Everyone Loves a Parade

My latest assignment was to photograph the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade here in New York City.  Over the six hour period, I covered the activities that happened between 72nd and 79th Streets.

“The Fighting 69th” stepped off at 11:00am on 44th Street leading the line of march up 5th Avenue, passing Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, to 79th Street.   This was the first year in the parade’s history to be “all inclusive” allowing Irish groups from the gay community to celebrate.  Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the parade for the first time since being in office.  On this day everyone is Irish!

The participants and actives along 5th Avenue:

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Acting like children…

Even the dogs were festive:

The Parade starts at 11am at 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to 79th Street. It finishes around 4:30-5:00pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street. This photo was taken between 72nd and 79th Streets as the Parade moves up the avenue to completion.

The Parade starts at 11am at 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to 79th Street. It finishes around 4:30-5:00pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street. This photo was taken between 72nd and 79th Streets as the Parade moves up the avenue to completion.

The Parade starts at 11am at 44th Street, marching up Fifth Avenue—past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street—all the way to 79th Street. It finishes around 4:30-5:00pm at the American Irish Historical Society at East 80th Street. This photo was taken between 72nd and 79th Streets as the Parade moves up the avenue to completion.

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Fifth After Midnight: THREE CHURCHES

THREE CHURCHES will come to you as the final entry of this series.  Please take a moment to understand the extremes and ironies within these 10 blocks.

The most luxurious hotels, designers and jewels are available here.  Visitors from around the world plan their trips according to fashion calendars so that they may adorn themselves with the best & newest money can buy.

Along this section of Fifth Avenue are 3 churches interspersed among the shops.

One is a Cathedral brightly lit at all hours to keep it’s perimeter on view.

 

 Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church

and Saint Thomas Episcopal Church are a bit more welcoming.

Folks that can’t afford a metro card,  linger on these steps seeking possible refuge or at least a place to lay their heads for a few hours.

Fifth Avenue “spares no expense” for holiday lights and window displays.  As beautiful as it is, there is another side to consider.

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

Fifth After Midnight: THE JOURNEY TO ROCKEFELLER CENTER

We’ve been slowly strolling down Fifth Avenue towards the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.  Within 10 blocks, there is truly a vast array of architecture, culture and history.  People from all over the country work together to light up this space for pure enjoyment [and a little bit of commerce].  Some displays will become historic, some displays are historic.

No matter the origins or point of view, this is New York City-we are expected to push the envelope.

As I mentioned in the FENDI article, this series is a result of my curiosity to uncover the “behind the scenes” of the Rock Center Tree.  That chapter dear reader, will unfold at another time.

As the season comes to a close and the ball drops to begin the New Year, may you have a joyous celebration and a FABULOUS 2015!

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

Fifth After Midnight: POLO/RALPH LAUREN

1:44am on Monday November 10 the window designers were busy building the holiday displays at POLO/Ralph Lauren.  This store is on the corner of 55th Street at 5th Avenue with 2 windows facing 5th.  The window closest to East 55th Street seemed to involve the most effort.

 

When I returned on the 14th, the North window was completed.  The scene was set for a Nordic Photo Shoot.

 

 

The South window was taking time, still working out some of the details on the 16th.   On November 23 all was ready.

 

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Fifth After Midnight: TOMMY HILFIGER

 

The global Flagship Store for Tommy Hilfiger is located here on Fifth Avenue.  I witnessed the holiday transformation over a few early mornings.

The first was November 10, 2014 where the windows were well underway.  Four nights later on November 14 the wreaths and lights were being hung on the exterior.  Cherry pickers were assisting in the process.  On this night it was raining which made conditions a bit more challenging for the workers.

When I returned two days later on the 16th, all was done.  A welcoming log cabin has a fireplace to toast the marshmallows-pass the Egg Nog!

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Fifth After Midnight-BERGDORF GOODMAN

When I think of the store windows of Bergdorf Goodman the words   “elaborate” and “elegant” come to mind.  Whatever season of the year, these windows are created in an artistic and thoughtful manner.  One could guess that from story board to execution, the time it takes the idea to become the reality is weeks, even months.

“David Hoey, Bergdorf Goodman’s Senior Director of Visual Presentation, officially begins working on the store’s holiday windows with his team in January.”**

The Christmas Holiday windows are the final act of every year.  I draw similarity to 4th of July fireworks, when in the finale moments of explosions and light our emotions overwhelm.  Before these beautiful designs are revealed, white drapes are hung on the exterior of each window while the installations are completed.

