Bergdorf Goodman’s Christmas Windows Win This Year

bergdorf-goodmans-christmas-windows

Of all the stunning New York holiday windows, Bergdorf Goodman’s Destination Extraordinary are this year’s most interesting and beautiful. Inspired by the paintings of Rousseau and the American Museum of Natural History, the windows are abundant with inspiring hand-crafted props and design.

Bergdorf Goodman’s Christmas Windows

The holiday windows at Bergdorf Goodman – one of New York’s most iconic holiday experiences – continue their tradition of enchanting visitors with the transporting theme of “Destination Extraordinary.” On Nov 15, 2016 the displays were unveiled to reveal lush locales, unexpected landscapes and verdant gardens in Bergdorf Goodman’s unique form of fantastical storytelling.

Bergdorf Goodman's Christmas Windows 2016
A detail from The Book Club window at Bergdorf Goodman

David Hoey, Senior Director of Visual Presentation, cites the paintings of Henri Rousseau and trips to the American Museum of Natural History as some of the inspirations for the larger-than-life scenes. “The windows are like magical realist versions of natural history museum dioramas,” Hoey says. Six months in the making, the displays showcase the work of specialized artisans, with hand-painted backdrops and animals embellished with leaves, beads, and dried flowers. To reflect the theme, each window depicts a unique imagined destination.

The Book Club:
In a dense green jungle, a menagerie of primates embellished with leaves, beads and dried flowers gathers to listen to a storyteller in @marcjacobs read a book on a swing made of vines.


detail:

A Bird’s Eye View:
Asian birds and a Pagoda form the jungle-like backdrop for this dreaming beauty clad in a floral Dolce and Gabbiana.

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Winging it:
The grand entrance to a verdigris greenhouse is flanked by a 10 foot pair of praying mantis. The architectural folly becomes the backdrop for an impromptu butterfly expedition.

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The Scenic Route:
a magical lagoon overgrown with cypress trees, orchids and ferns, an fabulous adventurer in @cd.greene walks a tightrope over a sea life beneath.

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Hitchhiking:
Inspired by vintage Wild West postcards, Hitchhiking depicts an afternoon tour of the desert via a giant jackrabbit. All those cacti? Hand painted.

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And these windows as well (not on the front of the building):

maze

Behind The Scenes:

Enjoy the legendary Holiday Windows until January 2, 2017.
#DestinationExtraordinaryatBG #BGWindows #BGholiday

full window photos by Ricky Zehavi
all images and information courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman