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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 14:40:50 GMT
It's not my fault that Galeries Lafayette generally kicks off these threads, because it is the first place in Paris to inaugurate the Christmas season. However, I did notice that Printemps started simultaneously this year whereas in the past, it would do its Christmas stuff 3 or 4 days later. I think that one reason for this was the animated Windows. Since the same technician designs the effects for all of the department stores in Paris, he can't do everything simultaneously, and these primitive yet perfect effects require quite a bit of tweaking. The motors run about 16 hours a day and all of the nylon wires can get tangled really fast if just one element goes awry. I will return in the dark for the outside of the buildings and of course the animated windows. I was tempted to take a few pictures today already, but there were just too many reflections on the glass. I didn't check out all of the windows, but they seemed like they might be better than last year. There is still quite a bit of commercialism (which is only normal -- these people are trying to sell stuff!), but I saw that Printemps was a bit more playful than last year, when all of the creatures were playing with or sitting on the real merchandise. This year it appears that even though they show the items, they are either miniature copies or oversized copies, which makes them look like toys. You'll see soon enough....
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Nov 8, 2013 15:40:43 GMT
THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate the time you take and the detail you showed on the swatch tree - I am starting to warm up to it much more now after seeing the cute/weird creatures on the bottom up close. I understand that every hour this little village on the bottom comes to life? I have never been to Printemps and will check it out this year with the hubby. (already planning to bring a thermos cup from the US so our vin chaud doesn't get spilled while "rollin' around" LOL) I can't wait to see more and then see it for myself in ….…. 41 days?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2013 17:23:37 GMT
I am starting to warm up to it much more now after seeing the cute/weird creatures on the bottom up close. I understand that every hour this little village on the bottom comes to life? I guess you'll find out when I manage to post the video.
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Post by mossie on Nov 9, 2013 10:18:42 GMT
Thanks for making me jealous I had hoped to go next month myself but have decided to put off my next visit until the Spring. My hip has healed nicely, but the legs still don't move too freely, the blood is not circulating too well in the cold weather. My other job is on hold because the tablets are showing positive results and hopefully further work will not be required, great relief. Not that I was looking forward to that ;D ;D
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Post by lagatta on Nov 9, 2013 23:40:27 GMT
Note that Lagatta is among the cavorting critters, along with one of bixa's cute wee dogs...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 0:04:21 GMT
Yes, and you will see them in the shop windows as well, whenever I manage to post them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 10:08:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 12:28:02 GMT
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Post by mez on Nov 10, 2013 12:35:48 GMT
Fabulous!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 17:04:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 17:29:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 17:35:14 GMT
Here is the video for Galeries Lafayette. The Printemps video will be ready soon.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2013 21:24:10 GMT
Here is the much shorter Printemps video.
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Post by htmb on Nov 10, 2013 21:39:20 GMT
Nice photos and video, Kerouac. I can see why little children would find these displays entertaining.
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Nov 11, 2013 18:20:47 GMT
I just love all the bears Very cool photos Kerouac - I can't wait to see them !!!! And it's really funny to see the drunken ones LOL.
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Nov 11, 2013 18:41:33 GMT
Wonderfully edited video as well…. just had a chance to watch it all the way
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Post by woody77 on Nov 11, 2013 20:24:13 GMT
wow, I really need to head over there and take a look (with my daughter to see all the window displays). A very different "look" than it had back in July when I was last there.
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Post by lagatta on Nov 11, 2013 20:39:09 GMT
Obviously, lagatta is partial to the black cats...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2013 12:41:36 GMT
Lovely photos. We cannot match anything like that here. Paris goes all out at Christmas time. I bet it creates many great memories for the kids that live there.
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Post by lola on Nov 12, 2013 19:51:48 GMT
Wonderful, K2. Thanks so much for bringing that here.
I like Galeries L's better than last year, though then was plenty magical. I like the clock theme, and don't see Swatch name all over the place as Dior's seemed to be then.
Prada forsooth. And shoes on plates are mystifying.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2013 20:03:03 GMT
Last year, the Dior theme was at Printemps, just like Prada this year. Being bought by Qatar does not seem to have improved the situation, but at least the windows are not full of oil derricks.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 13:23:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 13:38:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 21:15:40 GMT
Not wanting to scare anybody away, but here is what Boulevard Haussmann looks like on a Sunday evening at 6pm when the department stores have not even been open during the day. Just try to imagine what it will look like in December.
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Post by htmb on Nov 25, 2013 21:23:57 GMT
You deserve an AnyPort award for heroism for braving the boulevard, Kerouac!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 21:37:05 GMT
I was just looking at my photos of the windows again and they are really lovely. If I had tried to take those photographs yesterday, I would have failed miserably.
You can see the windows in operation starting at 8am and at least until midnight, but the musical accompaniment can only be heard between 9am and 10pm -- and the music is a major plus. My own guess for the best time to go right now would probably be around 9am as long as the kids are still in school, but then again for anybody who wants to take photographs, the daytime reflections are atrocious, which means waiting until at least 6pm. There's just no way to win.
One thing that amused me yesterday was hearing all of the exhausted parents telling their small children "Okay, it's time to leave -- we've seen everything" and the kids saying "no we HAVEN'T!"
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Post by lola on Nov 25, 2013 22:58:41 GMT
Wonderful, K. I love the banners hanging over the streets in the different neighborhoods.
We were at the Hausmann windows mid evening on Christmas Eve last year, and it wasn't too very crowded.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2013 23:00:44 GMT
Indeed, only certified weirdos are out in places like that on Christmas eve. ;D
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Post by lola on Nov 25, 2013 23:21:03 GMT
Well, we kept waiting for your Christmas Eve bash invitation, K, and finally gave up.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2013 21:47:07 GMT
The Champs Elysées "hoop lights" have been adjusted once again since they will be with us for another three years. The garish colour changes have been reduced to a minimum, so most of the time they are just a neutral white, and I must admit that it makes them much easier to accept. About every 15 minutes or so, they do a little show of varying colours to justify their existence.
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