NYC Holiday Windows 2015

NYC Holiday Windows are fun to glimpse, and 2015 is no exception. It was a beautiful warm day in New York City today (high of 65 degrees!) so a short walk took us from Saks Fifth Avenue to Tiffany's to Barneys. Here are the highlights:

1. Barneys New York

I'm a huge fan of Dale Chihuly's glass sculptures, which you can see at the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit in Seattle, right by the Space Needle, and also in places that have purchased his glass sculpture installations, such as the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore.

Dale Chihuly designed one of the Barneys New York windows, called “Winter Brilliance,” which features more than 700 hand-blown glass pieces, creating grand ice crystal stars. The light changes, and the entire display is set to an adaptation of a score by Debussey, one of Chihuly's favorite composers, so I thought a little video would convey the effect better than simply a photo.

Another window features fanciful ice sculptures, also with changing lighting:

And a third window features regular live ice sculptor performances, definitely a first for me, during the years I've been in NYC, at least:

There was even an Ice Sculpture of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building:

2. Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows include several winter white displays with fanciful holiday dresses and winter feasts:

The more interesting windows are made for the traveler, featuring iconic monuments in a winter presentation. First up is the Icy Eiffel Tower:

Next is the Sub-Zero Sphinx:

Then there's the Wintry Wall of China:

Next is the Ice Cold Colosseum (though I'm glad we got to see the original earlier this year, a short drive from the Portrait Roma Hotel).

And finally, the Great Barrier Reef:

3. Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co. isn't known for its Christmas windows, which tend to be tasteful yet understated affairs that, naturally enough, showcase their jewelry. This year's windows are no exception: small and lovely, but not ones that draw crowds, so it's easy to get a look. The framing reminds me of Wedgewood's Jasper design, blue with white trim:

For flash, you'll want to step back and look at the lights on the Tiffany & Co. building itself, which are inspired by the company's display at the 1939 World’s Fair.