Carnaby Christmas lights – A chain reaction

Carnaby, famous for its astounding Christmas installations, brings another notable display this year from 14 November 2007. Designed by James Glancy Design the oversized and brightly coloured ‘paper chain’ installations, interlink through the main thoroughfare of Carnaby Street and connecting all twelve streets of the Carnaby area.

This Christmas, Carnaby is proudly supporting Barnardo’s Believe in Children campaign. Barnardo’s is one of the UK’s leading children’s charities working with 115,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK. The brightly coloured paper chains signify the global accord that is felt for Barnardo’s and are symbolic of a ‘childhood’ Christmas.

Carnaby will also play host to a Barnardo’s vintage clothing store over the Christmas period to help raise vital funds for the charity. The ‘pop up’ store is being launched at 11/12 Carnaby Street on Saturday 1 December 2007 and promises to create a chain reaction of its own.

Legendry songstress Dame Shirley Bassey has donated a stunning selection of her favourites which will be on sale alongside other donations from Barnardo’s celebrity supporters including a coat donated by Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis who played Gollum. The shop will also offer specially selected retro and vintage clothes, and a selection of records and books from the 70’s and 80’s.

This year the ‘paper chain’ design will utilise the Carnaby building up lighters to interact at night with the holographic finish of the Christmas decorations, therefore using no extra electricity for the display. Further to this, by using a highly reflective material and extremely bright colours, the oversized ‘paper chains’ will react to sunlight too, which removes the use of electricity during daylight hours altogether.

Simon Quayle, Shaftesbury PLC says; “Carnaby is constantly moving forward and this Christmas we are delighted to announce our support of Barnardo’s. The concept of the paper chains linking the streets of Carnaby and Barnardo’s together is extremely powerful”

Carnaby offers Christmas shoppers an array of dynamic and individual flagship stores, independent shops, bars and cafes and a unique selection of restaurants and nightclubs. Carnaby includes the world famous Carnaby Street, Newburgh Street, Kingly Court, Ganton Street, Fouberts Place, Kingly Street, Beak Street, Lowndes Court, Marlborough Court, Broadwick Street and Marshall Street.

Recent new store openings include FrostFrench, Cowshed, Criminal, howies, USA Pro, Albam, The Beauty Lounge, William and George and Hilfiger Denim.

For more information about Barnardo’s visit Barnardos.org.uk.

For more about Carnaby Street, log on to Carnaby.co.uk.