Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Of course the most spectacular scheme on the high street here in New York, has to be at Bergdorf Goodman.  Celebrating a staggering 125 years this Beaux Arts building on the site of the former mansion of Cornelius Vanderbilt II looks spectacular and really does have to be seen to be believed.  This years 'Brilliant' scheme is filled with incredible props covered in millions of Swarovski crystals based on narratives such as Crown Jewels, Treasured, Hidden Gem and Glittering.  If you do have the opportunity to go and experience these windows then please do; this is legendary stuff.

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Aritzia, New York

We have seen some really interesting schemes from this brand in the past although perhaps this really isn't, for whatever reason the best one from this brand right now?  We also saw the use of ropes in a repetition and gravitational format at Max Mara in the Middle East during the Summer time so fresh innovation or even a little bit of seasonal cheer is sadly lacking (we could live without the seasonal cheer of course).  In tandem with the lack of mannequin grouping (or perhaps in this case ones which appear to have all argued) this scheme could do with some TLC.

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Armani, New York

Not that it matters what we think of course as it is only just a point of view among millions and no one reads this stuff anyway, do they?  We're not actually sure how we feel about this scheme.  Yes, we want to love it but we only quite like it with its Silver Grey backdrop and lipstick Pink strips (or stripes?).  What is refreshing of course is that there is only the tiniest and less than obvious hint to the season although the quality of the finish here is not quite as hot as this colour (together with its awkwardly placed mannequins).  This isn't screaming luxury to us at the moment but you probably know better.

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Anthropologie, New York

Rocking the Eastern Europe meets the Ginger Bread house-look is Anthroplogie at the Rockefella Center here in the other centre of it all.  This has to be one of the most creative brands on the high street and how superb they are too.  Who knew that so much could be made from scraps of paper and cardboard.  No easy task to make it all look so effortless of course and very much appreciated.

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Berlutti, New York

This brand have really invested in their visual schemes over the passed year it seems as they just get better and better.  Or is it that we only tend to look at their Conduit street store which has such comparatively small windows that its difficult to do very much which is effective?  Who knows.  With their Plan View of a table setting created from some of their products, formality with a clever sense of humour is refreshing particularly as these types of brands tend to be a little stuffy at times.  A big thumbs up anyway.

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Chloe, New York

We tend to fall in and out of love with this brands' windows.  Occasionally we see some incredibly thoughtful schemes which really punch where it hurts and then they seem to revert back to motifs.  Playing cards are rather overdone we feel and while of course this is a super quality installation we aren't so keen on the lack of design.  Does it matter to anyone else?  Probably not.  

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Hermes, New York

How much fun is this scheme?  Greta's Tea Party is the latest installation at this brand in New York produced by the amazing Danish Artist Nina Saunders.  If you google her work its a real treat to view - our favourite has to be the leaking piano..!  Here, Saunders' signature style show this luxury product with such wit and humour you cant help but smile and of course we couldn't help but make a quick video of this scheme to enable you to get a better overview.  Brilliant stuff and great to see humour in at least one window this year.  Check out our video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBqgpzwWVsU

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Barneys, New York

We arrived still rather jet lagged from Toronto (we're still catching up from London time) but we have been out onto the streets of New York all through the night to capture the latest schemes for you.  First stop of course had to be Barneys and we have already been to see all of the other stores along 5th Avenue which we will post each day to share with you.  With their magical ice installation ' Chillin' Out' this store looks incredible.  Two of the windows here are actually giant walk in freezers displaying the work of master ice craftsmen and another in collaboration with the phenomenal Dale Chihuly.  The Penguin Chase toy fills the fourth window with a full scale race track through an icy mountainscape.  To appreciate all of these components this scheme of course is best viewed through the medium of video which you can view below or through this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmHJttkhFqs

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Warhol Revisited, Toronto

We're just popping this here as the window looked quite interesting.  We haven't had enough time to investigate and visit this exhibition fully ourselves as we are short of time although from the scheme with its life-sized figures and Pop Art Brillo, Heinz and Kellogs boxes drew us in.  OK, well its the usual stuff associated with Warhol himself although we don't see windows usually which advertise an exhibition so perhaps this is a worthy inclusion nonetheless.  We are leaving for New York now so we will be showing you some of the incredible delights from the city which never sleeps for the next few weeks.  If you want to see this exhibition then swing by Revolver Gallery along Bloor street here in Toronto.

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Harry Rosen, Toronto

We had never seen this brand before although they appear to have been here in the city for quite some time given the size of this store (and it being rather antiquated).  This is possibly not the most innovative scheme here in Toronto although of course the quality of presentation is in place.  Giant illuminated stars fill these enormous spaces and every window is about the same kind of theme albeit varying slightly from window to window.  What else is there to say really although we guess that this appeals to a certain market however it would have been great to see a narrative across this whole 'run' which differed but we guess that it is what it is.

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Holt Renfrew, Toronto

Founded in 1837 this giant Canadian department store (owned incidentally by the same company which owns Selfridges back in London, Brown Thomas in Dublin and Bijenkorf in Netherlands - imagine having all of those brands to play with..!) has a very dominating presence on this high street.  Specialising in luxury goods the store is quite a treat to visit.  The window spaces here are enormous (by comparison to London stores) and with their out sized props and of course seasonal scheme it really does look spectacular.

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Hermes, Toronto

We're here in Toronto for a few days to explore the delights of the city before heading to NYC to view the windows there too.  First stop, of course is the centre of shopping along Bloor street and Hermes was the fist to grab our attention.  A fantastic interior dressing room-style space - we were particularly drawn to the dressing table in the same effect as the backdrop and overall the scheme is presented as we are peering into a private space.  Great to see a different scheme in another country.  How on earth they manage to ensure quality in the outcomes of the different stores in different places is a giant task in itself, and wonderfully refreshing.

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Coach, London

Where do we even begin to describe this scheme at Coach?  We guess these are rather large baubles with extrusions of various forms?  The scheme of course is completely seasonal and rather glitters across the high street in a gravitational dynamic although apart from that there isn't much more to say about it.  Check out our video here anyway to get the fuller picture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFHBN2yY0Lg

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