New York City 2009 Holiday Window Displays

Some people hate shopping during the holidays, the crowds, the headache of parking, the lines - but i love it. I love the hustle bustle, and i LOVE the decorations. It's amazing what these department stores can do with their design budget, my local Nordstrom for instance is full of paper made woodland creatures and the Anthropology is a poofy recycled textural dream.

Like last year, I wanted to share some imagery from the best of the best in holiday decorating greatness from New York City department stores.

Macy's 2009 recreates A Miracle on 34th StreetLord and Taylor's 2009 Crystal Encrusted Winter Wonderland

Bergdorf Goodman's 2009 Compendium of Curiosities (very Alice in Wonderland)
like to gaze at window design? check out another normal for lots of eye candy

Smallbean Benefit Concert - NYC

I've talked before about new Nonprofit Organization Smallbean who takes slightly out of date electronics to Africa to teach the locals and document for the world. For all you New Yorkers putting your out of date iPods to good use will be super easy this weekend, and you get live entertainment to boot!

The Fresh Air Fund - Looking for Racers

The Fresh Air Fund, a not for profit organization proving inner city children with free summer programs in rural settings or fresh air camp experiences, has put the call out for runners to participate in the New York City Half Marathon to raise money for the cause.





For more info on how you can participate or volunteer, check out the Fresh Air Fund website.

Lost Tribes of New York City

This quirky stop motion animation, taken in the streets of New York City, just put a huge smile on my face. Man holes, newspaper racks, payphones, and other common fixtures in the city streets tell their own New York Stories. Who knew a newspaper box could have so much personality?


The Lost Tribes of New York City from Carolyn London on Vimeo.

I found this little gem over at Motionographer.

New York Department Store's Holiday Windows 2008

As a former Production Designer and Set Decorator my absolute dream job would be to design store fronts in New York. Every year the biggest retailers outdo themselves with magical, otherworldy, and completely awesome vignettes.

Each store has a unique theme that is always fitting to the brand itself. This year, Barney's celebrates the anniversary of the peace sign with a hippy trippy display right out of the 60's. Sak's Fifth Avenue's display is a snowflake story book adventure, Macy's is a bright and colorful futuristic toy store, and Lord and Taylor's is a nod to traditions in an elaborate Christmas scene. The Bloomingdales scenes look like they were ripped from the 60's ad campaigns from Mad Men, and Bergdorf Goodman is an eerie but elegant winter scene with intricate white details and woodland creatures.

Barney's
Sak's Fifth Avenue (video)
Macy'sLord and TaylorBloomingdalesBergdorf Goodman

Steven Wilson and BBH Urge us to Go to NYC

A few weeks ago some new ads appeared in bus stops around the Boston area that jumped out from the graying New England cityscape. These NYCGO.com billboards left me dreaming of a fun filled dayglo city life even though i know in reality New York is just and gray as Boston by this point in December. Maybe it could feel bright and lively enough to make up for the weather?
The ads are by illustrator Steven Wilson who's portfolio is hours of inspiration and includes editorial work, advertising, album art, fine art, and even some videos. Take a visit, or stay tuned as he has lots more I'd like to share. Thanks for the images Steven!

Adidas Left Right Project

Adidas Originals has produced a new spectacle to celebrate the Classic Superstar. They created enormous replicas of the shoes and had two art collaboratives, one on the East Coast, one on the West, customize their shoe and then meet face to face in Venice Beach to show off their work.

Surface to Air NY took on the Right Side and Upper Playground took on the Left.

Check out the video of the process.

Jayson Atienza

I've been in New York the last couple of days. I attended the Creativity 50 event last night, met some clients, and had the pleasure of chilling with Art Director Jayson Atienza of BBDO. Jayson is disgustingly talented, with his hands in the art and fashion worlds as much as advertising.You can check out more of Jayson's artwork on his site here.

New Yorker's New Eustace

The New Yorker Magazine staged a contest for illustrators, big and small to create a new version of their Eustace Tilley mascot.

Hundreds of images were submitted and can be viewed on this flickr page. I recommend checking them out, the range and creativity is outstanding. The winning 20 designs we featured in the February 11th and February 18th editions of the magazine.

(left)“Eustace Tilley Meets Basil Wolverton” Margaret McCann Atlantic City, New Jersey

(right)“Who’s Looking at Whom” Adam Batliner Ithaca, New York

Prada "Trembled Blossoms"

Here is another high fashion piece, a short film made to capture the essence of Prada's Spring/Summer 2008 line. The film was recently unveiled at Fashion Week in New York (probably why the Louis Vuitton spot just launched as well.) Prada has a website devoted to the piece where it can be downloaded for your computer or your iPod.

This film is an eerie dream world with an interlacing beauty. Personally the characters remind me a bit of The Fifth Element. A film with costumes all created by another high fashion designer, Jean-Paul Gautier. I wonder if it was intentional?

ikea outdoors

Other advertising that I find inspiring comes in unexpected places, like Central Park or the New York Subway, thanks to ikea. I love the idea of adding visual surprises into the world we walk through every day.