On The Menu: Christmas special

Christmas is just round the corner, and people around the world are gearing up for the festivities.  Here, in the Tropics, the magic of Christmas is kind of lost without snow, but there's no doubt that the festive season is on.  The proof : department stores worldwide have just unveiled their Christmas window displays, and there's nothing better to get everybody in celebration mode!

All aboard the Harrods express!

The iconic London store definitely lived up to its image of luxury and decadence by unveiling it's Christmas set inspired by the classic British steam train.  The set, which took 50 people three weeks to complete, features festive fashion, accessories and homewares from the store, and the star item is definitely the Ralph & Russo gown dripping in Swarovski.

Each carriage, all framed by twinkling hedgerows and glittering fairylights, depicts glamorous dinner parties and the mannequins decked up in the most decadent gowns will definitely satisfy Harrods' international clientele and leave the rest of us dreaming. 

At au printemps, in Paris, the theme is "Noel, Joyeuse Obsession".  Taking enchanted holiday seasons as inspiration, designer Miuccia Prada designed the 11 Christmas windows, 4 of which features teddy bears wearing dresses especially designed by the designer herself and animated by Puppeteer Jean-Claude Dehix.  The 7 other  windows showcases lust-worthy Prada products, from bags to shoes, that will most definitely delight any fashionista! 

Well, what can I say about the Selfridges window display in London?  Using famous worldwide landmarks as its background,  the Selfridges team made the products the stars of the window by super-sizing them.  And, I must say, the effect is quite spectacular 'cause I can't quite look away from that YSL clutch!

The window displays at Galeries Lafayette made me wish I lived in a fairytail.  Unveiled by Lea Seydoux and her co-star from her upcoming movie "Beauty and the Beast", 5 of the windows depicts scenes from their movie and most interestingly, an interactive window allows passers-by to visit the secret area of the Beast!

The 12 other animated window displays tell a story that seems to come out from a children storybook.  The protagonists are Lily, the doll, and Martin, the bear who received a mysterious invitation ...

Brownie points go to John Lewis for their creativity.  Using "Winter Woodland" as theme, they used various housewares to make winter animals.  And my favourites: the dear made from vacuum cleaner parts and the turkey made from bathroom towels and a soap dispenser as beak (And this definitely makes it a very cuddly turkey)!

You can check out more cool window displays here.  Merry Christmas!