Galeries Lafayette marks its 130th Christmas with a magical festival of light, featuring 'upcycled glamor' window displays by designer Kevin Germanier. An enchanting, sustainable holiday experience awaits!
Guest of Honor : Interview with Kevin Germanier
Can you tell us a little about yourself and background?
My name’s Kevin Germanier and I’m from Switzerland. I won top prize in an international award program, and in 2018 I decided to start my own label. The Germanier brand takes a fresh approach to sustainable fashion, transforming upcycled mate-rials into dazzling designs!
How would you define the Germanier aesthetic?
Germanier is a vibrant world revolving around super glamorous looks that steal the show – all with upcycled materials. My idea of fashion is to light up people’s lives!
How are your emotions reflected in your approach?
Germanier is how I express myself; it’s an essential outlet for my emotions. This extends beyond fashion. My approach to fashion is ethical but not moralistic. I want to bring fun and joy into people’s lives!
How would you describe the Germanier woman?
The Germanier woman is as much Lady Gaga as it is my granny! She’s happy to have all eyes on her: when she enters the room, her aim is to dazzle, bringing it off with subtlety and panache.
What’s your personal connection with Galeries Lafayette?
Again, it’s a family-related and emo-tionally-driven connection. When I was little, my parents would treat me with a trip to Paris to see the store’s Christmas window displays.
The Star of Christmas
Kevin Germanier has also designed a monumental outfit – the star of fashion. A veritable architectural creation, this dazzling, futuristic costume is entirely hand-embroidered with silver sequins and holograph-coloured stars. The star will be on display at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann this winter and will also feature in a series of stunning visuals as part of a nationwide ad campaign.
130 Years of Enchanting Christmas Windows
Each year, Galeries Lafayette brings festive magic to life with a fresh take on tradition. This Christmas, celebrating the store’s 130th anniversary, the displays honor its history while embracing a modern vision. “Our windows connect past, present, and future,” says creative director Benoît Laumaille. The design team delved into archives to revive iconic elements for this special season.
Fashion designer Kevin Germanier added his sustainable touch by using only deadstock materials for costumes, reflecting a shared commitment to meaningful, eco-friendly fashion. Light—central to both Galeries Lafayette and Paris as the “City of Light”—plays a key role, creating a dazzling tribute to the season.
“Over the festive period, store window displays are designed to create a captivating visual story and draw people in. More than most, with 130 years'experience, Galeries Lafayette is expected to rise to this promise - a pressure we embrace with passion!"Benoît LAUMAILLE, Creative Director at Galeries Lafayette
The 130th Christmas Tree
At Galeries Lafayette, the giant Christmas tree has always been a passionate affair! The monumental tree takes centrestage below the iconic glass dome, filling the store with all the magic of Christmas. For this year’s special 130th Christmas celebrations, the tree also symbolises the connection between the store’s heritage and its 21st century contemporary focus. The inspiration for the tree comes from a blend of Christmas window scenes from the 1950’s, as well as the recently restored Byzantine facade. And for an additional wow factor, it’s packed with state-of-the-art technology: adorned with a blaze of 20,000 programmable lights, the tree towers like a giant chandelier in the heart of the store, coming to life in a sumptuous sound & light show. The connection with Kevin Germanier’s creations is made through these breathtaking light features that fill the store. And crowning the Christmas tree is fibre-optic firework effect lighting, directly inspired by the designer’s dazzling dresses.
In-Store Events
Santas Go Green
Galeries Lafayette invites shoppers to support the charity Secours Populaire by rounding up at checkout from November 2 to December 31. Donations will be collected by the charity’s Green Father Christmases, volunteers who assist Santa by organizing parades and gift-wrapping fundraisers across France. Participating stores include Paris Haussmann, Champs-Elysées, Marseille Bourse, and others.
WICKED X Galeries Lafayette
In celebration of the December 4 French release of Wicked, Galeries Lafayette Champs-Elysées will be transformed with vibrant film-inspired decor. Visitors can follow the Yellow Brick Road to a giant Christmas tree and discover exclusive Wicked-themed gifts, including apparel, beauty items, Mattel dolls, and Lego sets.
Santa’s Studio at All French Stores
Capture festive memories at Santa’s Studio, available in stores across France, with a chance to win prizes for young visitors and the young at heart.
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