Exclusive: first look at Harrods Christmas video and windows

See what Knightsbridge's most famous shopping destination has in store for shoppers this Christmas
Amira Hashish6 November 2015

Christmas comes to Harrods tomorrow (November 6) as the Knightsbridge store unveils its family focused Magical Marionettes theme.

Inspired by pantomime and traditional Venetian puppet shows, the pink and orange harlequin print is a leading icon across the brand.

This year’s Christmas windows have been designed to replicate theatre sets, draped with red velvet curtains, twinkling spotlights and festive decor.

Scenes from brands including Chanel, Miu Miu and Dior will line the streets surrounding the store. Along the Brompton Road, Burberry’s window will showcase their charming Thomas bears enjoying a night out at the theatre and Balenciaga’s window housing a swinging circus performer introduces the season’s must have accessories from a trapeze.

First look at Harrods Christmas windows

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Alexander Wells-Greco, Head of Visual Merchandising at Harrods said: “We really wanted to engage and interact with families, with children becoming the main focus and hero of the season. To bring this to life, we have raised the windows by 60 centimetres to create underfloor theatre scenes of Christmas mice preparing for the festivities, installed directly at children’s eye level. Movement has been included in each and every window to further create a magical environment for our customers.”

A production line of mice will create their Christmas orders at their workshop in Stella McCartney’s set. While Bottega Veneta’s AW15 handbag collection will balance along the strong man’s weights in the Magical Marionette circus tent. An oversized gingerbread house created by Rosalind Miller has a Hansel & Gretel twist, alongside an array of sweet treats from Godiva, East India Company and Laduree.

Snow globes galore: Harrods Christmas video animation

In addition to the store activity, Harrods has commissioned a short animated festive film. Deborah Bee, Director of Creative Marketing, says: “We wanted to show a different side to Harrods – one that is more stylish, cool, fun, engaging and innovative. Our creative team came up with the ideas behind the animation concept and then found a fantastic illustrator called Marcus Reed. His work is very stylised, he is not a children’s illustrator and that was important to us. We wanted a style that would appeal to all ages.”

Peter Pumpernickel is the star of the animation. Bee adds: “He is our hero mouse. He was dreamt up last year and was so popular with our customers that we decided to give him another outing. He is wearing our Christmas colours. You will also find Peter appearing in the famous Brompton Road windows and store. It all ties together. There are even cuddly Peters to buy, with a proportion of the sale going to our partner charity the NSPCC.”

Peter Pumpernickel is the star of the animation
Harrods

This weekend also marks the arrival of Father Christmas and the opening of the Harrods Christmas Grotto. Hans Crescent, adjacent to the store, will be transformed into a winter wonderland with reindeer and a festive photo booth for the Harrods Christmas Fair. The festive spirit transcends indoors with hand painted chocolate masterclasses from Chocolate Libertine’s Julie Devonald.

The menswear department is launching a complimentary monogramming pop-up from embroidered initials on dress shirts and handkerchiefs to hot stamping on luxury leather goods. Complimentary bottle engraving and personalisation from beauty brands Carolina Herrera, Chloe, Comme des Garcons, Prada, Valentino and Crème de la Mer will be available later this month. On November 28-29 former Great British Bake Off winner Cathryn Dresser is hosting Christmas recipe masterclasses in the cook shop.

“Harrods is well known for being a unique destination and the festive period means that there is no better time to visit the store,” says Wells-Greco.

Visit Harrods.com for updates.

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