GraceLand: Visual merchandising

We all need fantasy, and it can be found at Bergdorf's on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. Scatter My Ashes delves into the dream and desire that fashion evokes in all its lovers, and follows to objects and people that have led to making Bergdorf Goodmans the success story it is today.

While the film itself is slightly lacking in depth and detail, it doesn't prevent you from becoming utterly enchanted with dream like world of Bergdorf's. It's a place to escape from reality and step into this fantasy land where anything is possible. At one point in the film, Robert Verdi states: 'Being able to shop at Bergdorf's is an aphrodisiac', it's a place for pleasure and nothing more high brow than that. And I think that's what Bergdorf's prides itself on so much, that escapism, a safe haven of all things fashion and luxury. And what could be more luxurious than the shoe salon! Just the name itself makes you envisage a setting so lavish and sumptuous designed for the most pampering of experiences, and this is all within a shop! Though I should really be disciplined for referring to it just as a shop. It's an elite destination for designers and discerning clientele alike.

Designers & Fashion Elitists

From the very start of the film we are introduced to countless designers, celebrities and some of the most influential people in fashion, all of whom gush at how amazing and iconic it is. Much of that success has been from discovering and nurturing new talent. No one else could have done what Bergdorf did for their careers, and they know that. It's a benchmark for designers, that is where their aspirations lie, having their designs showcased in Bergdorf's is the making of a designer. In the words of one of the interviewees, 'If your clothes are not at that place, then your clothes have no future.' That seems to be the general consensus amongst most of the cast of the film. Everyone one of them when they spoke was both radiant and animated, showing the utmost adoration for Manhattan's most magical emporium.

One of the most emblematic characteristics of Bergdorf's is the huge window displays that every year capture the eyes and hearts of thousands. The status of the windows means that the clothes are designed to fit the windows instead of the other way around, with designers sometimes being commissioned to make dresses especially for the window, that's how prestigious they are. They're so full of action that often they look like stills from movies, not installations ultimately designed for selling clothes. It's a huge attraction for tourists, and I myself have every intention of visiting when I go to New York in January!

Just the most incredible visual merchandising ever, these windows are stunning!

While the documentary itself wasn't exactly academy award winning, more like one very long and ostentatious commercial, it has opened my eyes to the fascinating inner workings and remarkable untold tales of the history of the iconic Bergdorf's Goodman's.

It's luxury, It's glamour, It's so Sex In The City

One of my earliest memories of Christmas shopping probably goes back to when I was about 7(ish), with my parents taking my brother, sister and I to London on a cold December Saturday, wrapped up to our eyeballs in wooly scarves and hats and ambling us round the streets of Knightsbridge, Leicester Square, Oxford Street and all the major shopping haunts of Ye Olde London town. Back then I was probably more interested in Hamleys then Harvey Nicks, but the common factor that provided so much appeal has always been the Christmas window displays. Every year without fail gazing into shop windows at the gorgeous Christmas displays always leaves me feeling so festive. And who does it better then London’s most luxurious department store Harrods. This year I loved how they really embraced what I would consider a traditional Christmas, but of course with a glamouous Harrods twist. From the little mice having their own festive celebrations to Santa and his reindeer, I thought it was an extremely cute way of showcasing products and enticing passers by to come have a closer look, after all who can resist those sort of classic holiday scenes. It was almost like projecting a Christmas jumper into a rather huge shop window, and that would be a jumper I would want to wear!