Charitini Gkritzali Unveils Her Surreal Hermes Window Display Zurich

Whimsy and Hypnotic Elegance Merge as Charitini Gkritzali Teams Up with ECAL and Hermès

In a dazzling fusion of artistry and fashion, the picturesque streets of Zurich, Switzerland, bear witness to Charitini Gkritzali’s latest venture, a captivating Hermès storefront window display titled “The Astonishing Moment of Life.” Gkritzali’s enchanting creation, inspired by the Surrealist movement, breathes new life into the iconic Hermès boutique, inviting passersby into a realm where reality and imagination twirl in harmonious synchrony.

Embodying the 2023 annual theme of Astonishment set forth by the luxury brand, Gkritzali’s whimsical vision traces its origins to a profound yearning for the extraordinary concealed within the ordinary. The collaborative masterpiece, painstakingly crafted in conjunction with ECAL (Ecole cantonale d’art de Lausanne), embarks on a creative odyssey that starts with the seemingly mundane acts of daily existence—eating, dressing, and playing. These prosaic activities serve as Gkritzali’s canvas, upon which she meticulously paints geometric wonders and iconic Hermès accoutrements. The outcome? A pair of mesmerizing window displays that choreograph these elements into a narrative of unparalleled allure.

The Astonishing Moment of Life Enlivens the Mundane

At its core, “The Astonishing Moment of Life” seeks to imbue the familiar tapestry of our daily lives with a beguiling tapestry of magic and wonder. Drawing inspiration from the Surrealist movement, Charitini Gkritzali showcases a totem-like figure sauntering alongside their whimsical pet, a portrayal that masterfully dances with proportion, equilibrium, and an exuberant kaleidoscope of colors.

To breathe life into these original 2D conceptions and transform them into three-dimensional marvels adorning the windows of Hermès Zurich, the Greek virtuoso undertook a wondrous ‘collage’ of materials and textures. Papier-mâché, plaster, lacquered wood, natural wood, painted metal, and felt converged to give shape to her imaginative vision. Each whimsical inhabitant of these captivating displays manifests as a complex assemblage of geometric facets, meticulously engineered to ensure structural integrity while radiating an otherworldly charm. The majority of these intricacies were painstakingly handcrafted at the workshop, reaffirming the brand’s legacy of artisanal excellence and individuality.

As Charitini Gkritzali’s mesmerizing window display adorns the Hermès boutique in Zurich, it beckons all to step beyond the threshold of the ordinary into an enchanting dreamscape—a testament to the inimitable artistry and innovation of Hermès and the Surrealist muse herself.