Hi friends, welcome back! Every year, Saks Fifth Avenue is known for their spectacular holiday light show and decorated windows, but this year is unique because it’s the first time they’ve ever partnered with a brand. They teamed up with Dior to create the theme “Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks” featured in the light show and store windows. In October they put up a zodiac calendar on the Fifth Avenue façade and I was very intrigued by how they would incorporate it into their holiday décor.
Per their website, “Monsieur Dior’s dream trip from Paris to New York in 1947 serves as the inspiration for the windows, which are intricately designed by a collective of artisans sourced from all over the world. Monsieur Dior is seen going on a journey from Paris to NYC within the windows, with each one serving as a stop along the way.”
The scenes take place in September 1947 when Dior visited New York for the first time. I was amazed by all the intricate details in each scene. Per the press release: “The journey begins with Monsieur Dior receiving an invitation from Saks to visit New York. He prepares for his trip against a backdrop of iconic Parisian landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Jardins du Luxembourg and Dior’s historic flagship store on Avenue Montaigne.”
“Once Monsieur Dior arrives in New York, window projections and animations show him zipping along the Hudson River in a boat shaped like a J’Adior slingback pump and gliding across the famous Rockefeller Center Ice Rink in a sled shaped like a Miss Dior perfume bottle.” I don’t think the skyline looked like this in 1947, but I’ll let it slide.
“The Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Saks Fifth Avenue New York flagship are among the New York icons that make an appearance in the windows.”
“One display features intricate miniature trunks showcasing special moments in Dior’s history, including the luxury house’s Spring-Summer 1972 presentation at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York and the Christian Dior exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1996.”
I can only imagine how many hours went into each window! I am happy the windows tell a story instead of being an obvious advertisement for Dior.
Saks said the light show is their most ambitious yet and “Draws inspiration from the Dior cruise 2024 collection and other distinctive Dior symbols featured in the Saks.com pop-up, with intricate botanical icons and a profusion of flowers surrounding a magnificent celestial tableau punctuated with Dior House codes such as the star, the clover and the signs of the Zodiac.” The light show starts at 5pm and runs every ten minutes. The show will run until January 5th. You can watch a replay of the full light show here.
Sadly, the light show didn’t do it for me this year. I just don’t think this Carousel of Dreams is very festive. It was a beautiful light show, but it felt more loke something that should be shown in the spring. It also had half the number of lights (300,000) compared to last year’s show.
Compared to other years, I think the windows are incredible, but I prefer the more traditional and festive light show from prior years. What do you think of this years display?
Truly fabulous!
They really went all out!
Wow. It’s… a lot. I’m inclined to agree with you. The intricacy is impressive but it’s not very Christmassy.
I think people would rather have cheesy Christmas than a high end display.
Each post gets bigger and brighter Lyssy. Well done. Vancouver has some nice displays but not to this extent. Happy Monday. Allan
I just wish the crowds got smaller with each post too! Rockefeller isn’t even fun anymore there are so many people, it’s nuts! It is fun to see the decorations in big cities.
I love the massive, bronze circle, which is broken up into eight sections and decorated with all the zodiac signs and a spray of stars, but it’s not festive. I am more of a life-size Santas, sleighs, and snowmen kind of person. Have you ever been over to see the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights display? Thanks for sharing, and have a good day xx Aiva
I totally agree, I love the super festive nostalgic type Christmas decor. I have been to Dyker Heights the last two years and it was a lot of fun! The only downside is it takes me about 50 minutes to get there by subway.
Those window displays are so neat… but I agree that the light show reads as more spring to me with all those flowers. Perhaps if they had used poinsettias or pinecones/evergreen branches it would have felt more Christmas like.
That is a great idea, they could’ve done something like that and everyone would’ve been happy. I think the last two year they had competitions to let kids design the windows, so it’s a very different vibe this year.
The zodiac calendar is striking in the day (and not at all attractive at night), and looks like something a giant stomped along with and simply slapped on the side of the building. The only window to catch my eye was the elegant Carousel of Dreams (although the one with the sand in the “base” is pretty creative too). Otherwise, the concepts are a little out there, as if the artists were on something when they came up with the idea 🙂
It is pretty during the day and nice to look at, but the light show really left a lot to be desired. I am curious to see if Saks will end partnerships for Christmas. The consensus seems to be that it is not a great Christmas show. Bergdorf is at least known for their high-end intricate windows, so that’s to be expected. Saks usually has a better Christmas vibe.
Magnificent Lyssy.
It’s quite a fantastic display!
This has got to be the prettiest and most magical display I’ve seen so far in your holiday stores series. There’s that “Hugo” charm to it, as if you’re transported to 1930s Paris and all of the glamour associated with clocks and cinéma in its early days. Lots of lights to certainly be dazzled by!
You are right, it does have a “Hugo” charm to it! There are a lot of windows and scenes to take in at Saks this year. It’s fun to see how each store has such a unique display.
Wow!!! This is truly captivating and magical!!! There are so many beautiful details in all the windows, and it is really impressive.
I really loved all the little details, it’s amazing how much work they probably put into these.
The creative work is impressive, but I agree that traditional Christmas themes are enough to create something beautiful for children to dream about.
It is impressive, but I think people want to feel that nostalgic Christmas cheer.
Wow this is ornate. If I’m honest though I’d much rather have something personal and traditional than Mr Dior’s trip across the ocean that isn’t exactly either – BUT it is beautifully done and a bit different which is nice.
I totally agree, it just doesn’t scream or even really whisper Christmas. I do appreciate all the details though.
Quite a creation! I do love that it’s a bit different and not traditionally Christmas themed (though I see from the comments that it’s a minority view).
Fab but not my favourite of all you’ve shown us this Christmas…
I agree!
Agreed, the Carousel of Dreams insn’t super festive, but it’s still beautiful, even more so at night.
😍😍