New York department store, Barneys, has recruited Aussie film maker, Baz Luhrmann and wife Catherine Martin, to create its Christmas windows.
The windows and facade of Barneys New York on Madison Ave have been decorated in a theme the retailer is calling Baz Dazzled.
Luhrmann and Martin, teamed up with Barneys New York creative director, Dennis Freedman to create the holiday themed windows featuring luxurious, metallic textures.
Baz Dazzled uses classical woodland creatures which come to life. The story follows a contortionist b-boy elf, a wise old ‘True Owl’ who speaks the truth, a graffitiing squirrel who makes use of his gold spray paint through Barneys and beyond, and Celestina the ice princess, eternally skating and longing to be set free, with the whole mythical world ruled over by the Luna and Solar Queens.
Inspired by Luhrmann and Martin’s extensive background in film, opera, theatre, and music, the static comes alive in a series of live performances and interactive theatre. Each window presents a snippet of the characters’ stories.
“From the first time my wife Catherine Martin and I found ourselves in New York back in the ’80s, we always marveled at the way Barneys took the familiar and managed to turn it on its head,” said Luhrmann.
“This way of seeing the world is somewhat akin to our own creative philosophy. Here we are now, so many years later in our adopted home, honoured to join the pedigree of artists, performers, and creative organisations which have collaborated with Barneys, to take the familiar and turn it on its head.”
Barneys New York creative director, Dennis Freedman, said that by integrating live performance into the windows, the company is breaking the traditional mold of holiday windows.
Barneys New York, Luhrmann, and Martin collaborated with a cappella group Pentatonix, who exclusively scored and recorded custom versions of classics for installations.
Costumes for the characters have been created by designer, Zaldy, and Martin, with all performance elements featured in the windows directed by Luhrmann, Martin, Barneys New York, and Andrew Katz.
It’s not the first time this year Luhrmann has worked with retail. In August Luhrmann was responsible for the marketing campaign and launch party for Melbourne’s new Emporium shopping centre.
