-WEEKEND WINDOWS-

Animated windows @LouisVuitton Fifth Ave. NYC

Morphing mannequins rock animated runways in the windows of Louis Vuitton Fifth Avenue this week. Set against moving motifs of the world's fashion capitals, the ladies of Louis V. cleverly flaunt spring styles. Do you prefer Paris to Milan? or Beijing to Hong Kong? Los Angelos or New York? Keep reading to see more.... 

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Gucci windows at 55th and 5th with dynamic video in the background

Both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain were "successful" public figures with signature empires and adoring fans. What happened? While suicide remains a deeply personal decision--unintelligible to most, I understand the premise of deep-rooted hurt; I've been there. Watching The Staircase this weekend, the subject of the mini-series, Michael Peterson declares, "I can't share my experience for the last 8 years with anybody-they wouldn't understand it. They have no way of knowing what that means. I could say, 'well.... I was in prison for 8 years.' People could say, 'oh.... that must have been terrible.'  It was.... No matter what I tell you can make you understand that or realize that. And so therefore, your world is very different from everybody else's world..." This week's windows at Gucci project support and solidarity; be reminded that someone you know may be suffering in silence. Take a minute to text someone a hearty hello; it may change their world... 

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

 Gucci F/W 2017 windows on Fifth Ave.

Five letters manifest a movement founded on a premise of power--first the situation, then the silence, and now empowerment to come forward. The predatory prominence of Harvey Weinstein predicates an outpouring of #MeToo and a comraderie through comisery. Yet beyond the American entertainment industry, different views between men and women continue to fuel controversial conversation (See this article on foreign policy.com). This week's windows at Gucci seems to fit the mood. Keep reading to see the rest...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Guess which storefront? // Fifth Ave. NYC

Even after 3 decades, the quips that surface on account of race haven't ceased (and still cease to amaze). "I know you-- you're that actress"--No, but I'll take it as a compliment. "Are you related to Bruce Lee?" Ha!Wishful thinking! "Your English is so good!" I hope so; Born and raised in the US! Unbeknownst to some, subconscious bias is baked into the day-to-day. Selected to participate in a "Connect to Success" program at work, the premise of promoting "equality" and "diversity" in the workplace unfolds through a pairing of "minorities" with Management "Mentors" (most of whom happen to be white). The message straddled embarrassing and insulting, "This program exists to give you a leg up, because diverse staff are often overlooked because of the way they look or their cultural background." Yikes. Something to reflect on--Where do your subconscious biases lie? 

CACTUS DE CARTIER

 Beautiful Cactus de Cartier rooftop lounge at the Fifth Avenue Flagship (on a rainy day)

Opulent 'out-of-reach' luxury paired with tight security often marks Cartier as less inviting, when compared to Fifth Avenue counterparts. Yet since a dramatic re-opening of its Fifth Ave. flagship in September 2016, the fine jeweler has been strategically successful in connecting with new and diverse clientele. This month, Cartier invites the general public onto its rooftop for cocktails and to view a curated selection of its Cactus de Cartier collection. Keep reading for a look inside...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

 Tiffany's, Fifth Ave.

Beautiful brides (and Bridezillas) become "wives" at the height of summer wedding season. This week, wireform wedding inspiration fills the windows at Tiffany's Fifth Ave., showcasing popular NYC proposal sites and related jewelry. Do you dream of the day, or remember the moment when? Keep reading to have a look at this week's windows...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Louis Vuitton on Fifth Ave.

It's time! This weekend, impulsively indulge in those "once in a blue moon" activities. On Saturday, stare skyward to see the third of four full moons this season. Dubbed a 'blue moon,' its next return will be January 31, 2018! Sunday evening, Mars will be visible from dusk to dawn, shining 80 times brighter than usual as Earth wedges between the Moon and Mars. A week after "opposition," Mars will approach Earth--closer than any point in over 10 years. Apropos for the occasion, Louis Vuitton's Fifth Ave. windows digitally display the shifting stages of the Moon and Mars. To celebrate the solar system, my Honey and I have rezzies at Chef's Club by Food and Wine and brunch plans at Calle Ocho. How about you? Keep reading to see the week's windows...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

 Polo Ralph Lauren, Fifth Avenue

Dedicating a day to detox from a frantic first quarter, I head uptown to the Met Museum (Manus x Machina post forthcoming). Though feeling genuinely guilty for initiating an interim interlude, a day away gives me the chance to think and thank. In waiting for public transit (allowing time to write this Wednesday Window post), I weigh whether the overtime investment is worthwhile. Opportunity cost outlines the year I spent working, wincing and writing, showing the grass isn't greener on the other side--just a different shade. My conclusion? I work for the 'smartest guy in the room' and despite sidebars and 'special projects,' I am surrounded by a tight team, whose faults and flaws aside, present abounding elements of aspiration. A lifestyle of lackadaisical latitude isn't fully satisfying, nor an accumulation of constant chaos. My goal within the next quarter is to secure self-sustainability, somehow. Keep reading to see the laid-back looks at Polo, Ralph Lauren this week...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Lovely ladies ready for spring in the windows of Ralph Lauren Fifth Ave

