Capitalist Christmas 2018

This site is usually dedicated to art that’s inspiring, thought-provoking, skillfully executed, and/or breathtakingly beautiful … and once a year, I stretch that to include the fabulous decorations, clothing, and jewelry on display in Manhattan during the holiday season. Enjoy! This post is available as a video at https://youtu.be/DyZO4pbjDJo.

Decorations

The stars in the Time Warner Center’s atrium were for years my favorite holiday decoration: see last year’s Capitalist Christmas post. This year they’ve been bumped by the amazing light-and-music show at Saks Fifth Avenue.

And here are a couple still photos for good measure:

Saks Fifth Avenue facade, December 2018. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Saks Fifth Avenue facade, December 2018. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

If you turn around 180 degrees from Saks, this is what you see: the tree at Rockefeller Center.

Rockefeller Center. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Rockefeller Center. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

One of the set of trumpeters that has been at Rockefeller Center for as long as I can remember.

Rockefeller Center. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Rockefeller Center. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

And then there’s Tiffany’s, Fifth Avenue at 57th St.: dripping with “gems”.

Tiffany’s, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

The robot over north entrance seems to be made of Tiffany’s famous blue boxes!

Tiffany’s, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Whatever shall I wear?

Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue at 72nd Street. Tasteful, as you’d expect. Giant bears, which you wouldn’t.

Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue at 72nd St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Ralph Lauren, Madison Avenue at 72nd St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

The Bergdorf Goodman windows always remind me of those clever commercials that stick in your mind, even though you have no idea what they’re selling … But I always make a point of checking them out. This year’s theme: candy.

Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Avenue at 58th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Avenue at 58th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Avenue at 58th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Currently the winner for favorite evening gown, although I’m quite capable of changing my mind at the last minute.

Dennis Basso, Madison in the 60s. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Accessories

Calling these “accessories” is like calling Buckingham Palace “ahumble abode”. I have probably not earned enough in a lifetime to buy any one of these, but walking by and adoring them is free. These are all Van Cleef & Arpels, Fifth Avenue at 57th Street (catty-corner from Tiffany’s).

Van Cleef & Arpels, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Van Cleef & Arpels, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante
Van Cleef & Arpels, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

The bracelet …

… that goes with this necklace. I’m very fond of asymmetrical jewelry. I wonder if it’s balanced so that it stays in this position. Just for the sake of research, may I wear this for an hour or so, please?

Van Cleef & Arpels, Fifth Avenue at 57th St. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Assorted silliness

Penguins on Madison Avenue in the 70s: video here. Am I charmed? Am I seasick? Can’t decide.

Diesel recognizes the importance of thinking.

Diesel goes conceptual. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Another window that makes me want the props more than what’s being sold. Bruno Cucinelli, Madison Avenue in the 60s.

Bruno Cuccinelli. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

I couldn’t agree … more.

Makiage window. Photo copyright © 2018 Dianne L. Durante

Saw this in a window, but my photo was blurry, so I’ve grabbed an image off Amazon. If I weren’t on a low-carb diet, I’d be baking Ninjabread this year.

Grabbed from Amazon.

More

  • The 2017 Capitalist Christmas post is here; 2016 is here. Or click Holidays in the Obsessions cloud.
  • The albums for earlier years are on Facebook: 20152014, 2013 (part 1 and part 2),  2011, and 2010. I seem to have skipped 2012.
  • Want wonderful art delivered weekly to your inbox? Check out my free Sunday Recommendations list and rewards for recurring support: details here.