Sir Elton John helped put a start to the holiday season at Saks Fifth Avenue on Tuesday night.
On Nov. 22, Saks celebrated the launch of its 2022 holiday campaign and an integrated partnership supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fund. The campaign officially kicked off with the Saks light show and window unveiling at the Saks Fifth Avenue New York Flagship, highlighted by a performance by John of his hit song “Your Song” right on Fifth Avenue itself.
Video by Emily Davenport
The six center windows on Fifth Avenue were inspired by the theme of heartwarming holiday gifts from years past and the partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The bright colors and whimsical aspects of the windows and the nostalgic games – including rocket ships and kaleidoscopes – are a nod to John and his personality.
For the first time ever, the Saks light show has dynamic lighting displays that illuminate from within the windows and coordinate with the light show on the building’s facade. The show features a holiday medley of Elton John songs, including “Step into Christmas,” “Cold Heart PNAU Remix,” “Your Song” and “Merry Christmas,” as well as new LEDs and over 600,000 individual points of light, making this year’s display more colorful and immersive than ever before.
Saks’ partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation includes a $1 million donation to the Rocket Fund, which helps to end the stigma around HIV/AIDS as well as put a stop to the discrimination that blocks those affected who need medical care.
“Saks is proud to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation and partner with Sir Elton John, who shares our passion for self expression through creativity and fashion,” says Marc Metrick, Saks CEO. “At Saks, we are committed to connecting with our customers through unique experiences and impactful partnerships. We’re pleased to work with this incredible organization to provide our customers with an opportunity to give back this holiday season and look forward to sharing this meaningful campaign across the total Saks Fifth Avenue experience.”
Saks’ partnership with the Elton John Foundation also includes a curated multi-vendor merchandise collection, dedicated holiday window displays at the Saks Fifth Avenue New York Flagship, two Saks Live events and editorial content across its digital platforms. $500,000 of proceeds from the multi-vendor merchandise collection, regardless of sales, will be a part of the $1 million donation. The collection, which has three dedicated window displays, is co-curated by Saks and John and features products across all categories from over 60 participating designers. Customers can shop the collection and read more about the partnership in The Edit, the Saks editorial hub for fashion news and style inspiration.
Both John and his husband David Furnish, who also serves as Chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and CEO of Rocket Entertainment Group will be participating in Saks Live events. On Nov. 29, Furnish will sit down with Versace’s Chief Creative Officer, Donatella Versace, to discuss fashion and philanthropy, and on Dec. 6, John and Gucci’s Creative Director, Alessandro Michele, discuss friendship, collaboration and commitments to philanthropy with a focus on the Elton John AIDS Foundation, in a conversation moderated by Furnish.
“I’m excited to collaborate with an iconic brand like Saks that is going the extra mile to make this world a brighter, more accepting place this holiday season and beyond,” says John. “While it’s the happiest time of the year for many, we mustn’t forget about the billions of people around the world for whom safety, respect, and dignity are not guaranteed. Saks’ generous support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Rocket Fund will help fuel our programs to bring an end to the stigma and discrimination that prevent so many people from accessing compassionate and life-saving HIV care.”
Presented by MasterCard, the lights and windows will be on view through Jan. 3, 2023. The show is now available to watch via Saks Live.
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