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Holiday Windows Dazzle Midtown

By Jill Colvin | November 25, 2011 5:56pm
Exterior view of the 2011 Holiday Windows at Lord & Taylor.
Exterior view of the 2011 Holiday Windows at Lord & Taylor.
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Jason Kempin/Getty Images

MIDTOWN — Amanda Burgess could barely contain her excitement after setting eyes on this year’s Macy’s holiday windows.

“Oh my gosh, it was magical!” the 19-year-old college student gushed. "It’s really fantastic. It’s the best year I’ve seen.”

Over the past several weeks, retailers across the city have been unveiling their holiday windows, featuring everything from flying fairies to Lady Gaga.

At Macy’s, crowds have been gathering each night to marvel at the windows created by designer Paul Olszewski. Some tell the story of “Yes, Virginia...," about a little girl who has trouble believing in Santa Claus. Others, titled “Make-A-Wish,” are intended to demonstrate “the magical transformation of holiday wishes and dreams into festive holiday ornaments,” with a Steampunk theme, according to DesignInTell.

“Almost every detail within each window is made from paper, cut both by laser and by hand, and has been layered and manipulated to give a beautiful and unique quality,” Olszewski told BroadwayWorld, explaining how the paper-made animations for the LCD screens create a captivating “combination of artistry and technology.”

Other highlights of this year's windows included:

• At Barneys New York, Lady "Gaga's Workshop" has brought the whimsical and weird to the windows of the luxury retailer's 660 Madison Ave. flagship store, which are inspired by the pop star.

• At Lord & Taylor, the windows have been transformed with the theme, “What is Christmas Made Of?” and were inspired by kids from Women In Need shelters and local schools who were asked to draw what they believe Christmas is made of, the company said.

Lady Gaga attends Gaga's Workshop Ribbon Cutting at Barneys New York on November 21, 2011 in New York City.
Lady Gaga attends Gaga's Workshop Ribbon Cutting at Barneys New York on November 21, 2011 in New York City.
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Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Barneys New York

• At Bloomingdale's, the windows are an ode to the brand's iconic shopping bags and feature ornate displays of oversize, vintage bags that open or spin,  alongside playfully posing figures.