December’s Bergdorf Goodman windows still tracing through the memory. The cutwork in the silk duchess satin has stayed with me, as have the splashes of red, lace and maps. The black lace traces around heeled calves in a fretwork of twists and turns.

Oh, how I wish I could shut up like a telescope! I think I could, if I only knew how to begin. ♦

Another view of the Caroll Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman.

And she tried to fancy what the flame of a candle is like after the candle is blown out, for she could not remember ever having seen such a thing ♣

♦♣ Alice; Lewis Caroll ‘Alice in Wonderland’ [D. Appleton. New York 1866].

I wonder if I’ve been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I’m not the same, the next question is ‘Who in the world am I?’ Ah, that’s the great puzzle!  *

The wonderland in this decoupage-filled window is dominated by a disconcerting grin and a Cheshire cat. Every inch is covered with flowers, trees, animals and Victorian paraphernalia. Most of the digital canvas print cut-outs flap in competition for surface space. Another view of the Caroll Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman.

Well! I’ve often seen a cat without a grin; but a grin without a cat! It’s the most curious thing I ever say in my life! ≡

* Spoken by Alice; Lewis Caroll ‘Alice in Wonderland’ [D. Appleton. New York 1866].

≡ ibid.

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn’t be. And what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see? ≡

It is Caroll season! Yes, it is also carol season, and Bergdorf Goodman’s window displays for Christmas are celebrating both the single and double ‘L’ varieties with another spectacular array of windows into other worlds, specifically the worlds from the celebrated children’s classic ‘Alice in Wonderland‘ by Lewis Caroll.

In a delightful throwback to the Tim Burton exhibition at MoMA, and the upcoming release of his latest directorial work, Alice in Wonderland features in all the glory of characters, events and environments.

The windows are so full for this presentation I am posting them in installments. Here the work of Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs thrill on the marble tiles of the palace of the Queen of Hearts [and Clubs], and in the staircases and journey portals of Alice herself.

≡ Spoken by Alice; Lewis Caroll ‘Alice in Wonderland’ [D. Appleton. New York 1866]

But it’s easy to get caught  up in the morals of bejewelled laptops and forget the luscious theatrics in the window. Tales of technology unfold in a scene that tickles with laptop puns as observed by a worldly wise, and it seems well healed,  Mr and Mrs Bunny.  Alternately the well strapped, and strapping, loved up couple Mr and Ms Mouse seem to be getting on with the business of indulgence. whereby observing the ‘seductively slim’ laptop to ‘seduce the senses’ …though only momentarily between amorous adventures.

Kudos to the merchandising team and window dressers for the art of it all. Wonderful fabrics appear from the house of Jim Thompson, including Thai silks. Chrystal elements are from Swarovski’s Chrystallized [whose site is incidentally heavily engaged in support of Charity Water's work with third world communities deprived of safe drinking water]. Rugs are from ABC Carpet&Home. The luscious pillows in the orient scene are by Michele Varian.

What the future holds’ in ‘divine disguise’ would seem to be a laptop with pretty casing. ‘The webmaster’ in us all perhaps may be seduced, or perhaps will remain true to our inner macbook pro, but the show in the windows again is astoundingly entertaining, theatrical… and free.

The Costume Shop for the New York City Ballet is a ragtraders and seamstresses paradise with a goldmine of lace and theatrical concoctions from past to present. Some of these have climbed into the windows this month, complete with concept sketches and other paraphernalia.
Within the Costume Shop designers, seamstresses, dressers and choreographers collaborate, maintaining the repertory of costumes, and creating new garments for future performances. Ðα

His work has recently been incorporated in the book ‘An Art Rich and Strange‘.

An insightful interview in New York Social Diary with the colour-ific and fauna-philic artist at his 10th street ‘rooms’ [apparently 86 of them] has a visual feast of images from his studio. Before I recover from the idea of anyone in Manhattan possessing 86 rooms let me show you the delights of the windows that were on show to the public.