Bringing Dior’s Christmas shopfront to life

Last Christmas, Dior showcased a fairytale scene with miniature Eiffel Towers stretching over several floors, large moving stars and floating handbags.

The mechanics behind such a project are less glamorous but vitally important, as each part must withstand the highs and lows of winter weather. Every year, designers build intricate displays that must function reliably across the Christmas period without maintenance, in rain, frost and wind. Robust and low-maintenance components are therefore in demand, but not always easy to find. This installation included large, illuminated stars with double doors which opened to reveal a Dior dressed figure that was pushed into view for onlookers. The designers were looking for an electrically driven guide that would not only be weather-resistant but also operate silently so as not to distract from the Christmas magic. “Ball screws were out of the question because moisture, dirt, dust and frost can affect function and smooth operation,” says Gianluca Lo Presti, technical director at Italian creative studio, Mammafotogramma.

“With the help of these weather-resistant parts from igus, the figures in the installation were able to move hundreds of times a day without failures for the entire Christmas season,” says Gianluca Lo Presti.

The drylin^® linear guide rail is made of corrosion-resistant aluminium with the holder for the figure mounted on a sled. When the hinged door opens, a motor rotates a lead screw to extend the holding device. The carriage then moves using four sliding plain bearings from igus, made of high-performance, self-lubricating plastic, allowing the carriage to move without any lubrication on the rail. “Unlike many oil-lubricated bearings, there is no risk of attracting dust and dirt that disrupts operation,” says igus. “In addition, the bearings function reliably even in sub-zero temperatures, without freezing or seizure.” According to Lo Presti, the sliding motion of the linear modules is also silent, “The technology has blended inconspicuously into the installation without disturbing the visuals.”

To take a closer look at the craftmanship behind this piece, visit:  https://mammafotogramma.com/projects/saks-to-montaigne/