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The following pictures/poem is from the State Street Macy’s store in downtown Chicago. The long poem is broken up into nine stanzas, with each stanza etched on the window of the corresponding display. Enjoy!
Christmas approaches, and children begin
writing to Santa how good they’ve been.
Letters heartfelt, hopeful, sincere…
filled with charm and trust and cheer.
But how do those requests and wishes
for puppies and dolls, toys and fishes
whirl their way to the North Pole?
(Hint: Believing speeds your mail to its goal.)
You heard right. In this tough economy, not even Santa’s reindeer and elves are safe. In the Christmas window displays at Macy’s on State Street, the windows feature robotic reindeer and elves overseeing the process of making sure childrens’ “Dear Santa” letters get to the Big Guy.
In an unofficial statement (READ: one that I have completely made up), a Macy’s spokeswoman said, “This year the reindeers and elves usually displayed in our windows joined a union and demanded better pay. We simply did not have the budget, so we hired a bunch of robots who would work for half the price.”
When I called the North Pole, a Chris Kringle spokesman said, “No comment.”
Macy’s Christmas window displays in Chicago have been getting a lot of heat lately, some people even saying they suck.
I think the displays are cute and fun to look at, though some of the robotic reindeers look scary (see above). Despite the complaints I think it is worth it to check them out and check out the Walnut room inside Macy’s while your at it. The tree this year is boring but shiny, and we all know how much you love shiny objects.
Dev xx
Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's.
Today I attended a press event at Macy’s in the historic Marshall Fields building downtown. The event was held by Fashion Focus Chicago and, among other things, discussed how to make Chicago a major competitor in the fashion world.
The Chicago Fashion Incubator is one such initiative which is supposed to help make this possible.
The Incubator is a project that involves six local designers and gives them the space, means, and direction to become successful at their craft. (If this is sounding strangely like Project Runway, you’re probably not too far off.) Through an exclusive agreement with Macy’s, the designers will have their clothes sold at the store. The entire 7th floor of the Macy’s on State St. has some designs on display.
Chicago's Mayor Richard M. Daley.
The interesting part of the presentation undoubtedly was the presenters. Mayor Daley and the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs spearheaded Fashion Focus and cited the desire to bring Chicago to the forefront of the fashion community. (What took them so long?)
Mayor Daley then introduced Macy’s CEO Terry Lundgren, who reinforced the importance of retail and his mission to bring America out of economic turmoil through shopping. Nice thought.
But the most exciting part of the whole event was the introduction of Principal Designer for the Fashion Incubator project, Tommy Hilfiger. As a product of the ’90s, I proudly wore his clothes and still harbored some of that same enthusiasm as I saw him speak this afternoon.
He spoke of the changing world of fashion, how none of us know what to expect next–but that he was going to be there to witness it–on the 7th floor of Macy’s, over the course of the project.
Pricipal Designer of the Fashion Incubator, Tommy Hilfiger.
There is no Fashion Week in Chicago per se.. only Fashion Focus. Same concept, different availability of high-end designers.. if any.
I’d argue that’s the unique part of the Chicago Fashion scene. Less pretentious and much more attainable. The fashion show that followed the press event, for instance, displayed designs from local designers that will be featured in the Fashion Focus this Fall.
The designs were nothing earth-shattering: simple, subdued tones, ruffles, new takes on angular designs. Certainly nothing that would encompass the term “haute couture.” They were designs that one could spot just as easily in local boutiques as on women on the street.
Yet that’s the charm of Chicago fashion. The ready-to-wear aspect that is both sensible and economical. That corn-fed, down-home, American style that has been missing a bit from the style scene since my bygone middle school days.
I’m definitely looking forward to what’s next. (Cut below to some additional photos from the event.)
See you at “fashion week”!
-Ileana
It’s almost here!
New York and Paris fashion weeks are finished, but our fun is only beginning. Though the line up of runway shows do not compare to those of the aforementioned veterans, it is certainly a worthy start. With shows by Macy’s and the fashion incubator designers, as well as local designers. Let us not forget that some of the greats, like Zac Posen, got their start here!
I was a bit disconcerted yesterday when talking to a colleague about Chicago fashion. He insinuated that people can get away with a lot as far as under-dressing as this is the Midwest. Could this be true? I have noticed many an avid fashion enthusiast walking the streets, especially in this enviable fall weather. Peacoats, opaque tights and boots are invading the concrete runways and I think this bodes well for the future.
The other night while watching The September Issue (which follows famed VOGUE Editor in Chief Anna Wintour), I was struck with the absurdity of how NYC is the only U.S. hub for fashion editorial. As long as Chicago makes a real, conscious effort to embrace fashion, I truly believe we can real competitors with the Big Apple. For one thing, our rent is MUCH cheaper. Done and done!
I’ll keep you all updated on Fashion Week– yours truly will be at the shows and capturing all the action and excitement.
-Ileana
Yes, you heard right!!!!!
Martha Stewart, domestic demi-god, is coming to Chicago for a book signing TOMORROW (May 1st). I have class but that does not mean you cannot do what I wish I was doing and go and get your brand new copy of “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School: Lessons and Recipes for the Home Cook,” SIGNED!!!
Here are the details you need to know:
- When: May 1 at 1 p.m.
- Price: Free (and PRICELESS!!!)
- Event Phone Number: 312-781-1000
@ Macy’s on 111 N. State St.
Dev xx
