Part of the magic of Christmas are the lights and decorations that adorn the public spaces in many cities. There are plenty of fantastic examples from around the world. I have scoured the internet and here are my picks for the most interesting and best Christmas installations for the art-, design- and fashion-minded…
Dior has transformed Harrods into a gingerbread winter wonderland. Harrods have forgone the usual Christmas red and greens and have instead transformed their storefront into a sugar lover's dream, with biscuits and crisp white icing adornments decorating the department store.
It’s not just the 44 windows of the outside that have been transformed, inside there’s an immersive experience taking you through the life of Christian Dior and the history of the fashion house, made entirely out of gingerbread. Yum!
Images from here
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This spectacular façade is of Annabel’s, a private members club in London’s Mayfair. Inspiration for their Christmas display was drawn from vintage fairgrounds and carousels. Inside the club, members and their guests will enjoy specially created festive delights and entertainment including a magician, special visitors from the North Pole, and Christmas themed games. The club also serves special cocktails during the festive season, including The Gingerbread Martini, The MistletoeSpritz and The JollyHighball. Cheers 🍸
Image from here
For a traditional Christmas installation, it is hard to look past the quintessential Christmas tree at New York’s Rockefeller Centre. The extravagant tree stands at over 30 metres tall, takes more than 20 people, 1 week, to decorate and the star atop features 3 million dazzling Swarovski crystals across 70 triangular spikes. The installation also features a picturesque ice-skating rink, which you may have seen in holiday movies such as Elf and Home Alone 2. For a live stream of the tree and rink, click here.
An unconventional, and awesome, installation is that of the Surfboard Tree at The Royal Poinciana Plaza, a high-end shopping centre in Palm Beach, Florida.
Each year a different artist or designer has created the surfboard tree. This year the tree has been designed by centenarian, maximalist, and design icon, Iris Apfel. The tree is accessorised by her signature round oversized glasses, bright colours and turquoise necklaces and looks as fabulous as she does.
Image from here
For those of you not travelling this Christmas, Melbourne always has fantastic Christmas displays on offer. My top 4 for this year are…
1. Myer Windows. The Myer windows are an icon for a reason. In their 67th year, the windows celebrate Disney’s centenary. I personally find it much more pleasant to see the windows in the evening when the crowds have died down. They windows are open 7.30am - 10.30pm daily until the New Year.
2. The very Instagram worthy giant golden reindeer at the Docklands. You can find it near Merchant Street.
3. Swanston St Neon Installations. Sparkling neon artworks are along Swanston Street, and hidden down Scott Alley. Created by Electric Confetti the glowing installations combine star-shaped lights, sequinned walls, disco-themed native fauna motifs and more.
4. Row Ho-Ho. Santa and his Christmas dolphins can be seen floating down the Yarra every day right up until Christmas. It is best viewed between the Evan Walker and Sandridge bridges.
Images from here
Merry Christmas to you all.
B x