Digital devices influence the way we interact. Casual conversation carries cuteness through emoji, bitmoji and emoticons. With convenience and enhanced communication come corresponding channels for cyber-bullying and stalking. In this world of instant, choose wisely... Keep Reading to see the windows at POLO Ralph Lauren's Fifth Ave. Shop...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Gucci, Fifth Ave

Walking wallflowers pepper the City with ethereal energy. Taking a humdrum approach to happiness, silent heroes hope to be heard and not seen. This week, the windows at Gucci Fifth Ave. invite us to stand up, blend in and make a statement. Keep reading to see this week's windows...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Louis Vuitton Fifth Ave.  

With age comes an affluent appreciation of time and increasingly affordable indulgences. Experience starts setting standards of 'success' and fancy food becomes one of many flavors of 'fun.' The course towards 'content' creates a caution to consciously curb catastrophe; life laments laziness. This week, revisit the bucket list--what have you crossed off so far? While contemplating, take a look at this week's windows at Louis Vuitton...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Polo Ralph Lauren on 5th Ave. 

Despite the touts  of "equality" at the tip of political tongues and at the top of activists' agendas, I raise a toast to "men" this week. To begin, new and notable brands present collections at Men's Fashion Week in London. By Wednesday, saucy sneakers, stylists and show-goers thin out as Fashion Week concludes. The week ends with Father's Day on Sunday. This weeks' windows at Polo Ralph Lauren nudge and nod at the dads and dudes in our lives. Thanks for life, dad! Keep reading to see more RL windows set in assorted man-centric spaces...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Ave.

As the saying goes, "Ignorance is Bliss," hinting that happiness follows the footsteps of naivety. In drawing a divide between ignoring the obvious and being obliviously ignorant, there spawns a sense of morality... right? On the heels of Andrew Morgan's True Cost--another exposé on the faux pas of fast fashion--how many now uncomfortably support sweatshop-produced style, after being educated on the abhorable actions of the apparel industry? Yet, devoid of the spirit of ignorant bliss, how many will end up happier, because "knowing" put them on a path of positive change? Take a moment to ponder your position (on sustainable style) and take a peek at Bergdorf's Fifth Ave. windows while you're at it. Happy Wednesday!... 

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Polo Ralph Lauren, Fifth Ave. and 55th St. 

Mainstays of Manhattan living include laudromats, bodegas, gyms, libraries and brownstone boutiques, among others. This week's windows at Polo Ralph Lauren Fifth Avenue highlight City haunts albeit too familiar to repeat customers. As spring break approaches, sightseers scout special spots while City dwellers relish in the comfort of closeness. Keep reading to see all the options... 

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Louis Vuitton on 57th St. and 5th Ave.; CL = Christian Louboutin, one of LV's Iconoclasts

Both presents and "presence" steal the spotlight in Louis Vuitton's Fifth Ave. windows. A play on signatures and signature designers, LV features 6 iconoclasts in its 160th anniversary celebrating monogram campaign. Alongside their initials, Christian Louboutin, Cindy Sherman, Frank Gehry, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Newson and Rei Kawakubo each redefine the concept of 'signature' by injecting their unique personalities into an LV monogrammed piece. Keep reading for a peek at the products...

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

 Bergdorf Goodman, 5th Avenue between 57th and 58th Streets

Like clockwork, the mechanics of day-to-day pursuits become a homogenous blur. How replaceable is a repetitive routine? Bypassing emotion and exhaustion, robots replace inefficiencies in human activity. Awkward automation mimics an all-encompassing adeptness and we are left to wonder whether robots can rule the world. This week's windows at Bergdorf Goodman feature larger-than-life robots mingling with models á la mode. Have a look at the bunch--which is your favorite?

-WEDNESDAY WINDOWS-

Something borrowed, something blue… at A|X on 51st Street at 5th Ave.

Statements are made with words, wearables and (possibly) weeks' worth of wondering and wandering. Sometimes the simplest concepts require countless hours of careful contemplation. Conversely, complexity can be configured within a matter of minutes--thanks to technology. This week, textured whites and bolded brights become the bifurcated background of Armani Exchange's Fifth Ave. and Soho stores. Silently surprising or colorfully commanding--how do YOU make a statement?