Following a year which saw hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and flooding, retailers around the globe offered some comfort and joy through themes of fairy tales, hope and inspiration in their holiday window displays for 2005.

“We wanted to provide a little escapism from the worldwide tragedies, a little fantasy and some wonder to remind people of the beauty still in the world,” says Manoel Renha, Lord & Taylor's divisional vp, visual merchandising/fashion/special events.

Lord & Taylor joined Bloomingdale's in offering an escape to the world of make-believe and fairy tales in its annual display.

“Our theme created hope and inspiration to overcome the adversities and obstacles that always appear in the real world,” says Harry Medina, Bloomingdale's window director.

Others followed tradition in offering a delightful feast for shoppers' eyes.

“Our goal in producing these windows is simply to evoke the essence of the holidays: opulence, nostalgia, wonder and surprise,” says David Hoey, Bergdorf Goodman's window director.

Click on the links below to view Hoilday Windows.

Marshall Field's, Chicago

Bloomingdale's, New York

David Jones, Sydney

The Bay, Toronto

Lord & Taylor, New York

Bergdorf Goodman, New York

Shreve, Crump & Low, Boston

Sony Style, New York

Tiffany & Co., New York

Macy's Herald Square, New York

Old Navy, San Francisco

Timberland, Multiple Locations

Holt Renfrew, Toronto

JFK International Airport, Jamaica, N.Y.

More retail windows will be featured in the March issue of VM+SD.