Auntie Claus at Saks Fifth Avenue

The Wonderful Windows at Saks Fifth Avenue 1999!

Auntie Claus was chosen to be the theme for Saks Fifth Avenue’s Holiday windows in 1999. They traveled to Cincinnati in 2000 and were in Atlanta in 2001.

Click on any of the pictures of the windows at the left to see a larger view of each of the windows, or select from the links below for more fun pictures from behind the scenes:

window models | Van Craig making the characters | general views of construction

Here are some of the folks at Saks Fifth Avenue responsible for these wonderful windows:

Window Director: Randall Yaw V.P. of Visual Promotions: Ken Smart

Production Manager: Tim Wisgerhof

Visual Merchandising Manager, Lighting: Gregory Ballweg

Here are some images from the window creators themselves, Spaeth Design, in New York City. Shown here are the set designs of the windows constructed by the wonderfully imaginative Michael Allen, giving you a sneak preview of what to look forward to. Also some of the three dimensional characters which were created by master sculptor Van Craig.

Spaeth Design has been in the window display business for 55 years. David Spaeth the current chairman and CEO started the animated window division 20 years ago. Here are the talented artists at Spaeth Design who have worked on Auntie Claus at Saks Fifth Avenue:

Set Designer: Michael Allen Sculpting and Costumes: Van Craig

Production Manager: Mitchell Yaven

Sculptor Coordinator: Ann Folger

Lead Animator: Jeffrey Beatty

Scenic Charge: Jason Hettel