Barneys New York plugs into Disney for ‘Electric Holiday’
From an over-the-top Lady Gaga to a fashion-forward Minnie Mouse? That, in a nutshell, is the direction Barneys New York is headed for with its 2012 holiday campaign.
The luxury retailer announced Wednesday that it has collaborated with Walt Disney Co. to give its retail stores a jolt of color and character for the all-important holiday shopping season with a combination of electric lights, music and Disney characters called “Electric Holiday,” following last year’s holiday campaign, which tapped the talents of Lady Gaga.
Wednesday’s announcement describes displays featuring “moving art” (moving mannequins of some sort, we presume, or perhaps live models) depicting fashion-forward versions of Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, Snow White, Princess Tiana, and Cruella de Vil as runway models on the Paris catwalk -- each dressed in a one-of a-kind look created by a well-known designer. The list of those featured includes Nicholas Ghesquière for Balenciaga, Oliver Rousteing for Balmain, Dolce & Gabbana, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Peter Copping for Nina Ricci, Proenza Schouler and, in what has to be our favorite mash-up of all time, Rick Owens.
The fantastical fashion show and window displays will be accompanied by a Disney-worthy light show and an original musical score by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino. To lend an authentic fashion-week feel to the whole affair, there’s apparently an accompanying short video that includes the featured designers as well as (and we quote) “revered hair and makeup artists, photographers, respected journalists and editors, and the celebrities and notable guests that typically attend the high-profile shows. The result depicts a unique, fantasy Paris show with all of the real-world elements of backstage, front-row and runway in illustrated form.” (Consider us intrigued by that.)
This being a partnership with Disney Consumer Products there is, of course, some seriously stylish merchandise involved, including collectible Vinylmation figures designed by Paul Smith and Diane von Furstenberg, holiday ornaments and -- wait for it -- Mickey Mouse ears designed by Rag & Bone and L’Wren Scott.
The “Electric Holiday” campaign -- and the Madison Avenue flagship’s windows -- will be unveiled on Nov. 14.
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