THE WORLD OF DEPARTMENT STORES, review and giveaway

 Don't worry, this a delight of a read, your feet nor pocketbook will suffer.
Lavishly illustrated with photographs and ephemera from all over the world 'The World of Department Stores' by Vendome Press, offers a fascinating history of these centers of shopping and regional culture.

Born in the Gilded Age in France, the department store grew-up due to the industrial revolution, the rise of the middle class, and the invention of steel-frame architecture and the elevator.

Spectacular buildings heralded a new way of shopping, as entertainment rather than a laborious grind. 

 The department store quickly spread through Europe and Asia, then the New World by the great architects of the time

                                                                                       from Design Chic
Let's explore these temples of consumerism, where dreams were fulfilled

 Remember this chain from New York, now defunct, it was an elegant favorite of mine.

Personally entranced by the large collection of perfumes, one could find Armani, Prada, Gucci........all under one roof, plus the clothes, shoes, handbags.........ahhhh

 The most renown being Harrod's of London

 And Galleries Lafayette in Paris

Today the interest is waning, the chains in particular. But as we know, the winds of taste can quickly change.

Designed by Gustave Eiffel,  Bon Marche of Paris, is the very first department store

At Christmas they took on another veil of magic, especially the windows

And the great trees

The lavish Marshall Fields in Chicago, at Christmas were lunch around the "great" tree in the famed Walnut room was a family ritual.

 Regional favorites are Macy's in New York

 Wanamakers of Philadelphia

Internationally there is Liberty's of London

And GUM of Moscow, to mention a very few

 

Our Chicago institution was revered and tradition centered for numerous families. We used to meet my dear grandmother Minnie (love that name) under the clock. When it became Macy's, the uproar was tremendous. Many refuse to shop there to this day

To win a copy of this beautiful book, simply leave a comment

In the Geneva, Il. shop or via email, you can still shop for the renowned DEE GANN SANTA'S.

Dee is a local phenom that hand crafts each of her magical Santa's; the faces, beard, clothes.....for instance the sleeve of a Victorian garment becomes his cloak. Adornments are collected through the year truly adding to the individuality of each creation. 

Thank you Dee for selecting us annually to represent your treasures!

From Chicago wishing all of you a blessed Christmas season, filled with joy in your heart, a glow in your smile and well-being in your soul

Merry Christmas!
with love
Debra