feathered dress by Naeem Khan.

"This year I wanted to make you believe that there is a lot more magic than meets the eye in the simple things that surround us at Christmastime,” said Paul Olszewski, director of windows at Macy's Herald Square. "You'll see all these things in a new and magical way-making you look at everything differently and believe there is magic everywhere." The windows reveal a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Christmas magic. For example, magical orbs and dreams mix to become holiday ornaments, and holiday lights are made out of a dash of joy and hope.

It's beginning to look a lot like a Swarovski holiday at Rockefeller Center. Fashion designers like Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Oscar de la Renta have created exclusive pieces bedazzled with Swarovski Elements for Saks Fifth Avenue. Designer Tory Burch, who helped unveil the windows, said, "As a designer, it's amazing to come and see….the detail; it's something that I have never seen, my children have never seen." Tim Wisgerhof, Senior Director of Creative and Communication, Visual Merchandising, reinvents the annual snowflake theme and created "Snowflake City" based on the children's book A Flake Like Mike. "We stressed out over all the details. Is that snowflake smiling or frowning? Does that dancing dinosaur have too much glitter? Are there too many Swarovski crystals on that snowdrift? And then you tend to tell people about your day-friends and family-and they just look at you perplexed. You just have to laugh.”

With an opulent display of regal gowns and gleaming crowns, the Bendel windows are all about over-the-top shine and sparkle this holiday season. Fashion designers like Missoni, Matthew Williamson, Jason Wu and Frank Tell designed holiday wardrobes fit for Royals, and jewelers including Gerard Yosca, Alex and Ani, Noir and Lee Angel created luxe crowns to top off the looks. "We merged modern elements of the rock royalty trend with more classic motifs to create a world of irreverent glamour and glitz that plays off the fantastical yet timeless spirit of our Bendel girl," said Gilberto Santana, Henri Bendel’s Visual Director.

"Since we'd been using the word ‘favorite’ so much this year, I thought that ‘My Favorite Christmas Traditions’ would be a great theme," explained Manoel Renha, Vice President and Creative Director of Lord amp Taylor. "Each window is dedicated to portray a much loved custom." The revolving windows feature a Victorian box, musical notes, Frosty the Snowman and a couple kissing underneath the mistletoe. But creating the dazzling displays also came with a not-so-favorite moment. "Last week one of the carpenters was hanging the shades to shield the windows and with the back of his hammer, he shattered the glass window, which came crashing down,” said Renha. "Fortunately, no one was hurt and it was quickly replaced!"

"Evoking the spirit of our holiday campaign ‘Oh What Fun,’ the design concept of the windows emulates the spirit and humor of pop-up greeting cards.” says Joseph Cotugno, Bloomingdale's Vice President, Visual Merchandising. "Done in a decidedly vintage-style reminiscent of the ‘50s and ‘60s by noted international muralist Vicki Khuzami, these detailed yet kitschy designs evoke the warm feelings associated with the holidays with a touch of fun and whimsy." Cotungo was inspired by Tony Bennett's holiday music and each display highlights a nostalgic scene, like a family gathering around a festive tree adorned with vintage glass ornaments to illustrate the beloved song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."