Fifth Avenue's Holiday Windows + bicycles (naturally!)

David Byrne's high heel bike rack at 5 Ave. and 48th St.

Last Wednesday, after watching a screening of the new and fantastic French silent film The Artist at The Paris Theatre, the holiday window displays along 5th Ave were awaiting me. If anything, the heavy wind and rain that evening made for even more beautiful reflections and no crowds!

First off, Saks Fifth Avenue's windows never disappoint. This year their kinetic installation features a spiky stiletto wearing mannequin pealing her way seamlessly from window to window on a high wheel style bicycle!!! So super awesome. I simply don't know why I didn't take advantage of my phone's video function?!?

In the window at Gucci an Italian bicycle and (high) fashion brand collaboration... the single-speed leather and chrome detailed "Bianchi by Gucci"...

Okay, so while not bicycle related, a few others... Bergdorf Goodman's life sized animal themed windows which are so incredibly detailed they are worth a lengthy visit to take it all in. Here is just a snippet...

Louis Vuitton opted for a non-holiday circus theme while taking advantage of their two story vitrines...

And the fabulous carousel theme at Tiffany's - so incredibly dreamy and well executed...

Dekalb Market - open air market of all things Brooklyn

An empty lot + salvaged shipping containers + food vendors + design goods + a radio station... in downtown Brooklyn. A few weeks ago I rolled up to Dekalb Market on a Friday afternoon just before the evening commuters filed in and was happily surprised to find a number of interesting activities and vendors in the currently undeveloped lot at the corner of Flatbush Ave. and Willoughby which (someday, post-crisis) is destined to become the home to a high-rise. The space is so large it's also hosting events, workshops, has a farm and your likely to ask yourself, "Am I still in Brooklyn?!"

My friend Helene helped found BBOX Radio located in the market - they built out a container, fit out the space with equipment, crafted furniture, selected 20+ radio shows from an open call, and started streaming pre-recorded shows on their website. Loved hearing a live broadcast and watching the DJs through the containers glass windows.

The Pratt Design Incubator has a Pop-up shop which recently featured DARGELOS cycling accessories -- including the cool minimal Trans//Porter convertible tote/backpack which comes in this super nice bright red colour combo. 

And the ever popular... Lightning Vest!

3RD Ward's 'ShopBox' had a few cyclist friendly products on display including the Mopha Tool Roll and TOPO's mountain-meets-city street Klettersack -- both below.

Depending on your culinary mood, you'll find a cup of Joe, Sour Puss Pickles, 'international soul food' at Mazie's among the food vendors...

Pretty brilliant idea -- hope this becomes a trend with more vacant lots!

our cities ourselves on exhibit

Our Cities Ourselves: The Future of Transportation in Urban Life is on exhibit until September 15th at the Center for Architecture in NYC...

By 2030, sixty percent of the world’s population will live in cities. Sustainable transportation will be the key to the health of our cities, our own health, and the health of the environment.

Our Cities Ourselves envisions sustainable urban futures for ten major global cities: Ahmedabad, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Dar es Salaam, Guangzhou, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Mexico City, New York City and Rio de Janeiro. In each city, ITDP field offices and international architects propose ideal transportation futures grounded in current conditions. The proposals present safe, vibrant streets that promote social and economic equality, privilege mass transit, bicyclists and pedestrians, and drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The exhibition features a number of prototypes including the recumbent-like cargo bike 'Etta' designed by Nick Foley, a recent ID graduate from Pratt Institute. Some nice process shots...
Photos via Visual Syntax - thanks, Matthew

the bikes of Bleecker Street

vintage (and tiny) penny-farthing
in the window of the Italian cashmere boutique Brunello Cucinelli

Swedish brand GANT designed and produced a limited-edition
custom city bike for their Spring/Summer 2010 GANT Rugger line
- check out that über minimal chainguard

and vintage bikes for sale at Jack Spade
a collaboration with Landmark Vintage Bicycles

lèche-vitrine at Anthropologie

Current window display at Anthropologie on 5th Avenue. Through the window, spotted this bike equipped with two huge wicker baskets across the street...

lèche-vitrine: Paul Smith

The current window display at Paul Smith's 5th Ave. store with Electra bicycles courtesy of A Bicycle Shop
... btw, A Bicycle Shop moved (relatively recently) from 14th to 22nd Street