London Wonder

Selfridges Christmas Windows 2013 - Destination Christmas!

I've been meaning to write up this post for a while now, and it wasn't until I re-visited Selfridges' 2013 Christmas Windows yesterday evening that I HAD to do it!
Within it's usual splendour and glamour of faux green twinkling shrubbery, stood the intricate and very detailed Christmas Story of the store. Each window had been themed using giant products as it's display. A much simpler idea than last years' windows, but I reckon a lot more effective! The giant display draws you in, and the beautiful detail memorises. It's incredible how much work, time, organisation and planning is put into creating these displays. I make such a big deal out of them every year as they're not only crucial to the retailer as a form of attracting customers in-store to purchase, but they're also a great way of communication - your shopping experience (from your thoughts, feelings, senses, everything) has begun and enticed before even stepping through their doors. Clever.

Each window really does have something for everyone, from the giant Beats by Dre headphones, to the eye-wateringly beautiful Charlotte Olympia signature Kitty flats. Decorated with hundreds of penguins, snowmen and Santa's, it's clear that no stone was left unturned. The incredibly detailed Fornasetti Profumi candle, rotating Play-Doh pottle, giant Givency high-top trainer and beautiful pendulum-style swinging Yves Saint Laurent monogram tassel clutch bag all added to the 'something for everyone' fun and playful theme they were going for. You could say that the merch team at Selfridges have shot themselves in the foot, by having the challenge of making a bigger, better and even more imaginative display than the last.

The show however was stolen by a celebration of London's lost architectural gems by recreating them in gingerbread form! Intricately made, with every ounce of detail remembered, the cityscape looked more than good enough to eat! Watch the creation of the beautiful display by Bompas & Parr here. The section took a mammoth 400 hours to complete with every window, door handle, postbox, and everything in-between been made a priority.
Special mention to: the Barbie display - it makes me want to jump in and play! They've created such a fun feeling atmosphere, a kind of Barbie does The Alps, followed by chic apres-ski.