Chrismas windows 2006 (Moscow)

Windows of Moscow shops are decorated for Christmas usually later than in Europe since the most important holiday is celebrated on January the first. But every year more and more windows are being dressed closer to November. This year most of the shops finished window-dressing on the 1st of December and some trade centers prepared the new year décor even earlier – November 15. Meanwhile Moscow Christmas shop windows can not be called diverse. Tradition of a holiday décor appeared here relatively not long ago. Only traditional elements are currently used by most of the window-dressers – fir-trees, glass balls and snow.

But still one can see in Moscow original and stylish windows despite the above mentioned elements have been used for decoration. For example, in one of Bosco Family windows you will find a fir-tree-man in his home interior. Despite the simplicity of elements that have been used the window looks glamorous and expensive due to the golden color of mannequins and the right choice of interior elements.

Many shops also used traditional symbolism but in an unusual color scheme, material or size. You can see huge snow-balls in the windows of Escаda which in combination with black and white color of dresses make windows look fairy-tale but exquisite at the same time.

In MANGO shops you will find a golden fir-tree with black Christmas balls. In general using golden and silver colors in combination with black is an obvious tendency and a good substitution to the traditional Russian Christmas symbolism of white, green and blue. These combinations can be found in the windows of ZARA, TATUUM, TJ Collection, SASH, New Yorker.

An other popular element of window-dressing this year is masks. Most of the shops whose new year collections are in black have preferred to use this stylish and budget element. You will see various masks on the mannequins of MEXX, O’STIN, WILD ORCHID, WOOL STREET, DIM.

Many shops have also used elements of graphics in their window-dressing. Many shops placed Christmas greetings and wishes on the window glass (STRADIVARIUS, MANGO, O’STIN), others placed contour and silhouette of objects being used in internal decoration of a window like at ESCADA SPORT, PODIUM.

Disco-style decorated windows look very effective. Traditional new year symbolism is not used at all there (MONSOON) or the symbolism bears very modern looks (Santa-Clause in the windows of Central Store of Moscow wears a belt with a message “Sex” on it but due to using mirror balls and disco illumination windows look more festively compared to others.

There are windows which are especially interesting to look at for the customers. To be more precise it is interesting to “peep into the window”. Many shops have decorated sides of the windows with wide application frame. Such elements can be found in the windows of LEVI’S. In order to see the window in some shops you will need to approach it very close and look inside. CHANEL placed in the window a big key hole with jewelry inside. Black LOUIS VUITTON windows have only some small transparent gaps.

Through this paper window you can see the new PUMA merchandize.