Julie Ducat: from Theater to Commercial Space

Every holiday season, Parisians and visitors alike pause in awe in front of Printemps Haussmann’s dazzling window displays. Behind these magical creations stands Julie Ducat, the artistic director whose vision transforms the iconic department store into a living work of art. With a career spanning over two decades in scenography, Ducat has redefined the art of window dressing, blending tradition with bold innovation.

From Theater to Retail: A Creative Journey

Ducat’s path to becoming Printemps’ artistic director was anything but conventional. Trained in theater set design, she initially worked in opera and contemporary art installations before transitioning to commercial spaces. Her background in storytelling and spatial design gives Printemps’ displays their cinematic quality—each window tells a narrative, whether it’s a whimsical winter wonderland or a futuristic fashion fantasy.

What sets Ducat apart is her ability to merge high art with commercial appeal. “A window display must stop people in their tracks,” she explains. “It’s not just about selling products; it’s about creating an emotion, a memory tied to the brand.” Her work has earned Printemps international acclaim, with displays often going viral on social media and attracting crowds that rival those of Paris’ top museums.

The 2024 Holiday Spectacle: A Glimpse into the Future

This year’s holiday windows, unveiled in November 2024, push boundaries with a theme inspired by “Paris in 2050.” Ducat and her team collaborated with digital artists and sustainable material specialists to craft a futuristic yet nostalgic vision. The displays feature interactive elements—augmented reality projections that respond to passersby’s movements—and eco-conscious materials like recycled textiles and biodegradable resins.

“The challenge was to imagine a future that feels both aspirational and familiar,” Ducat shares. “Paris will always be Paris, but how do we reinterpret its magic for new generations?” The result is a mesmerizing blend of Art Nouveau motifs and cutting-edge technology, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.

The 2025 Holiday Spectacle: Le Printemps in New York

Cette année, Le Printemps Haussmann célèbre Noël 2025 avec pour thème “New York“. Un thème choisi pour fêter l’ouverture, depuis Mars dernier, d’un Printemps à New York. 8 vitrines animées avec 135 personnages, visibles sur le boulevard Haussmann dans le 9e arrondissement jusqu’au 4 janvier 2026. Découvrez la magie de Noel aux côtés de Julie Ducat, scénographe pour le Printemps Haussmann.

Cette année, le Printemps Haussmann propose un voyage transatlantique féérique avec pour thème Un Noël à New York. Cette thématique célèbre l’ouverture du tout premier magasin américain de l’enseigne, inauguré en mars 2025 au cœur de Manhattan, à One Wall Street. Les vitrines du boulevard Haussmann racontent l’aventure d’une joyeuse bande de chiens explorateurs qui sillonnent les quartiers emblématiques de la Grosse Pomme, des marches du MET à la patinoire du Rockefeller Center. Les scènes, foisonnantes et drôles, sont conçues comme des cases de bande dessinée vivante, dans un style graphique noir et blanc inspiré des comics du New Yorker. Les 125 personnages animés sont, comme chaque année, confectionnés à la main par la couturière Valérie Cuter. Dans un souci d’écoresponsabilité, les décors et les personnages sont fabriqués à partir de matières naturelles et recyclables (carton, tissu). À l’intérieur, le traditionnel sapin de Noël de 8 mètres est installé sous la Coupole Wybo du 6e étage. Le Printemps renouvelle également son attraction signature sur les toits : la Patinoire de New York by FERRERO ROCHER, installée sur le rooftop du 7e étage, offrant une vue magique sur Paris, façon Rockefeller Center.

🗓️ Du 6 novembre au 31 décembre 2025
📍Printemps Haussmann – 64 boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris

Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Collaboration

Creating Printemps’ window displays is a year-round endeavor involving a team of 30 artisans, engineers, and designers. Ducat’s process begins with mood boards and sketches, followed by months of prototyping in a secret atelier outside Paris. “Every detail matters,” she insists. “From the angle of a mannequin’s gaze to the texture of a fabric, it all contributes to the story.”

One of her proudest achievements is the store’s commitment to sustainability. Since 2022, 80% of the materials used in the displays are reused or recycled. “Luxury and responsibility aren’t mutually exclusive,” Ducat asserts. “In fact, they enhance each other.” This ethos has made Printemps a leader in eco-conscious retail design, inspiring other department stores worldwide.

Why Paris Loves Julie Ducat

Ducat’s work has become a cultural touchstone in Paris, a city where art and commerce have long been intertwined. Her displays are more than marketing—they’re public art installations that spark joy and conversation. During the holidays, families plan their shopping trips around the unveiling of the new windows, and tourists add Printemps to their must-see lists alongside the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

For Ducat, the greatest reward is seeing people’s reactions. “When a child presses their nose against the glass in wonder, or a couple takes a selfie in front of a display, that’s when I know we’ve succeeded,” she says. In a digital age, her work reminds us of the power of tangible, shared experiences—something Paris does better than anywhere else.

What’s Next for Printemps’ Window Wonderland?

Looking ahead, Ducat hints at even more immersive experiences, including collaborations with virtual reality artists and AI-generated designs. Yet, she remains committed to the handcrafted essence that makes Printemps’ windows unique. “Technology is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity,” she notes.

As Paris continues to evolve, so too will its retail landscapes. But one thing is certain: with Julie Ducat at the helm, Printemps Haussmann will remain a beacon of artistic innovation, proving that even in the age of e-commerce, the magic of a beautifully crafted window display is irreplaceable.

For those visiting Paris this season, a stroll past Printemps Haussmann isn’t just shopping—it’s an encounter with living art. And that’s exactly how Julie Ducat wants it.