Macy's Holiday Windows

[Nephele]

For anyone planning a trip to New York City this holiday season, be sure to check out the Macy's department store holiday window display (151 West 34th Street, Manhattan). 

This year they've done a fantastical steampunk theme.  Here are some pics I took tonight when I was passing by:






-- Nephele

[Maets]

That looks pretty nice. Thanks for the pictures.

[Will Howard]

Macy's decorates Christmas windows in SteamPunk style?  What does that tell you?

[Captain Lyerly]

Stand by for a large crash, that's what it tells you.  I had hoped it wouldn't end up so mainstream, but this really is an alarm bell. 

Things may be okay for a while, but similar paths of genres in the past have peaked sharply - music videos, fashion shows, every trendy celebrity hitting hard, Macy's windows... and then nobody wants a part of it.  It is suddenly old hat, sooooo 2011, passe'.  So we may be on a similar roller coaster - or we may not be.  There is a lot to Steampunk besides the clothes and the 'style'; I hope that we don't lose too many from our core - if some of our best lights become bitter after a few disdainful articles in some airhead magazine such as Vanity Fair or The Economist.

We shall see.


Chas.

[Antipodean]

That it's Christmas? 

[The Squire]

The Macey's windows look beautiful . . .

Macy's NYC - Holiday Window Decorations 2011

, , , but the Saks Fifth Avenue projection show was really spectacular!

Saks Fifth Avenue Christmas 2011 Light Show

[Capt. Dirigible]

So I guess we can expect Selfridges to have something similar next year....

[Herr Döktor]

Well, despite the comparison to various other 'scenes', I don't recall a Goth Christmas Macey's window display...

It all looks rather lovely to me, and if it shines more positive light on the Steampunk world, where's the harm?

[Strapped-4-Cache]

     ... and, if there's to be a crash following the "trend", that should mean that there will be a lot of slightly used clothing and items out there in a few months that the rest of us can then purchase for a fraction of the inflated "trendy" price.

[Jedediah Solomon]

I would be in line to purchase the Macy's window display..

[Major Willoughby Chase]

     ... and, if there's to be a crash following the "trend", that should mean that there will be a lot of slightly used clothing and items out there in a few months that the rest of us can then purchase for a fraction of the inflated "trendy" price.

Yup, this is what I've repeatedly said.  I'm more than happy to pay the mainstream a fraction of the funds they invested.

[Nephele]

Wow, The Squire!  Thanks for posting those videos!  I completely missed the Saks Fifth Avenue window light show because I didn't get uptown far enough yesterday.  

And I, too, would be so in line to purchase bits from the Macy's display!  I want that pink airship!

I was also at The Strand yesterday (corner of 12th Street and Broadway, for those unfamiliar with the best bookstore in New York City) and on the second floor they have an entire table display of steampunk books.

-- Nephele

[Maets]

Thanks for the videos.

[markf]

Same for me Nephele an Squire, thank you for your efforts.  Having lived in that area for decades it is nice to see those local traditions still well represented.  markf

[bicyclebuilder]

I always thought Christmas is the most Steampunk holiday. Here's another proof of my theory. 
Where I live, the store owners aren't that creative. An occasional x-mas tree and the manequins wearing santa hats and that's mainly it. 

[Antipodean]

The clip is supplied by the manufacturer of the Glasses Free 3D video wall seen in the first window.

Macy's Christmas Windows 2011

********* While I am here – A warm season's greetings to all who gather here. *********

 

[D.Oakes]

I guess Macy's is just carrying on their tradition.  Even Salvador Dali did a window for them.  (he later smashed it out and changed it after Macy's edited his design) 

While I was in Macy's the other week, doing some Christmas shopping for my fiance, I couldn't help but notice that some of their clothing is getting steamy, in the sort of way that is quite tasteful.  Pricey...but I liked it...saw a great looking jacket that I almost bought for myself until I realized it was for women....but it was too 19th century military for my fiance's tastes. 

[Kryss LaBryn]

And the weird thing is, 3 minutes ago I never would have even considered spending a Christmas in New York, let alone have added it to my list of Things I Really Must Do Someday.

