Windows

Window dressing seems to be an art form that is taken very seriously only in New York. Bergdorf Goodman's window design department not only occupies an entire floor of their 57th Street store, but also inhabits a large warehouse across the river in Queens.

Each season, Director David Hoey's elaborate visions enliven the corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street- adjacent to Central Park and the Plaza hotel. The windows have become more than just a place for showing off the wares for sale at Bergdorf's, but a venue for exquisite installation narrative art. Using designer clothing, antiques, original art works and other borrowed props (this Halloween features a skeleton horse!), the windows are somewhat of an art gallery on their own. I am a big supporter of art for art's sake, which seems to be less common in the United States as opposed to Europe.

For me, the windows convey the same idea that the impromptu photos which align the outer fence of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris do. The area is highly visible and trafficked, but could go easily unnoticed. Yet creativity takes advantage, and the space is transformed into something inspiring and spectacular.

Most famous for holiday windows, Bergdorf Goodman pushes the envelope year round. I prefer to visit late at night, when foot traffic is minimal, and the windows just glow. A litte bit of free fantasy, on the corner of 57th and 5th...

Posted by Lori in New York » Stores & Markets on 22/Nov/2006

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