For all gift retailers, the beginning of November heralds the start of creating their in store and Christmas window displays, with Fenwick in Newcastle today, (4 November), revealing an imaginative Christmas window series which is putting a twist on the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The windows will be soundtracked by a bespoke rendition of the carol, created and performed by Tyneside band, The Unthanks, in partnership with The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
“This festive season we’re bringing a touch of the unexpected,” explains Paul Baptiste, head of creative at Fenwick. “Our take on the classic Christmas carol honours timeless traditions of a familiar Christmas, while offering a fresh Fenwick perspective with a dash of surprise.”
The windows tell the story of a Foggy the partridge, and his quest to find Santa and make his pear tree grow. The storytelling begins in the broom cupboard of Santa’s workshop, and unfolds through Santa’s design studio, where two turtle doves, three French hens, and four calling birds are at work. It goes through to the secret workshop where Foggy discovers five golden rings before reaching Santa’s private office which is filled with six geese a-laying and seven swans a-swimming.
Santa’s helpers then spring into action – eight maids a-milking, nine ladies dancing and ten lords a-leaping – who pitch in to help Foggy’s pear tree grow. Eleven pipers piping, and twelve drummers drumming, add a sprinkle of Santa’s magic, with Foggy’s Christmas wish finally coming true.
“Our Christmas windows exhibit the talent of iconic British illustrator Chris Riddell OBE, and we hope people get to see them either in person or online,” comments Mia Fenwick, chief marketing officer at Fenwick.
Throughout this year’s Christmas window display, Fenwick will continue its commitment to supporting the local community with a partnership with the Newcastle Foodbank.
Before going ‘live’ today, the world of Foggy the Partridge was unveiled in front of a small number of invited guests, including children and families from Fenwick’s partner schools, hospitals and charities as well as the Christmas Window Reveal competition winners.
Fenwick, which first opened its doors in 1882, is the largest family-owned group of department stores in the UK, with eight stores and digital.
Fenwick.co.uk @FenwickOfficial
Above: Fenwick’s ‘The Twelve Days Of Christmas’ window re-imagined by illustrator Chris Riddell OBE.
