Alexander Wang, New York

This brand usually try and tell us off for taking pictures (even from the high street would you believe) but who cares really, this is free publicity for them and we only have positive things to say about this store as it is actually very beautiful.  If you feel the need to adorn your apartment with a fur hammock then look no further than Alexander Wang.  It looks like sable but we're not entirely sure.  Bring on the decadent living we say.

Salvatore Ferragamo, New York

We have seen this scheme both in London and Paris and it really is a welcome relief from their usual fixtures and actually it seems quite daring for this brand.  The windows have been Blacked out with vinyl apart from a circular area and inside the spaces are these gorgeous Silver coloured animals.  Such an interesting direction for this brand and we do hope that they continue on this creative path through 2014.  Check out our video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6V7kTYKoBk

Calvin Klein, New York

Oh Gawd, its the curse of the Silver Birches again.  Globally this brand are not particularly the most creative although of course they do produce some very nice schemes.  However, this particular store on Madison nearly always fails to disappoint.  Well, until now anyway.  The store itself looks incredible and we guess is their 'Maison' but do we really have to view the same old stuff dug up year after year?  Come on guys, the word de jour right now is 'collaboration' and there are so many interesting artists here in New York that surely someone has a whiff of vision?

Aritizia, New York

Icebergs are clearly one of the big trends this Winter in window schemes as we have seen quite a few around the city.  At this Canadian womens wear brand, which we had never seen before now, they have produced quite a spectacular scheme which we felt compelled to include.  A simple scheme but these guys have really made an effort to look so good and this is much appreciated (just get those mannequin groupings right though, eh?) 

Baccarat, New York

We have passed this brand on a number of occasions and have never really been impressed with what they do.  However, while this isn't the most exciting thing that we have viewed here in New York it is of course superbly executed.  OK, well its just a chandelier in a box we hear you say, and yes you are right it is, although a very big box it is too and Red on the inside.  You really couldn't make this stuff up.  Well, what more can we say really?

Moncler, New York

References to astronomy, the stars and planets have featured at quite a few brands around the city and here at Moncler who always produce very sophisticated installations the world over have included the earth and we guess moon and Mars.  If you've read in the press recently the amount of space travel happening from India, China and so on, it is clear that these guys have tapped into some of the key headlines from which to draw influence to produce their scheme.  And beautifully done it is too.

Saks, 5th Avenue, New York

Saks 5th Avenue of course is as impressive as ever this season.  We have to confess that we don't like this kind of cuddly monster crap ourselves but judging by the crowds around the windows, a lot of other people do.  Anyway, its Yeti time, Yetis on trains and in all sorts of scenarios.  We made a video of this and fortunately managed to do the whole run of windows without single person in sight.  It was 3.30am however and obviously normal people are in bed at that time (or partying somewhere) while we walk the streets in peace.  Check out our video anyway and decide what you think?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwJ_FEdLV5Y

Lord & Taylor, New York

Where on earth would we be without a bit of this seasons favourite, good old nostalgia.  If you happen to be walking passed Lord and Taylor, then you will notice lots of references to days gone by with a very big dose of Victoriana (and the art of revival or resuscitation depending on your views). Lots of hand drawn images are appearing around the main visual merchandised cities of the world right now and in this case here at Lord and Taylor, movable bits too.  You really are spoiling us.  Anyway, check out our video below and see for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8UJlFSZLO8

Henri Bendel, New York

Now this is a bit of a corker of a scheme.  Since the take over, buy out, financial help or whatever you want to call it, of Barneys, they have gone a bit generic, and it has been a case of, in the words of (possibly) Mr. Chow, 'sionara bitches' to the old schemes of papier mache,  clever caustic humour and whole load of personality.  Anyway, it appears that Bendels have picked up the baton and produced this fantastic scheme, all mache'd beautifully.  Notice the references to the hand drawn here.  To really appreciate it, this a video we made earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8UccpDY5OE

Macys, New York

If you want to be underwhelmed and are up for a giggle then do go and view this little gem of a scheme at Macys.  We don't know if they take themselves too seriously (probably) but here we have the usual offering of 'cookie cutter' malarkey that only tourists or those from the 'burbs could truly love?  With their strap line, 'Believe' (of course we do) which can be seen a lot around the immediate streets on banners, the narrative here is of a little boy and a series of his experiences (we just couldn't bring ourselves to delve too deeply).  We did think anamatronics were a thing of the past but here it is in all its juddering glory together with a sprinkling of 21st century technology.  Oh Macys you are the gift that just keeps giving.  Check out our video and you too can 'Believe'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrjJnqe8zMg

De Bijenkorf, Amsterdam

Images Courtesy and Copyright uxusdesign.com

We leave you alone in Europe for just a few moments and you get all creative on us.  If we had known De Bijenkorf in Amsterdam were going to produce this incredible scheme we would have swung by and taken a look for ourselves.  Thankfully our contacts have shared these with us so that we can show you too and how magnificent and interesting is this installation, eh? (unfortunately we are unable to make the images bigger but if you subscribe by e-mail then you should be able to do this for yourself)  We've seen quite a few references to the Victorian period here in New York so it is fantastic to identify this as one of the key trends this Winter as well as, as you will see much later this month, references to space travel, astronomy and icebergs; clearly some of the luxe brands have their forecasters working overtime.  The direct references here are to Victorian paper toy theatres which those geniuses at UXUS in conjunction with De Bijenkorf have really pulled off so well.  A series of theatrical narratives takes the customer on a journey through a mysterious forest with magical animals which enhances selected product in each window (our favorite is the one at the top).  Brilliant stuff guys.   

Barneys, New York

We were rather impressed with Barneys windows this year and their state of the art technology supplied by Christie.  The 'New York Holiday' experience here is a fantastic example of the use of technology meets traditional window installation and once again demonstrates how confident this retailer is that they don't even have to show any product; incredible.  We do admire this in a retailer.  As you can see from the image below and the empty streets of New York that we were here very late at night so the doors to the window that we really wanted to experience were locked however we did go back a few days later and had a whole 3 minutes to make a video undisturbed which you can view below.  Once inside the store, if you do manage to get here, do go and view the fantastic in store gallery inspired by the music of Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and artist Joanie Lemercier, it really is a feast of immersive technology and great product too.  A big thumbs up Mr. Freedman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-9fpkkG4cI

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Welcome to New York...!  After an agonising journey across the pond we have finally made it to the centre of it all and what better way to begin than to view that monolith in the Visual Merchandising world, Bergdorf Goodman.  Of course in true style these guys have entertained delighted and produced their usual magnificent scheme; this year based on the seasonal events, Valentines, Halloween and so on.  The detail as ever is so incredible that we have been back a few times as we keep finding new things to look at.  Naturally we made a video of it all for you to view (link below) and take part in the spectacle in case you miss them.  We're covering the windows in NYC for the next three weeks so do check back and see whats happening here in the Big Apple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuBvfS8eVxs

(yes, its meant to be upside down)