5 themes we noticed this holiday

Holiday 2009 was an exciting season at retail and kudos to the hard working teams of visual merchandisers who helped bring some fun back into store display! We noticed a few themes emerging during the season:

1. winter white - seen here at Polo RL but noted in many locations, the snowy frosty look was a hit.

2. natural influences - the inclusion of real and fake trees, garlands and other natural elements like pine cones lent an old fashioned air to store display.

3. wrapped boxes - most likely what retailers hoped all our homes looked like but the inclusion of wrapped packages in many retail windows gave an air of positive thinking and colorful imagery. Noted here at Ann Taylor Loft but noted in earlier blogs as well.
4. glitter - things that sparkle and shine catch our eye and many went in this shiny direction. Looking ahead to brighter times?

5. effort!! - the biggest thing we noticed this season was retailers big and small put a lot of effort into giving a festive appearance at retail that made shopping fun and entertaining. When was the last time you said that?

What did you see around this holiday season that is worth noting?

Winter Wonderland

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...and apparently so are a few retailers.

We love the snow! and with a few bright touches, like the red cardinal or colorful product, these windows really pop.

Check out the snow made of shredded paper, dixie cups, crumpled plastic and tissue at Anthropologie. It looks like a snow fort you would have made as a kid - which is why it works. When windows create fantasy and memories, you know you have done your job. The white Snow owl on the "fake" tree stump is also terrific and within the 'wall of snow', made out of crumpled white paper, there are other snowy creatures which is fun.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday show so far - get out there and support your local retailers this weekend. Who wouldn't love to finish their shopping early? (then you'd have more time to admire the windows!)

Happy Thanksgiving.

Butterflies are here again!

We saw this in Soho last week and LOVE the idea of snow and butterflies (butterflies are popping up everywhere). Also - this window has a diorama within the larger window which creates a multi dimensional quality which is really fun in person (sorry about the limits of my photography). The trees, the snow, the woman with the elaborate hat and of course the bounty of hot pink butterflies - what does it all mean? Who cares! It's so great to look at and makes me want to know more about what's inside the store. Ah, the art of windows!