On the morning of November 16 around 1:00am, I was able to peak behind the curtain and see the wizard, (or the talented men and women bringing these idea’s to life).

On Monday November 17 at 6:00pm the windows were revealed to the world.  This celebration included the lighting of the UNICEF Snowflake which hangs in the center of 5th Avenue & 57th Street and the commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas.

 

The next time I was able to get back to the windows was on November 23.  At 2:00am there were very few people on the street.  It was as if these windows were here just for me, to take in all of their glamour and grandeur.  I didn’t have to share them with anyone.

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

 

(**Courtesy of http://blogger.lookonline.com)

Fifth After Midnight-HARRY WINSTON

Harry Winston has a timeless, classic, elegant style.  Each year their Flagship Location on Fifth Avenue is decorated with green garland, blue & white lights and their signature Winston Cluster:

• Harry Winston celebrates the holidays with a tribute to its founder’s most iconic design, the Winston Cluster. Capturing the brilliance, beauty and enduring glamour of this timeless motif, clusters of meticulously crafted “diamonds” illuminate the House’s New York Salon façade, transforming the corner of 56^th Street and Fifth Avenue into a whimsical Winston Wonderland, for all to experience and enjoy.**

Around 1:30am on the morning of November 7, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time as the talented decorators transformed the building inside and out.

In researching Harry Winston I rediscovered some things long forgotten:

• Inspired by the endless energy of New York, Harry Winston opened his doors in 1932, and began a process of transformation. Winston transformed diamonds into art and revolutionized modern jewelry design. With enduring optimism, new generations of Winston designers and craftsmen collaborate to create infinitely beautiful jewels of unsurpassed style.

• From the legacy of the Hope Diamond to the sparkle of the red carpet, Harry Winston diamonds have become an icon of international glamour.

• In 1958, Mr. Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. as a gift to the world.**

A few mornings later I went back to see the façade it all its glory.  Rain was falling, it was magical.

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

 

(**Courtesy of http://www.harrywinston.com)

Fifth After Midnight: FENDI

This project started in 2013 as a way to gain understanding and history of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.  Last year I photographed the construction workers that decorate the tree.  This year I add a new layer to this story by photographing activity after midnight.  (Because when in New York City, a large-scale transformation can only happen then!)

My first morning out was November 7, 2014.  Let’s say being in the right place at the right time happened on this morning…but I jump ahead of myself.

Having committed to this story, it was important to walk Fifth Avenue multiple nights over multiple weeks.  Some windows took one night from start to finish.  Some took six weeks.

On November 10, at 1:36am I discovered the elves of FENDI transforming this window.

On November 14 at 2:53am their window was finished.

This FLAGSHIP location is at 677 5TH AVENUE.  Handbags for EVERYONE!

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

Fifth After Midnight: Preparations for the Holidays

Christmas is truly my favorite time of year.  And New York is the town that knows how to make things sparkle.

But who makes this happen?  This year I bring to you that answer from a small section of mid-town filled with history and glamour.  A ten block radius of Fifth Avenue, between 50th and 60th Streets.

Like Santa’s elves, these visual experts converge in the overnight hours to bring each store front to life.  Its a magical time, filled with anticipation and delight.

 

Here a window designer at Bergdorf Goodman peers behind the curtain to inspect his work at 1:20am on November 16. The unveiling to the world is a few days later.

 

As with the decorating of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, this doesn’t happen in just one night.  I invite you to stroll with me down Fifth Avenue to uncover the mystery and magic of the season in the city that never sleeps.

Please check back throughout December and follow along.

Until then, may you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®

The Tree Comes To Town (in the wee small hours of the morning…)

The 2014 Rockefeller Christmas Tree made its way into the city well after midnight November 7, 2014.

The NYPD escorted the 13-ton tree to Rockefeller Center arriving at 5th avenue around 2:00am, after a 155-mile journey from Danville, Pennsylvania.

The towering 85-foot Norway spruce donated by a central Pennsylvania family will remain on the flatbed of this 18 wheeler until daylight, when it is welcomed to
the final home on the plaza.

 

Until next time.

Teresa, 51art

adventure is life, live it! ®