And yet, here we are. Wow. That is all so cool.

Aaand now I am left with a lingering urge to watch "Being John Malkovich" again...

[bicyclebuilder]

Although it looks wonderfull, I think advertising this way may backfire. Think about it, someone (or more) made this display. The materials and hours that went in this display cost an x amount of money. More than the usual displays made. Someone has to pay for the expences made. That someone is the costumer.
I guess that's why in Holland we don't "over do" it. An occasional cristmas tree and a santa hat here and there. Display's made by the store owner or manager him/herself.

[D.Oakes]

Although it looks wonderfull, I think advertising this way may backfire. Think about it, someone (or more) made this display. The materials and hours that went in this display cost an x amount of money. More than the usual displays made. Someone has to pay for the expences made. That someone is the costumer.
I guess that's why in Holland we don't "over do" it. An occasional cristmas tree and a santa hat here and there. Display's made by the store owner or manager him/herself.

Macy's has been doing it a long time, it was founded in 1858 after all.    That sort of advertising has been part of their style starting not long after the company began to take off.  With all the stores that Macy's has throughout the country, pretty much the purchase of one overpriced coat from each of those stores would be enough to pay for the window.  

In America a lot of the smaller shops are being taken over or pushed out of the market by monster chains and malls which offer one stop shopping and "lower" prices.  (usually at the cost of quality and customer service)  A few of my friends who own shops all do things the old fashioned way with family and friends pitching in time to help organize the window displays.  The stereotype of Europe that I've always hoped is true is that a lot of those smaller establishments still exist in greater numbers.  

My fiance's ring came from my one friend's shop.  The price was low and it was a very unique piece made from sterling silver with a diamond, copper, and opal.  Now, the fact that price was low worried me a bit, but I bought it anyway because she absolutely loved it.  I trusted my friend, but I do not know the Native American artisan he gets his pieces from.  Well, by chance about a week later we were in an antique mall and a jeweler saw her ring.  We were thinking about wedding bands and she wants one that fits around the engagement ring.  The jeweler looked at it for a bit, going over it with all his gadgets....well it turns out that the diamond is REAL as in nature's own creation.  The moral to this story for all my friends who think small shops charge more....THEY DON'T!  And you get better service and help the local economy.  

[Magnusmagic]

Remind me ever to spend Christmas in Holland!

[Magnusmagic]

Seriously though...
Below is an excerpt from a blog post by anthropologist Krystal D'Costa on  http://www.scientificamerican.com/ about the windows that puts them in proper context:

"The 2011 Macy’s “Make a Wish” steampunk-themed windows pay tribute to the Make-a-Wish Foundation highlight special designer ornaments, which are of course available for purchase.  These annual displays do much to help create and maintain a meaning associated with the holidays. For example, every year Macy’s devotes a set of windows to A Miracle on 34th Street, a story about a little girl who learns to believe in Santa after meeting Kris Kringle. It’s an interesting choice as the movie’s message both addresses and surpasses the commercialism that has become a part of the season. As such, it serves as a reminder of the magic and generosity associated with Christmas. The annual themed windows echo this sentiment with elements of fantasy. The 2006 Tree-oriented displays provided glimpses into worlds removed from human eyes that emphasized values like friendship and love.
 
But this annual tradition can also reveal the ebb and flow of social interests. The “Make a Wish” windows mix old with new in the steampunk tradition as we stand on the crossroads of technology and find our lives increasingly intertwined with machinery. It highlights the ways innovation has long intersected with creativity, driving mechanical advancements and encouraging us to dream larger."

The blog can be read in full here:

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/anthropology-in-practice/2011/12/28/macys-holiday-tradition-windows-through-time/

[Wilhelmina Frame]

Macy's wasn't the only one who had windows that could fit into steampunk. Check out the survey I did for steampunk chronicle.

http://www.steampunkchronicle.com/ArticleView/tabid/238/ArticleId/156/NYCs-holiday-windows-celebrate-the-whimsy-of-Steampunk.aspx

[Magnusmagic]

Well done Ms. Frame! Thank you both Ladies....