Christmas is getting closer and closer. FashionUnited has rounded up the best window dressing for this holiday season at famous department stores around the world, from Selfridges in London to Printemps in Paris and Saks in New York.
Selfridges, London
Selfridges has transformed 15 windows of its Oxford Street store in London into a must-see Christmas exhibition inspired by surreal and spectacular interpretations of festive “foodie” moments. Highlights include a Brussels sprouts Christmas tree transported on a car roof, potatoes dressed as Santas, and a club sandwich feast in front of a refrigerator stocked with silver designer bags and accessories.
“This Christmas is all about getting together with loved ones and enjoying cherished rituals. We are inspired by the power of food to bring people together and celebrate what this means to us at Selfridges with our theme of Season’s Feastings,” said Meave Wall, Store Director at Selfridges. “With our iconic Christmas windows on Oxford Street, Christmas shops in every store and a range of fantastic entertainment, we are ready and looking forward to welcoming our customers and making their holiday season brighter.”
Saks Fifth Avenue, New York
Saks Fifth Avenue has partnered with the Elton John AIDS Foundation for a festive window display and revamped light show inspired by Elton John’s “cheerful personality”. The six storefronts of the New York flagship on Fifth Avenue are both inspired by the theme of past years’ heartwarming Christmas gifts and the partnership with the foundation. The British singer has co-curated three window displays on 50th Street, including a bespoke Gucci display. The Italian fashion house was the exclusive outfitter for John’s last tour and now presents the singer’s archive looks and bespoke suits.
A spectacular light show takes place alongside the windows, with more than 600,000 individual lights shining from inside the windows to harmonize with the Christmas medley of Elton John’s songs on the building’s facade.
In addition, Saks is donating $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fund, including $500,000 from proceeds from the multi-vendor merchandise collection, regardless of sales. Co-curated by Saks and John, the collection features products across all categories including womenswear, menswear, accessories, childrenswear, beauty and home from Gucci, Versace, Valentino, Wales Bonner, Jonathan Adler, Jason Wu and Paco Rabanne.
“Saks is proud to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation and to work with Sir Elton John who shares our passion for self-expression through creativity and fashion,” said Marc Metrick, CEO of Saks :inside to connect through unique experiences and impactful partnerships. We are thrilled to be working with this incredible organization to give our clientele the opportunity to give back this holiday season and we look forward to bringing this meaningful campaign to all Saks Fifth Avenue customers to share.”
Harrods, London
Harrods department store in Knightsbridge, London, has been transformed by Dior into a gigantic, glittering gingerbread house for the holiday season. The French fashion house has redesigned the department store’s 44 windows, illuminating the facade with stars, roses and flowers, including a 17-metre-high central star structure inspired by the “celebration of dreams and Dior savoir-faire”.
Dior also adorns the shop windows in KaDeWe:
In addition to the shop windows, Dior has also opened pop-ups presenting gifts, beauty and fragrances and Le Café Dior. The luxury brand has also set up ‘Kingdom of Dreams’, a gingerbread exhibition that traces Dior’s journey from landmark to founder.
Printemps Haussmann, Paris
Printemps’ Christmas windows always delight passers-by on Boulevard Haussmann in Paris. This year Santa Claus slips into the role of the circus director “Monsieur Loyal” and introduces his circus troupe.
The eleven windows include highlights such as the launch of hot air balloons with Santa surrounded by tightrope walkers and magicians, while other windows are dedicated to clowns and trapeze artists. The finale features Santa’s Christmas party held around a Ferrero Rocher pyramid.
For the Printemps Christmas windows on Boulevard Haussmann, it took 150 people three weeks and more than 650 hours to assemble 40,000 decorative elements and 3,400 meters of garlands of lights.
Harvey Nichols, London
British luxury retailer Harvey Nichols took inspiration from festive occasions for its enticing Christmas windows to add a touch of Christmas magic. The storefronts have been redesigned with a glittering, metallic color palette of gold and silver. The storefronts feature disco ball-inspired sequin panels framing the windows and mirrored decorations that reflect and reflect rays of light onto Knightsbridge’s iconic streets.
“This year we’ve gone wild with glitter, mirrors and metallics to create something really intriguing and eye-catching that will delight our customers as they go Christmas shopping,” said Janet Wardley, Head of Visual Display at Harvey Nichols. “We have filled our windows with square mirrored walls and oversized glittering stars and the most beautiful gift ideas to get our customers in the Christmas spirit!”
Macy’s Herald Square, New York
For the festive season of 2022, Macy’s has created a whimsical, animated fable-world in its window display depicting scenes of us celebrating the holiday together with our loved ones. Highlights include polar bears in bright sweaters alongside adorable Tiptoe reindeer in a giant striped scarf, rabbits writing their wish list to Santa and woodland creatures organizing the decorations.
“With dazzling windows and cherished traditions, Macy’s will continue to inspire generations as a destination for Christmas magic. We’re welcoming the holiday season with the return of visits from the one and only Santa, Macy’s Great Trees, animated windows and more,” said Will Coss, Macy’s Vice President of Branded Entertainment. “We’re excited that these cherished experiences continue to create fun, whimsical, and unforgettable memories for the whole family.”
This translated and edited post previously appeared on FashionUnited.uk.