To date, this is my favorite year of les vitrines animées de noël, but I will be reporting shortly on the 2010 impressions in Paris. The winter theme for these Printemps windows was totally in white with the same little funky tune for all windows. Here is a good quality video of several of the windows (not mine). It was difficult to pick a favorite among the series but the antlered deer trembling in fear with the wolves marching around with knives and forks was comical. Notice the bears raiding an open freezer, riding bikes and eating fish. How do they make this all work?(Please feel free to attend to my French)
You captured the light perfectly here, in spite of the all-white scene and darker faces. The little guy/gal in the front centre was so kind to turn your way at the right moment! I like the look of wonder in the eyes.
ReplyDeleteYes, beautiful light indeed, and the expression....
ReplyDeletehow lovely !!! big hugh Kathrin
ReplyDeleteChildren are marveling at shopwindows.And parents are marveling at children 's emotions!
ReplyDeleteThat kid is ADORABLE!Amazing picture and thanks so much for sharing the link for the window shop video, it's magnificent!
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Léia
This child reminds me so much of my own childhood and the good moments we had during Christmas-time, especially watching the beautifully decorated shops in Aachen/Germany (I lived nearby there). Such happy times! :)
ReplyDeleteBest greetings, Marjolijn
PS. every time I click your link I´m overwhelmed by this amazing header-picture of Paris... so beautiful in the sun.
I love the look on the face of the children as they look into animated windows. Just a delight ....
ReplyDeleteThe photo is so expressive, Genie. Brilliant shot.
ReplyDeleteAbout Bears. Raiding freezers and eating fish are so ursine, we just do it naturally. Don't even have to think about it. Riding bicycles? Takes practice.
Genie... great capture! It brought back memories from childhood.
ReplyDeleteJust magical !! the bear playing the violin is just gorgeous. this little girls eyes are like diamonds glistening at the awe of it all.
ReplyDeletexx
Dianne
What a cute munchkin!!! Definitely that year was my favorite so far......
ReplyDeleteOh forgot to add - the videos work on kids almost as well. Brooks LOVES them and keeps signing "encore!!"
ReplyDeleteOh—great shot, Genie! This little one is absolutely ébloui at the display. Thanks for the link—these definitely rival the Christmas windows on Fifth Avenue.
ReplyDeleteI had several days of catching up to do on your blog and as usual, every day was a delight. I have heard so much about the holiday windows in NYC, and the ones in Paris are beautiful as well. Urban sprawl, with it's cookie cutter malls, doesn't hold the same magical appeal as the window dressings on the street. Love it!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Ha! I'm not the one to attend to your excellent French Genie but I sure do love this photo. I think the little platforms that they so thoughtfully build for les mignons is wonderful. Then they get a front row seat!.
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Evan -- I actually have about 50 shots of these particular 4 or 5 windows with better views of the actual window, but I just loved seeing the faces of the little children as they leaned on the rails face-to-face with the action.
ReplyDeleteBibi -- I love children anyway, but the little French children are just precious... I love hearing their voices speaking that beautiful language.
Kathrin -- Merci à toi, mon amie, and a big hug to you as well
Malyss -- I was "high on the moment" marveling at the whole scene, looking like the crazy, over-zealous American, bien sûr!
Léia -- Merci, and glad that you enjoyed the video. So many from the early years are marginal in quality, but this one is not too long and covers the scene quite well.
Marjolijn -- The Christmas displays all over Europe are just exquisite and I need to get to Germany some year between Christmas and the New Year to enjoy the festive atmosphere. (I would change the header but it makes me happy and remembering the moment it was taken -- Merci, mon amie!)
Julie -- There are lots of squeals of delight from children (and parents). It is obvious that it is a family outing to see the windows and probably part of their traditions for the holidays.
Bear -- I thought about you when I mentioned the bears. Did you see the little bear with a crab on his toe?
Andy -- Me too. One set of grandparents lived in Manhattan when I was a child and we spent Christmas in NYC at least twice. I still remember the windows and decorations (and skating in Rockefeller Center)
Dianne -- I am so fascinated about how this is all orchestrated and computerized. I will look for the link showing how it is all created and will post it on another day.
Holly -- Pack your warmest as it will be a bit chilly in Paris (hah). So, is Brooks signing in French or English?
Alexa -- My sister Nanette invited me to join her in NYC this weekend but I already had the Paris trip planned. Otherwise we would have met up to see the windows together, mon amie!
Liz -- Yes, it is hard to get the look with a cookie cutter mall. Many small towns and coastal areas here still decorate with lights galore and window decor, but not like Paris, NYC, and other cities.
Virginia -- well, none of the French speakers have made corrections so perhaps today is okay. Like you, I do want to be correct even though people like JB throw me off track (hah) with mollusks and fish sellers.
ReplyDeleteThere are two tiers of platforms for most of the stores which allows everyone a chance to get close. Most adults can see over the heads of the children, although some of us who are height-challenged have more trouble.
I love this picture. What fun would Christmas be without the little ones.
ReplyDeleteLoree -- I agree totally and think that the excitement they bring keeps us all young and vicariously sharing the anticipation and wonder.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing more French-Christmas pics :)
ReplyDeleteIndie.Tea -- And you will not be disappointed, my dear. (wink wink)
ReplyDeleteThe looks on the faces of the kids says all one needs to know.
ReplyDeletei like the candid expression on the child's face, he looks at the window display with such curiosity and wonderment.
ReplyDeletewell photographed!
Oh my, that face really does make the photo. You really want to pinch those cheeks.
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