Saks Fifth Avenue to Launch the Holiday Season with Snowflake & Bubble Light Show Spectacular and Special Performance by the American Ballet Theater

Since 1949, Saks Fifth Avenue’s world famous holiday displays have delighted children and adults alike. This year, the entire Fifth Avenue flagship comes alive with a dramatic light show projected onto the building; The Snowflake & Bubble Spectacular. Launching on the evening of November 21^st, with a performance by the American Ballet Theater. Saks Fifth Avenue’s holiday experience will be a revolutionary celebration of technology and fashion.

The show will be an updated twist on last year’s bubbles theme, joining the traditional Saks snowflakes as festive new symbols of joy and hope. The bubbles seemingly interact with snowflakes on the façade of the New York flagship store through state-of-the-art projection technology. The show will comprise of a full 3D model, which will be projected back onto the building to create a brighter, more impactful effect. It will utilize a custom-built 6-projector system and a new soundtrack, composed exclusively for the show, designed to bring the story of the Snowflake & the Bubble to life. The technology is made possible through accurately mapping the landmark building’s details into a computer and creating a vivid 3D projection that can appear to change the features of the building itself. The visual effects include snow gathering up on ledges, bubbles emerging from the windows, and the entire façade appearing to freeze over.

The new light show has been developed in partnership with internationally acclaimed marketing firm, Iris, whose extraordinary projections at the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2010 World Cup drew rave reviews.

Steve Sadove, Chairman and CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue remarked, "The snowflake has been part of the holidays at Saks for years, and this season we’re building on another festive element from last season: the bubble. The show is quite an undertaking, using state-of-the-art video technology to animate the entire Saks building. It, along with our windows will be a must-see for everyone spending the holiday season in New York.”

The Fifth Avenue windows will tie into the book, "Who Makes the Snow,” in which a little girl looks for the source of the bubbles and snowflakes that everyone sees on the façade of Saks. Extending over twelve along Fifth Avenue this year, the holiday windows will truly be the largest display in recent history. Incorporating fashion into the fantasy, Saks Fifth Avenue has commissioned the following designers, Alexander McQueen, Nina Ricci, Proenza Schouler, Stella McCartney, Haider Ackermann, Naeem Khan, Rag & Bone, Olivier Theyskens, Marchesa, and Erdem to create stunning, one-of-a-kind dresses to be included in each of the holiday vignettes.

This year, the holiday windows are brought to you by FIAT and MasterCard Worldwide, and their Priceless NYC campaign. The Fiat 500 by Gucci will be featured in one of the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows. The new Fiat 500 by Gucci limited-edition model represent the perfect combination of craftsmanship and style, and bring together two of Italy’s most respected brands. In the year that sees the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and Gucci’s 90th anniversary, these special editions of the iconic Fiat 500 and 500 Cabrio have been customized by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in partnership with Fiat’s Centro Stile.

About Saks Fifth Avenue

Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s preeminent specialty retailers, is renowned for its superlative American and international designer collections, its expertly edited assortment of handbags, shoes, jewelry, cosmetics and gifts, and the first-rate fashion expertise and exemplary client service of its Associates. Today, Saks operates 46 full-line stores in 22 states, 5 licensed stores in the Middle East and 2 licensed stores in Mexico City, 60 Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores and saks.com, the company’s online store. www.saks.com

About the FIAT Brand

The FIAT brand stands for discovery through passionate self-expression. It encourages people to be in charge of their lives, live confidently and celebrate the smallest of things with infectious excitement. That philosophy is embodied by the North American introduction of the iconic Fiat 500 or Cinquecento – a small car that lives big. Italian at heart and rooted in a rich heritage, the 500 is synonymous with modern simple design blending form, function and a pride of ownership that is genuine.

Reminiscent of the original Cinquecento, the 2012 Fiat 500 and Fiat 500c (Cabrio) build on the vehicle’s global popularity. Since its initial launch in 2007, more than 500,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 80 countries around the world. The model’s unquestionable popularity is the result of the Fiat 500’s great ability to deliver unmatched personalization options with advanced solutions in terms of quality, engine and passenger comfort. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 60 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (FIAT MultiAir® Turbo). www.fiat.com