The festive season is fast approaching, and with it begins the ritual of Christmas shopping and decorating. The City of Light is decked out in its finest finery, and department store windows vie with each other in offering wonderful surprises to immerse us in the Christmas spirit.
Décorations
And, as every year, they amaze young and old with their automata and shimmering colors.
Kristin Scott Thomas et Alber Elbaz
This year, Printemps Haussmann revisits centuries of customs and traditions for a Christmas at the Château as cheeky as it is generous and convivial. Joie de vivre, hedonism and effervescence are the order of the day for refined festivities. To find the right gift, from the most classic to the craziest, the gift stores go to great lengths. The famous Boutique Noire is back, but this year it’s joined by a plush boutique and a high-tech gift store, while the Décorations and Epicerie de Noël boutiques will help us spend an exceptional Christmas.
Vitrine rose
The department store’s facades are lit up in powdery colors, and the animated window displays blend humor and elegance.
Coupure du ruban par Alber Elbaz
And for the enjoyment of young and old alike, Printemps is offering a magical event to celebrate the enchantment of Christmas. The famous artistic director of the Lanvin house , Alber Elbaz, was chosen to decorate the windows on the theme of » Christmas at the Château « , which was inaugurated on Wednesday November 10, 2010, in the presence of Alber Elbaz of course, and actress Kristin Scott Thomas, accompanied by Paolo De Cesare, president of the department store.
And the show begins
This year, Printemps Haussmann tells a story through four animated window displays (one pink, one red and two green) with two prestigious guests, Miss and Mister Lanvin.
Vitrine illuminée
Huge portraits adorn the back of the display cabinets, and a few delicately decorated busts of Anne Brunet adorn some of the tables.
Miss et Mister Lanvin
Our hosts made a majestic arrival in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by their baroque court, in front of Alber Elbaz and Kristin Scott Thomas.
Arrivée de la cour
For the occasion, the designer imagined festive outfits for our friends. Miss Lanvin wore a gold-washed evening lamé from the Fall-Winter 2010-2011 show, embroidered with a heart of red Crystal, pearls and feathers. Mister Lanvin, meanwhile, was decked out in his finest attire, donning a black tuxedo in washed cotton satin, accessorized with a red silk satin« Alber » bow tie.
Miss and Mister Lanvin welcome their friends to an old manor house for a festive buffet to celebrate Christmas, then dance in the ballroom in front of the majestic fireplace and enjoy the evening with a few treats.
Fantôme vous avez dit fantôme
Others will prefer to lose themselves in the castle’s vast halls, where they may encounter ghosts…
Thierry Poncelet
As for the Homme store windows, they host for the first time an exhibition-sale of aristochian portraits painted by artist Thierry Poncelet. Thierry Poncelet, a specialist in the restoration of 18th and 19th century paintings, brings unusual creations to life, combining his knowledge of painting with his love for man’s best friend.
Quatuor Ivana
And as music softens the mood, Quator Ivana will be playing the contemporary repertoire every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from November 13 to December 22, 2010. With the sound of two violins, a viola and a cello, you can hear a film score or a Beatles tune in the aisles of Printemps Haussmann. This quartet, made up of women who specialize in chamber music, likes to reinterpret today’s standards. A fine way of blending the great classics with more modern titles.
Alber Elbaz
This year, Printemps Haussmann is really pulling out all the stops to make sure we have an exceptional holiday season…
Marie-Odile Radom