Al Hirschfeld, whose legendary quill pen captured virtually every well-known performing artist of the 20th century, will be celebrated by Henri Bendel. Guests are invited to the opening of this "Hirschfeld Spectacular," where all will enjoy a first-of-its-kind installation. Henri Bendel has worked hand-in-hand with Hirschfeld's exclusive gallery, the Margo Feiden Galleries Ltd., New York, to create a truly unique presentation of the late illustrator's work.
It all takes place at Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street during the holiday window reveal today, November 14th at 6:00PM. Evening Festivities and shopping will continue until 8:00 PM.
Following the window reveal, guests will be invited to shop for a cause; 10% of the proceeds from sales that evening will benefit The Actors Fund's Al Hirschfeld Free Clinic and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Visitors will see the main window of the Henri Bendel flagship store transformed into the resplendent formal dining room of a classic New York townhouse in the midst of a holiday party. The celebrated party guests-all Al Hirschfeld's line drawings translated into three dimensions-include: Carol Channing, Whoopi Goldberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Bernadette Peters, and Woody Allen. Carol Channing is as Hirschfeld drew her in "Hello Dolly!"; Sarah Jessica Parker appears as she was drawn in "Sex And The City"; Audrey Hepburn steps out of Hirschfeld's "Breakfast At Tiffany's" right into Bendel's window. At the right is the artist himself, Al Hirschfeld, brought into three dimensions from his most famous self-portrait. We see Hirschfeld working away at his drawing table, seated in his famed barber's chair. At the center of the window hangs a large gold-plated chandelier sparkling with Swarovski Elements. Bendel's is one party you won't want to miss this season!
The centerpiece of the atrium is Henri Bendel's iconic two-story tree, covered in malachite. Atop the tree is Al Hirschfeld's Charlie Chaplin, also sculpted in three dimensions, looking down at all who enter the store. Fifteen Swarovski chandeliers adorn the tree's many branches.
This fantasyland setting, inspired by the work of the late designer Tony Duquette, is further enhanced through trompe-l'oeil furniture and décor throughout the atrium.
In addition to the sculptures created from Hirschfeld drawings, Al Hirschfeld's original line art will be featured throughout Henri Bendel, including a two-story-high presentation of illustrations, all from the collection of the Margo Feiden Galleries Ltd., New York. Through Hirschfeld originals and facsimiles, visitors to Henri Bendel will be treated to a cornucopia of hundreds of characters from all the performing arts, covering almost the entire 20th Century.
Broadway actors abound: Mary Martin, Yul Brynner, AlfrEd Drake-Angela, Chita, and Tommy Tune-and the casts of "Phantom," "The Producers," "Hairspray," and "Les Mis." The many stars of the Silver Screen include Laurel & Hardy, Judy Garland in "The Wizard Of Oz," and Gable and Leigh in "Gone With The Wind." There's Katharine Hepburn, Liz Taylor, Cary Grant, and Gene Kelly; Fred Astaire twirls Ginger Rogers, and Julie Andrews flies over London as Mary Poppins. Television: from "I Love Lucy" to I love "The Golden Girls"-and Groucho, Gleason & Carney, Stiller & Meara. Once again Shatner and Nimoy are taking off in "Star Trek," and The Beatles are changing the world on Ed Sullivan. Music? Music: Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella, Lena, Elvis, and Frank, Mick, and Keith, Madonna, Jerry Garcia, Wynton Marsalis. Bendel even has Beethoven-and, of course, Hirschfeld's good friend Houdini, and Sherlock Holmes! The Henri Bendel Hirschfeld Spectacular has hundreds more. And every picture is worth a thousand words.
