5 Holiday Picks

BUSTLING BLOOMINGDALE’S: Tony Bennett was the inspiration for Bloomie’s 11 holiday windows this year. Each display is a take on a classic song from his latest album. Artist Vicki Khuzami translated the holiday spirit into retro scenes resembling pop-up greeting cards from the 1950s and 1960s. “Our windows are traditional,” said Jack Hruska, EVP of creative services. “You don’t need to be a smart alec at the holidays. We are just trying to encourage good memories.” Bennett presided over the unveiling on Nov. 20 and treated the audience to a medley of seasonal hits.

LORD & TAYLOR TREATS: Lord & Taylor has been tricking-out its holiday windows for more than 80 years and credits itself with being the first Fifth Avenue flagship to do so. Like many department stores, months of work go into putting together the elaborate scenes. “We start thinking about the windows for the next year as soon as they are up for the season,” said SVP Lavelle Olexa. Surprisingly, it is the store’s policy to display no merchandise in the holiday windows. “They are our gifts to the city,” said Olexa. “You can enjoy them whether you come inside or are just walking by.”

BARNEYS, BABY!: Barneys New York is tapping into the groovy spirit of the 1960s for its holiday windows this year. “Peace and Love — Have a Hippie Holiday” is the theme of the avant-garde installation, which makes great use of the peace sign, now in its 50th year. “It’s about counterculture,” said Barneys Creative Director Simon Doonan. “You are going to love it.” In addition to the psychedelic windows, the retailer will offer special merchandise, including Velextra key chains, Jennifer Meyer pendants and Barneys umbrellas embellished with the classic peace sign.

BELLES OF BERGDORF: As always, the seasonal scenes at Bergdorf Goodman radiate luxury and class. While the store decks out all 35 of its windows, the five looking out onto Fifth Avenue will represent the seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter, as well as the holidays. The theme is “Calendar Girls,” and 12 stylish muses are dressed to the nines for each month of the year. Miss December is awash in winter white and presides over the holiday scene in an Oscar de la Renta bridal gown.

SAKS SPARKLES: It is said that no two snowflakes are alike, and individuality is the driving force behind “Snowflake City” at Saks Fifth Avenue. Top designers, including Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera, created one-of-a-kind gowns hand-embroidered with Swarovski crystals for the windows. More than 10 million Swarovski stones were used in the dislays, and the garments took more than 12 weeks to craft. In addition, 72,000 energy-efficient lights illuminate giant snowflakes inside the winter wonderland and adorning the flagship’s facade.