This year, Bloomingdale’s teamed up with Swarovski to create the “Greatest Holiday Windows” on Lexington Avenue. Over 7.6 million Swarovski crystals went into the holiday windows depicting moments from The Greatest Showman, the story of how P.T. Barnum created the Greatest Show on Earth, which hits theaters December 20th. The six windows glitter with scenes from the movie including strong men and snake charmers, plus interactive elements and songs from the film. The windows were unveiled on November 21st with jaw-dropping circus acts and a special performance by Keala Settle who plays the Bearded Lady in The Greatest Showman. Actor and singer, Zendaya, who stars in the film as well as the Bloomingdale’s holiday campaign, also joined in on the unveiling festivities.
The Lexington Avenue windows awaken the senses with magical visuals and musical moments. As onlookers get closer to the glass they will hear the song that each window is inspired by.
“IT’S SHOWTIME” – The first window opens the show by drawing inspiration from The Greatest Showman’s song “From Now On”. The world’s tallest and smallest men, in Swarovski crystal-adorned hats, join forces to work the ticket booth for “The Greatest Windows on Lexington Avenue”. Behind them, a video wall morphs from circus tent stripes to peppermint inspired optical illusions. Visitors are invited to step right up and become part of the show as they push a button and watch in amazement as their faces magically appear on the screen inside the window.
“THE GREATEST SHOW” – The opening song of the movie, “The Greatest Show” provides the inspiration for the next window which features visionary showman P.T. Barnum in the circus ring introducing the oddities.
“A MILLION DREAMS” – Next, onlookers are taken inside P.T. Barnum’s vivid imagination as a boy with the song “A Million Dreams”. A forest of trees growing out of a run-down mansion is decorated with garlands made of Swarovski crystals. Two mannequins completely covered in Swarovski crystals represent floating shadows of circus performers. The video back wall represents Barnum’s vivid imagination, displaying more shadows of circus performers.
“COME ALIVE” – This window, inspired by the song, “Come Alive” represents the scene inside the American Museum. A larger than life carriage covered in Swarovski crystals is the focal point of this window. The snake charmer, strong man and tattooed lady also make an appearance in the scene while vintage circus posters are displayed in the background. Again, onlookers can join in on the fun by interacting with the Oracle to reveal their fortune.
“THIS IS ME” – “This is Me” is a celebration of the ODDITIES coming together as a family despite their differences. The Bearded Lady is the star of the window surrounded by Swarovski crystal-encrusted oddities. A rotating spotlight focuses on each oddity giving them their moment to shine. Holiday trees covered in champagne glasses set the celebratory scene.
“REWRITE THE STARS” – The magical window journey ends with a heartwarming scene inside the big top where Anne Wheeler and Phillip Carlyle, played by Zendaya and Zac Efron in the film, fall in love. Phillip watches in admiration as Anne perches on her trapeze bar with the night sky shimmering behind them illuminated by over 800 Swarovski Moravian Stars.